Serrano to defend WBA and WBO featherweight titles on TikTok stream, targets KO record

Amanda Serrano will defend her WBA and WBO featherweight titles against Lucrecia Manzur on Friday in California in the first world championship boxing event to be streamed live on TikTok. A 33rd stoppage in what would be Serrano's 50th professional victory would give her the most knockout wins in women's boxing history, eclipsing Christy Martin.

After 17 years in the sport, 54 professional fights and world titles across seven weight classes from super-flyweight to light-welterweight, the 37-year-old enters what the article describes as her penultimate appearance. Serrano turned professional in 2009 and matched Martin's 32 stoppages before the bout; she stopped Cheyenne Hanson in the second round in May. She only joined TikTok six months ago but has rapidly embraced the platform.

Addressing the move to headline on TikTok, Serrano said: "This is the social media era. We're in 2026. A lot of these young generations are constantly on the phone," and added: "They're always scrolling, scrolling and scrolling. So what better place [than TikTok]?" She described her activity on the app: "I do TikTok Lives every day at seven o'clock. I've grown a big fan base there - I call them my TikTok family," and said: "I do giveaways, give tickets away for my fights. They came to California, they came to El Paso. You do battles, you meet so many people. I'm excited to make history."

Serrano spoke about the personal aims that drive her preparation, saying: "That's what gets me up in the morning, working hard, training hard," and: "I always set myself little goals. Because if your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough." Reflecting on the knockout chase she added: "To tie was an honour, but now we have to break it. I don't like being tied."

She noted the change to two-minute rounds for this 12-round fight as a factor that could favour a stoppage: "We all want a knockout," Serrano said. "With the two minutes, I get to give it my all. It's so much higher pace than three minutes. I can just give everything."

Serrano's three fights with Katie Taylor comprised 30 rounds and were described as historic, with two of those bouts shown on Netflix and Taylor winning all three by decision. She credited Most Valuable Promotions co-founders Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul with helping transform her career and the sport, saying she was close to retirement before joining the promotion and adding: "When I leave this sport, I want to be considered a game-changer." Under MVP she has also begun managing Krista Rosado and Alexis Chaparro.

On rivalries and retirement plans, Serrano acknowledged Ellie Scotney's move up to featherweight and potential interest in facing her but said: "I love Ellie as a person, and as a fighter she's great, but right now I'm concentrating on this fight." She confirmed plans for a single farewell fight in Puerto Rico targeted for later this year or early 2027 and reflected on her rivalry with Taylor: "I already fought my dream opponent three times," adding: "Retiring so close together, we might share the Hall of Fame together." She also said: "I wouldn't be prouder than to share that moment with Katie Taylor. She's a great champion and a great human being."

Serrano's immediate next step is the defence of her WBA and WBO featherweight belts on Friday in California, after which she has scheduled a lone farewell bout in Puerto Rico for later this year or early 2027.