Amanda Serrano’s fight for equality

Lower pay, lower promotion and even different policies. A group of boxers, led by a Puerto Rican Amanda Serranonow fighting in and out of the ring to close the gap with her male counterparts.

A necessary step towards equality is for female fighters to fight under the same rules as men, defended Serrano in statements to EFE, which together with Brazilian Danila Ramos recently marked a milestone by fighting 12 3-minute rounds.

“In the past, we have been criticized for fighting for less time and demanding better pay. “I make enough money not to make excuses and do it,” said the seven-division world champion and the first boxer to earn a million dollars for a fight.

His decision earlier this month to relinquish the 126-pound World Boxing Council (WBC) title was also strong, as the entity refused to allow him to continue fighting until 12 rounds and, in this way, “refused to the sport is progressing toward equality,” Serrano said at the time.

Women compete in 10 rounds lasting 2 minutesthus the match between Serrano and Ramos, conducted for the first time in women’s boxing history with men’s-specific rules, set a precedent and overcame those criticisms.

Fulfill a dream by making history

“It was a dream come true. Something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Serrano, 35, spoke about his unanimous decision victory over Ramos on October 27 in the American city of Orlando.

Puerto Rico extended his legend with a record 46 victories, 30 by fast track, and successfully defended his titles from the World Boxing Organization (WBO), International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association ( WBA) and International Boxing Organization (IBO).

“It was incredible to complete all 12 (rounds) and throw over 1,100 punches. I didn’t feel the extra minute. It felt like 2 minutes instead of 3,” said the boxer, who won the three judges’ scorecards by the same score of 120-108.

About three weeks before this fight, Serrano and Ramos led a manifesto, titled “Choice” and signed by 25 female boxers, in which they asked to have the option to fight under the rules of men’s boxing to show their “ability.” and greatness. .”

“We have won ‘the choice’ to build a more equal future for female boxers,” the text stated, stating the goal of achieving equal pay, promotion and opportunities in the sport.

“There are many girls who want to fight against the same rules. In fact, after my fight, there were people who fought for 3 minutes,” said Serrano, mentioning Maricela Cornejo and ‘Pink Tyson’ Kalliopi Kourouni.

Open the way for new generations

Highlanders She is now a legend and has proven in the ring that women deserve equal pay. More than a year ago, he starred alongside Irish Katie Taylor the first women-led billboard at Madison Square Garden in New York.

“When the world sees the abilities of some of us, that the elite have, it will definitely do it (eliminate the wage gap),” stressed the boxer, who believes that it is time to help the next generations of boxers.

Serrano denounced the pay gap between men and women in boxing as “the difference between day and night.”

For his first fight, in 2009, he won $1,000, but after fighting twenty times and becoming a multiple champion, he only got close to $2,000.

It wasn’t until 2014, when he became the champion of the WBO lightweight division, that Serrano earned $5,000 and, until 2021, that he generated his first six-figure check ($200,000).

To close the wage gap, “the support of the fans” is essential, according to the Puerto Rican, whose sold-out shows in the “Mecca of Boxing” and in Orlando have shown that there is interest in women’s boxing, which attracts sponsors.

“It’s happening to me, I have been selling events and that is reflected in my salary scale. I am a 7-figure fighter. Between my salary and my sponsors, I am making millions,” she gratefully acknowledges.