SERRANO DRAWS 3.4M VIEWS ON TIK TOK FOR 50TH WIN

 

Serrano's win over Manzur was watched by 3.4m viewers on TikTok. Getty Images 

Amanda Serrano retained her WBA and WBO featherweight belts with a narrow majority decision over Argentina's Lucrecia Manzur in the first world title fight to be streamed live on TikTok.

The Puerto Rican was made to work for her 50th career win, edging a majority decision but missing the 33rd knockout she needed to break the women's record, remaining on 32.

Serrano's fight, held over 12 two-minute rounds, may not have delivered a record‑breaking knockout, but it drew 3.4 million total views on TikTok.

The 37-year-old continues to be one of the most watched female fighters in the world, with her third fight against Ireland's Katie Taylor last year drawing an audience of six million on Netflix and their rematch in 2024 getting over 50 million on the same platform.

Friday's fight in Temeculam, California was scored 114-114, 116-112 and 116-112 in favour of Serrano.

Manzur troubled the champion early with repeated right hands, but the Argentine tired as Serrano seized momentum from round nine and finished the fight in control.

Speaking after the bout, Serrano said: "I am so happy and honoured. That was the first championship main event fight on TikTok guys, super excited, super honoured."

On Manzur, Serrano added: "I knew this girl was tough. She's young. She's 27. She's 10 years younger than me. These girls are getting younger and stronger.

"She was hungry, and I knew that coming into training. I trained very hard because I knew it was an opportunity for her, so I had to come on my A game."

The unified champion will now be hoping to eclipse Christy Martin with a 33rd stoppage in her farewell fight, which she plans to stage in Puerto Rico later this year or in early 2027.

It is unclear who Serrano will fight in her final outing.

After admitting post-fight her age may have played a factor in her performance, Serrano further elaborated on social media.

"Wow this was rough," she said.

"Honesty the mind tells you one thing but the body does another.

"You can fight anyone you want and squeeze out a victory but Father Time isn't allowing too much of that.

"Thank you so much to all my fans, you guys are amazing.

"You're the reason why I dug in deep tonight. I'll talk to the team and make my decision. I love you."

On the undercard, Denmark's Melissa Mortensen became a world champion for the first time by claiming the vacant the WBA super-bantamweight title with a points win over Mexico's Mayelli Flores.

Serrano wore Timberland boxing boots in the ring. Getty Images 

Serrano stays tied with legend Christy Martin for the knockout record in women's boxing. Getty Images 

- Jude Winter

CURRENT RING WORLD CHAMPIONS

 

All Current Ring Magazine World Champions:

🥊 Oleksandr Usyk

👑 Ring Heavyweight Champion

🥊 Jai Opetaia

👑 Ring Cruiserweight Champion

🥊 Dmitry Bivol

👑 Ring Light-Heavyweight Champion

🥊 Terence Crawford

👑 Ring Super-Middleweight Champion

🥊 Shadasia Green

👑 Ring Super-Middleweight Champion

🥊 Lauren Price

👑 Ring Welterweight Champion

🥊 Teofimo Lopez

👑 Ring Super-Lightweight Champion

🥊 Katie Taylor

👑 Ring Super-Lightweight Champion

🥊 Alycia Baumgardner

👑 Ring Super-Featherweight Champion

🥊 Amanda Serrano

👑 Ring Featherweight Champion

🥊 Naoya Inoue

👑 Ring Super-Bantamweight Champion

🥊 Ellie Scotney

👑 Ring Super-Bantamweight Champion

🥊 Dina Thorslund

👑 Ring Bantamweight Champion

🥊 Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez

👑 Ring Super-Flyweight Champion

🥊 Mizuki Hiruta

👑 Ring Super-Flyweight Champion

🥊 Gabriela Fundora

👑 Ring Flyweight Champion

🥊 Oscar Collazo

👑 Ring Strawweight Champion

HEAVYWEIGHT LEGEND 'BIG' GEORGE FOREMAN PASSES AWAY AT 76, BIXING WORLD MOURNS

The sport of boxing lost one of its greatest legends in "Big" George Foreman this week.

Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK

The former two-time heavyweight champion headlined the some of the most iconic boxing events in his heyday, Foreman sharing the ring with Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali across 81 professional bouts.

One half of 'The Rumble in the Jungle' and an illustrious name in combat sports history, George Foreman passed away on Friday, his family announced on Instagram.

He was 76 years old.

Rest In Peace, George Foreman

"Our hearts are broken," the Foreman family posted Friday evening. "With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved George Edward Foreman Sr. who peacefully departed on March 21, 2025 surrounded by loved ones.

"A devout preacher, a devoted husband, a loving father, and a proud grand and great grandfather, he lived a life marked by unwavering faith, humility, and purpose.A humanitarian, an Olympian, and two time heavyweight champion of the world, He was deeply respected — a force for good, a man of discipline, conviction, and a protector of his legacy, fighting tirelessly to preserve his good name— for his family."

