Katie Taylor remains the undisputed super lightweight champion of the world after narrowly beating Amanda Serrano in another beautiful but blood-soaked epic between these two equal and supreme fighters. The 95-94 victory on all three scorecards was not without controversy, as Serrano was cut horribly across his right eye by an accidental headbutt in the sixth. Taylor was warned twice for overusing her head and was deducted a point in the eighth round.

The typically brave, fiery and determined Serrano would have been a worthy winner, but Taylor showed incredible willpower and skill to triumph in the end. The fight against the champion was the best of her career, even though her victory was greeted by loud cheers from the American crowd.

In the main support for the manufactured headline bout between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, the rematch between Serrano and Taylor was by some distance the most important fight of a surreal night. They had fought a battle for the ages in April 2022, in one of the best fights ever at Madison Square Gardens, and the odds of them producing another classic seemed high. Serrano is 36 and Taylor 38, and both women are nearing the end of their powerful careers. But they again went to the source with unforgettable desire and tenacity.

Serrano came out flanked by the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. She wore a bulletproof vest to indicate she was ready for war. Taylor walked slowly and intently to the ring, as if determined to absorb the meaning of these moments. There might not be many left for her, or for Serrano, which is why they looked deeply concentrated before the first bell.

Their early caution soon gave way to some test exchanges. Near the end of the opening round, Serrano hit the champion with a heavy and shuddering left hand that rocked Taylor. She seemed dazed for a moment and slumped back against the ropes.

Serrano maintained a crisp and steady rhythm of punches – but Taylor found his footing in the third. Boxing and moving fluidly, she was able to withstand Serrano’s relentless pressure. In the fourth round, Taylor came in with her head and made a cut above Serrano’s right eye. Taylor won the firefighting blowouts, but early in the next round there was a much worse clash of heads as Taylor dived low and hard. Blood from the widening gash poured down Serrano’s face. She looked concerned when the referee stopped the fight so Serrano could be examined. It was a terrible cut, but she was allowed to return to the bloody battle.

Just before the end of round eight, Taylor was again warned for overusing her head and deducted a point. During the break, the full extent of the grotesque damage to Serrano’s eye was made clear on the big screen. The crowd barricaded Taylor.

Serrano took ninth place in another round. But the final round went to a much darker place. It was a brutal brawl where the fighters gave everything they had in a desperate search for victory. The crowd’s loud approval reached a crescendo as punches flew in faded exchanges. Serrano came up with tantalizing combinations, but Taylor kept coming back and just won the brutal decisive round.

The scorecards were read out under unbearable tension – and a draw was the least these exemplary fighters deserved.

Serrano had won world titles in seven different weight categories – which is both a stunning achievement and an indictment on women’s boxing, where the talent pool of elite female fighters is so small. She started gaining weight again to challenge Taylor, who has done more for women’s boxing than anyone in the sport. They are both remarkable, but the decision went to Taylor whose longevity and unquenchable desire to keep boxing continues – and is matched only by Serrano, her astonishing dance partner. Taylor and Serrano are both giants of the ring – and next year they will surely complete their compelling trilogy.