Amanda Serrano is set for a celebratory homecoming in San Juan as she defends her WBO and WBA featherweight world titles in a rematch with Erika Cruz on January 3 at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente. The bout, announced by Most Valuable Promotions, will stream on DAZN — and for the second time in Serrano’s career, it will be contested under the men’s championship format of 10 three-minute rounds.
Serrano (47-4-1, 31 KOs) defeated Cruz (18-2-1, 4 KOs) by unanimous decision in a bloody 2023 firefight, and both sides expect the sequel to deliver the same intensity. A seven-division champion and longtime advocate for equality in women’s boxing, Serrano called the upcoming defense “one of the proudest moments” of her career. She emphasized that stepping into the ring under full-length rounds in front of her Puerto Rican fans symbolizes not only personal achievement but progress for the sport as a whole.
The 37-year-old enters the rematch after back-to-back decision losses to Katie Taylor, but she has previously proven her stamina and grit over extended rounds. Serrano last fought three-minute frames in a 12-round unanimous decision win over Danila Ramos in 2023, and earlier in her career stopped Marilyn Hernandez in just one round of a scheduled 10×3 contest.
Cruz meanwhile is unbeaten in four fights since their first meeting and carries strong momentum into the rematch. The 35-year-old Mexican challenger welcomed the opportunity and promised another war, saying the Mexico–Puerto Rico rivalry guarantees action. “If our first fight was a colossal battle, you can’t miss what will happen on Saturday, January 3,” she said.
Fight card:
▪️Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz Hernandez, 10 x 2 rounds, for the WBO World featherweight title
▪️Stephanie Han vs. Holly Holm, 10 rounds, lightweight
▪️Yankiel Rivera Figueroa vs. Jonathan Gonzalez, 10 rounds, flyweight
▪️Jan Paul Rivera-Pizarro vs. Alfredo Cruz, 8 rounds, featherweight
▪️Chris Echevarria vs. Gabriel Bernardi Cruz, 6 rounds, super bantamweight
