ARLINGTON, Texas – For the second time in two years, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano engaged in a fight of a lifetime, showcasing skill, stamina and tremendous punching power, with Serrano spending the second half of the contest struggling with a gash over her right eye that was both oozing and gushing blood. And, for the second time in two years, Taylor earned a close and controversial victory, winning by unanimous decision with three scores of 95-94. In the process, she retained her undisputed 140lbs championship.

Serrano landed the first decisive blow of the fight when a short right hook landed, followed by a left hand. Then a sweeping left hand from Serrano stunned Taylor, 24-1 (6 KOs), and the Irishwoman was standing when the bell rang.

Taylor responded in Round 2, as Serrano, 47-3-1 (31 KOs), pressed forward, looking to land the finishing punch on each shot, while Taylor threw short, quick punches to try to keep Serrano at bay and looked to seize the initiative whenever the Puerto Rican got too close.

Taylor began to find her form in the third round as she tried to wear Serrano down with short, quick counters, but the Puerto Rican was still running and came out stronger, landing another left to Taylor against the ropes, then another left when Taylor responded with a right.

As is often the case in a fight between an orthodox boxer and a lefty, the fighters’ heads collided in the fourth round, opening a cut above Serrano’s eye. Serrano was pouring power into her punches, but Taylor focused on rushing and moving, throwing quick punches and ducking or clinching.

Another headbutt in the fifth round left Serrano hurt and uncomfortable, pushing Taylor away. If anything, the blood seemed to spur Serrano to punish her opponent, and the sixth round saw the two women trade punches until a third uppercut turned Serrano’s cut into an open, gushing gash. There seemed no way the fight could continue, but the ringside doctor signaled for it to continue, and now all pretense of defense was gone as the two fighters stood face to face, hands outstretched. Again, Taylor’s hands were faster and Serrano’s punches heavier, but both women landed their targets almost at will.

Serrano’s eyes were now glistening, the right side of her face painted crimson; she kept pushing forward as Taylor cautiously circled. Another kick to the butt caused referee John Schorle to deduct a point from Taylor in the eighth.

Taylor seemed to falter a bit in the final two rounds as Serrano found a second wind, the Puerto Rican now not only throwing heavier punches but also appearing to outbox her opponent at both mid- and close range. A Serrano combination in the 10th seemed to stiffen Taylor, and a hook sent Taylor stumbling forward and holding, but then the champion backed Serrano into a corner and fired at the final bell.

When the decision was announced, the 70,000 or so in attendance at AT&T Stadium booed loudly, believing Serrano deserved the support.

“I knew if it went to the judges, they would be a little rigged,” she said. “I came here. I choose to be great. I moved up three weight classes. I dared to be great tonight and I moved up three weight classes. I am the featherweight champion of the world and I want to be great and fight the best. That is what it is.”

She admitted that the cut bothered her and also felt that it was intentional.

“Every time you get cut, it bothers you,” she said. “Your eyes are bleeding, it hurts. She kept headbutting me, but we knew that from the beginning in the first fight. She did that to Chantelle Cameron. No matter how many times I get cut, I’m going to fight to the end.”

Taylor, understandably, felt that the points deduction was too harsh.

“I definitely don’t agree with points deductions,” she argued. “I definitely don’t play dirty. Sometimes things go wrong and you have to be prepared for those moments.

“It was a fight. Thank God I won this fight, and congratulations to Amanda. She’s a champion. I don’t care if the commentary team or the crowd doesn’t agree with the result. The only people who matter are the judges around the ring, so thank God. We put on a show, we put on a show for everybody. Thank God for another great night.”

Serrano added: “It is what it is. I’m the champion no matter what. I’m still the featherweight champion. I’m honored to be here. Listen, I’m on Jerry’s World fighting on Netflix! Who knew two women could put on a great fight together?”