Puerto Rican boxer Amanda Serrano has joined the 126-pound title from the World Boxing Organization (WBO) to the World Council (WBC) without stepping into the ring.
Serrano won the WBC crown after the owner of the belt, the Canadian Jelena Mrdjenovich, decided not to face the Puerto Rican who was the obligatory challenger, especially in the WBC.
This body based in Mexico has decided to elevate the Puerto Rican from interim world champion to world champion.
Mrdjenovich is also the champion of the World Boxing Association, a body that has not confirmed whether it will place Serrano as the property champion. From the WBA to make this move, the Puerto Rican would also be the monarch of the three organizations.
“She will have her reasons for not fighting and a respect for everything she has achieved. I, for one, will not rest until I have all the 126 pounds. Unfortunately, they will have to support me for a while at this weight and I am sure that we will have great battles for history “, said Serrano.
The WBC had ordered a unified fight between Serrano and Mrdiennovich a few weeks ago. Both sides have been informed that they have until this Friday to negotiate the fight and, if they do not reach an agreement on or before the set date, they will start the bidding process.
“Once the negotiation process began, I was quickly informed that they would not fight Amanda and I must admit that we were not surprised because Jelena always says in her interviews that she is willing to fight anyone, she even mentions names, but not never mention Amanda, who is one of the division’s world champions, “said Jordan Maldonado, Serrano’s coach and manager.
Serrano (39-1-1, 29 KOs) joins the prestigious list of unified champions in Puerto Rico, such as Carlos Ortiz, Félix “Tito” Trinidad and Danny García.
“Amanda just wants to be the undisputed 126-pound world champion to give Puerto Rico glory and she will achieve it, although history repeats itself again avoiding it,” said Maldonado, who added that “Amanda was avoided by the obligatory challenger of champion Raja Amasheh (former champion of 115 pounds), Sabrina Pérez, in two divisions (118 and 122), Ana Esteche, who was to face Amanda for her titles of 140 pounds, but lost a fight untitled and the titles were taken from her and now the great Jelena, whom we admire so much, passed through the back door, but Amanda’s dream remains intact and firm.
He will defend his titles in Puerto Rico
In fact, Serrano will defend his WBO and WBC World Championships on March 25 at the Plaza del Quinto Centenario in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, as part of an event that will be broadcast live on NBC Sports as part of the ‘Ring USA city ‘.
The event is promoted by Miguel Cotto Promotions in association with H2 Entertainment, Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.
Her opponent will be the world champion in three divisions, the Argentine Daniela “La Bonita” Bermúdez (29-3-3, 10 KOs).
“I am very happy to have a meeting and an opponent to defend my beautiful titles. Daniela will come looking to be crowned world champion in four divisions. I think our fight will give a lot to discuss, because I understand that there will be many actions and, of course, I am ready for another war between Puerto Rico and Argentina, “Serrano said.
“In 2014 I was crowned world champion of 135 kilograms in Argentina, when I defeated the champion María Maderna, who had three successful defenses and this may be another motivation for Daniela, but I have my motivations because I come in the name Puerto Rico and God. I come to triumph for our youth and for the women who box, “said the Puerto Rican fighter, who has won world titles in seven weight categories.