Serrano to finish career in San Juan, aims to be remembered as a 'game-changer'

Amanda Serrano will defend her unified WBO and WBA featherweight titles against Skye Falzon at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan on 9 January and has said she will retire after the bout. Serrano told a news conference she wants to be remembered as a "game-changer" as she prepares for the farewell fight.

Serrano enters the contest with a 50-4-1 record and 32 knockouts, and the San Juan appearance will be her first at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. Promoters have billed the match as "The Last Walk," confirming it will be the Puerto Rican seven-division world champion's final ring appearance.

Speaking at the news conference, Serrano said: "I want people to remember me as a game-changer," and added, "I gave it my all in the ring. Every time I fought, every time I trained, I just left everything in the ring, and I hope that you guys see that."

Serrano is pursuing the women's knockout record she currently jointly holds with American Christy Martin and described that milestone as the "cherry on top" while stressing she wants to savour her last fight. The 38-year-old said: "I made sure that I went back to the 12 three-minute rounds because I want to enjoy every second, every minute of my last fight in there," and added, "I'm going to go out there and give it my all. If the knockout comes, it comes."

Falzon, also 38, comes into the fight with a 12-2 record and seven knockouts and said she was emotional when the match was arranged. "I actually cried about it," said Falzon. "The opportunity is something I'm going to grab hold of and I just can't wait. I'm not here just to take part in Amanda's history, I'm here to try to write my own. I wouldn't be a fighter if I didn't believe I could win."

Serrano welcomed Falzon's conviction, saying: "I wouldn't like if any of my opponents would come thinking they're going to come to lose. I love to fight the best out there." The article notes Serrano draws 3.4m views on TikTok for 50th win and earlier equals the knockout record with a Hanson victory.

Serrano is the first and only Puerto Rican boxer, male or female, to become undisputed world champion; in 2022 she and Ireland's Katie Taylor became the first female boxers to headline New York's Madison Square Garden. She defeated Brazil's Danila Ramos in 2023 in what was described as the first-ever women's unified world championship contested over 12 three-minute rounds, a format equal to a men's championship fight.

Serrano, who was born in Carolina on the island, asked fans to share the evening with her: "You guys [have] been with me from the very beginning, supporting me, loving me, and I've been fighting for you guys," she said. "I bring my flag with me, it's in my heart. I'm always with you, and I fight for you. I just want you guys to celebrate my long journey, and it's going to be a great night." The bout on 9 January in San Juan is scheduled to be her final contest and she has said she will retire after it.