SAN JUAN — Trailblazing Puerto Rican boxing icon Amanda Serrano wants to be remembered above all else as a "game-changer" as she enters the final chapter of a remarkable and historic career, preparing for what promises to be an emotional farewell fight on home soil early next year.
The seven-division world champion is gearing up to defend her unified World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight titles against Australia’s Skye Falzon in San Juan on January 9. Serrano, who boasts an astonishing professional record of 50 wins, 4 defeats, and 1 draw, with 32 coming by way of knockout, previously announced that she will officially retire from the sport immediately following the bout. The highly anticipated event has fittingly been dubbed "The Last Walk" by promoters, marking the closing curtain on a legendary career that has reshaped the landscape of women’s professional boxing.
Reflecting on her journey and the legacy she hopes to leave behind, Serrano opened up during a recent press conference about what she wants fans and future generations to take away from her time in the squared circle.
"I want people to remember me as a game-changer," Serrano said. "I gave it my all in the ring. Every time I fought, every time I trained, I just left everything in the ring, and I hope that you guys see that."
Beyond cementing her legacy, Serrano enters her final bout with a tangible piece of history within her grasp. The Puerto Rican star is actively chasing the coveted women’s knockout record, a prestigious milestone she currently jointly shares with legendary American boxer Christy Martin. While Serrano acknowledged that capturing the outright record would serve as the ultimate "cherry on top" of her illustrious career, her primary focus remains on delivering an unforgettable performance and fully savoring every fleeting moment of her final appearance as an active competitor.
To ensure she leaves nothing to chance and maximizes the experience of her last competitive bout, Serrano intentionally structured her training camp to replicate the grueling demands of the sport’s longest distance.
"I made sure that I went back to the 12 three-minute rounds because I want to enjoy every second, every minute of my last fight in there," the 38-year-old champion said. "I’m going to go out there and give it my all. If the knockout comes, it comes."
Standing across the ring from Serrano in San Juan will be Skye Falzon, an Australian challenger who approaches the bout with a professional record of 12 wins, 2 losses, and 7 knockouts. Like Serrano, Falzon is 38 years old, and she admitted that securing the opportunity to fight one of the greatest female fighters of all time feels surreal.
"I actually cried about it," Falzon shared, reflecting on the moment she learned the fight had been made. "The opportunity is something I’m going to grab hold of and I just can’t wait."
Despite the immense respect Falzon holds for the champion and her unprecedented achievements in the sport, the Australian challenger made it clear that she is not traveling to Puerto Rico simply to serve as a supporting character in Serrano’s retirement narrative.
"I’m not here just to take part in Amanda’s history, I’m here to try to write my own. I wouldn’t be a fighter if I didn’t believe I could win," Falzon stated firmly.
Serrano was quick to welcome the fierce competitive mindset and self-belief displayed by her upcoming opponent, noting that it aligns entirely with her own fighting philosophy.
"I wouldn’t like if any of my opponents would come thinking they’re going to come to lose. I love to fight the best out there," Serrano responded.
The magnitude of Serrano’s career cannot be overstated within the context of boxing history, both in her native Puerto Rico and on the global stage. She stands as the first and only Puerto Rican boxer—regardless of gender—to achieve undisputed world champion status, a monumental milestone that underscores her technical excellence and dominance over multiple weight classes.
Her impact extends far beyond titles and rankings. In 2022, Serrano and Ireland’s Katie Taylor shattered long-standing barriers when they became the first female boxers in history to headline a card at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden, delivering an instant classic that proved women’s boxing could command the biggest stages in the sport. The following year, in 2023, Serrano added another groundbreaking achievement to her resume by defeating Brazil’s Danila Ramos in the first-ever women’s unified world championship bout contested over 12 three-minute rounds—the exact duration traditionally reserved for men’s championship fights.
When asked about the driving factors behind her decision to finally step away from competitive boxing, Serrano explained that the choice was simply a matter of time catching up, coupled with a long-held personal promise to conclude her journey where it all began, surrounded by the people who supported her through every high and low.
"You guys [have] been with me from the very beginning, supporting me, loving me, and I’ve been fighting for you guys," added Serrano, who was born in Carolina on the island. "I bring my flag with me, it’s in my heart. I’m always with you, and I fight for you. I just want you guys to celebrate my long journey, and it’s going to be a great night."