"We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers, and kindly ask for privacy as we honor the extraordinary life of a man we were blessed to call our own."

Foreman was born on Jan. 10, 1949 in Marshall, Texas.

Mike Tyson, Boxing World Reacts

The boxing world mourns the death of George Foreman, who led an inspirational life inside and out of the ring.

The Foreman family has recieved countless messages of support during this time, former Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson sending his condolences for his fallen friend.

"Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten," Tyson said of George Foreman.

"Rest in Peace George Foreman and condolences to his entire family. He did great things inside and outside of the ring. Big George Forever Goated," Jake Paul wrote on 'X'.

"Sad news for me and the boxing world... The last boxing pillar for an unforgettable era has passed away today... May his soul rest in peace, Big George Foreman!" Turki Alalshikh wrote on 'X'.

"RIP To the Nicest human being to ever Lace on a pair of Gloves ‘Big George Foreman’ May the good Lord have you beside him where you deserve to be. You will be Missed," Amanda Serrano wrote.

"I’m totally heartbroken with news of my dear friend of more than 35 years George Foreman passing away," ring announcer Michael Buffer wrote. "I’m finding it difficult to deal with. I’ll collect my thoughts and have more to say soon about a man that I (and so many others) loved and respected."

"Very few times have I felt like I was meeting a cultural icon," Cris Cyborg wrote. "When @GeorgeForeman walked into the room he electrified it. I can imagine him in Heaven doing the same thing."

"I got to know Mr. Foreman a little bit, seeing him at all the boxing matches and I always picked his brain, trying to be an entrepreneur when your career is over. This one hurt man," former NBA star Charles Barkley said of Foreman's pasing on CBS Sports.

"Between Junior Bridgeman, Oliver Miller, it's been a rough week. When that [news] came in, that hurts a lot. He was obviously one of the greatest boxers ever but just a gentleman, a pastor and it hurts plain and simple. My condolences to his family."

"What a GREAT FIGHTER!!!" President Donald Trump wrote of Foreman on Truth Social. "He had, without question, the heaviest and biggest punch in the history of boxing. With the exception of Ali, when you got hit, you went down. He was something really Special, but above all, he was a Great Person, with a personality that was bigger than life. I knew him well, and he will be missed. Warmest condolences to his wonderful family!!!

George Foreman had a boxing record of 76-5 (68 KO's), going down as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.

- Christopher De Santiago

MIKE TYSON FIGHT WITH JAKE PAUL POSTPONED AFTER TYSON'S HEALTH EPISODE

 

Getty 

Mike Tyson’s fight with Jake Paul has been postponed after the 57-year-old Tyson fell ill on a flight last weekend.

Tyson and Paul said Friday that they will announce a new fight date next week. They were scheduled to meet on 20 July in Arlington, Texas.

Tyson became nauseous and dizzy during the final hour of a flight from Miami to Los Angeles last Sunday, and his plane was met by first responders who attended to the former heavyweight champion. Tyson’s camp attributed the episode to an ulcer problem.

 “During a follow up consultation on Thursday with medical professionals on his recent ulcer flare-up, the recommendation is for Mike Tyson to do minimal to light training over the next few weeks and then return to full training with no limitations,” the fight’s promoters said in a statement.

Tyson hasn’t fought professionally since June 2005, but he has been training regularly for several years. He fought Roy Jones Jr in an entertaining exhibition in Los Angeles in November 2020.

“My body is in better overall shape than it has been since the 1990s, and I will be back to my full training schedule soon,” Tyson said in the statement. “Jake Paul, this may have bought you some time, but in the end you will still be knocked out and out of boxing for good. I appreciate everyone’s patience and can’t wait to deliver an unforgettable performance later this year.”

Texas boxing officials have sanctioned Tyson’s meeting with Paul as a legitimate bout with eight two-minute rounds and unusually heavy gloves. Tyson will turn 58 before the fight, which was scheduled to be streamed on Netflix in what’s likely to be a massive payday for both fighters.

Tickets already purchased for the fight, which was to be held at the Dallas Cowboys’ home stadium, will be honored on the new fight date, promoters said. The rescheduled fight is also expected to be in Arlington.

The co-feature bout on the card was an eagerly anticipated rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano for Taylor’s undisputed junior welterweight championship, a rematch of their epochal May 2022 fight at Madison Square Garden.

Representatives for Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, which is promoting the card, did not immediately respond to a message from the Guardian inquiring about the status of the Taylor-Serrano fight in light of the Tyson-Paul postponement.

The 27-year-old Paul is a YouTube star who has forged a successful prizefighting career mostly by taking on mixed martial artists and journeymen boxers.

“I fully support postponing the event so Mike Tyson has no excuses come fight night,” Paul said. “My fans know I don’t want to face Iron Mike at anything but his best, but let there be no mistake: When he steps into the ring with me, I will be ready to claim my W with a sensational finish.”

- Guardian Sport