Katie Taylor booed after battering Amanda Serrano and headbutt controversy in thrilling rematch

Katie Taylor successfully defended her world titles in a gripping victory over a bloodied Amanda Serrano, despite being jeered as she left the ring amid a headbutt controversy.

The pair had previously delivered a memorable bout two years earlier in New York, and anticipation was high for their undercard clash during Mike Tyson's fight with Jake Paul on Friday night.

The rematch lived up to expectations, with Serrano battling through a severe cut to reach the final bell, and Taylor was penalised a point for leading with her head. The judges were unanimous, awarding the fight to Taylor by a single point, ensuring she remains the undisputed super-lightweight champion - leading Serrano's corner to rage against "shady" judging and Taylor utilising illegal headbutts.

Reflecting on the tight scoring and intense battle, Taylor said: "Well, it's obviously hard to score the fight, but I knew it was an absolute slug fest in there, an absolute war," She continued, amidst boos, "Thank God I won this fight, congratulations to Amanda. She's a fantastic fighter. I think we agreed to 12 three-minute rounds in our next fight; the triple is on.

That's what a boxer does, we train to recover from those moments. Any punch can change a fight in boxing. She's a hard puncher, she's a very tough worry and I prepared for that. I don't care if the commentary team or the crowd disagree with the result. The only ones that matter are the judges around the ring.

"I didn't agree with the point deduction. I certainly wasn't fighting dirty. Sometimes it gets dirty in there and you have to prepare for those moments. This is an amazing moment for women's boxing, we put on a show for everybody."

Serrano began the fight with a bang, according to the Mirror, pushing Taylor back into the ropes with a straight left hand in the early stages. The champion appeared stunned but managed to recover before the bell rang, only for Serrano to continue her attack in the second round.

Serrano remained cool and collected as she methodically pursued Taylor around the ring. In the fourth round, Taylor decided to take a risk and fight back aggressively, transporting the 70,000 spectators back to Madison Square Garden.

Taylor ended the round with consecutive left hands, leaving Serrano with some serious thinking to do. The fifth round was understandably quieter, but it was Taylor who seemed more composed.

Serrano, now bleeding from her right eye, started to lose her cool and chase the champion around the ring. By the sixth round, Serrano's cut had worsened significantly, and she looked frustrated as the ringside doctor checked her.

The fight continued, and Serrano knew it was do or die. Any doubts about this fight matching up to its predecessor were long gone by the seventh round, as Serrano fought back, increasing the pressure.

The Puerto Rican's corner had managed to control the worst of the bleeding as the challenger tried to dominate the remaining rounds.

Taylor was penalised a point in the eighth round for leading with her head, having been warned earlier - giving Serrano a significant advantage. The champion seemed to be aiming for Serrano's cut, which looked ready to open up again.

In the penultimate round, the rivals were matching each other blow for blow, responding instantly and with equal precision. The final round was a spectacle, with neither woman backing down until the final bell, although Taylor appeared to gain momentum towards the end.

Serrano's corner branded Taylor a cheat" during the contest and the fighter herself doubled down with her thoughts post-fight - pointing the finger at "dirty" Taylor.

A cut and bloodied Amanda Serrano spoke in the ring after the win was given to her opponent. She said: "Listen, I knew if it went to the judges, I knew it was going to be shady. I came here, I chose to be great. I went up three division, I lost in two and I get to be great tonight. I am the featherweight champion of the world and I want to be great."

On the cut: "Every time you get a cut it hurts. You get blood in your eye. She kept head-butting me, but we knew that from the very beginning, the first fight. It's not only my fight, she did it with Chantelle Cameron. Listen, I am Puerto Rican. No matter how many cuts, I will fight to the very end.

"I think 100 percent because she does it [uses head] in every fight. My first cut was with Katie Taylor. She did it with Chantelle Cameron. I've seen other fights where she uses her head, dirty. It is what it is."

She added: "I'm happy with my team. I'm super grateful. I'm honoured to be here. Who knew two women would co-headline a great fight like this?"

On a third fight: "It's up to the team."

However, despite the fury of the crowd and her opponent, via unanimous decision, 95-94 across the scorecards, it was Taylor's night.