Amanda Serrano Vacates WBC Title in Protest, Wants Same Rules as Men’s Boxing

Amanda Serrano remains steadfast in her demand for women to compete under the same rules as men in the sport of boxing.

Serrano, who is also signed to compete for Professional Fighters League in its Super Fight Division, has now vacated her World Boxing Council strap in protest against the organization not allowing women to compete under the same rules as women.

While men typically compete for 12 three-minute rounds, women’s bouts are for 10 two-minute rounds. Serrano is among a long list of female boxers demanding the choice to compete under the same rules as men.

The WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO and Ring Magazine title holder beat Danila Ramos via a lopsided decision in October, which was the first time a women’s title bout was stipulated for 12 three-minute rounds since 2007. However, Serrano’s WBC title was not on the line, as the organization refused to sanction the fight. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman compared the difference in stipulation to other sports such as tennis and basketball while reiterating that the council's decision has been taken for the safety of fighters.

Serrano has now vacated her 126-pound strap in protest while also clarifying that she won't hesitate to leave other sanctioning bodies as well if her choice to fight under equal rules isn’t respected.

“I am the only boxer, male or female, from Puerto Rico to become undisputed champion,” Serrano wrote on Instagram. “I am the only female boxer to have won titles in [seven] divisions. I am the first female boxer, along with Katie to headline Madison Square Garden. I am the first female boxer to make [seven] figures from a fight and the same from sponsors. And I am the first undisputed female champion to fight 12x3 minute rounds.”

“Moving forward if a sanctioning body doesn’t want to give me and my fellow fighters the choice to fight the same as the men, then I will not be fighting for that sanctioning body.

“The WBC has refused to evolve the sport for equality. So, I am relinquishing their title.”

Serrano’s team subsequently released a statement to ESPN regarding the champ’s wishes to compete only in 12 three-minute round fights for the rest of her career.

“After an amazing fight [against Danila Ramos], we proved to the world how incredible women's boxing is and that we are just as capable as any man in the ring, and we deserve the choice to be treated equally,” the statement read.

“I've made my choice, one that I've worked many years to earn, and my choice is to continue to only fight 12 three-minute rounds for the rest of my career. Once you break down barriers, you don't go backwards.”