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There is a contract but Serrano can’t be forced to fight Taylor warns DiBella

There is a contract, but Amanda Serrano [36(27)-1(0)-1] wants to renegotiate the terms claims Lou DiBella.

The New York-based CEO of DiBella Entertainment confirmed the seven weight world champion has signed a three fight DAZN deal which has a fight undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor [14(6)-0] clause. 

However, having discovered what Rose Volante and Delfine Persoon were paid for their respective unification and undisputed fights with the Wicklow woman the Brooklyn based fighter wants to renegotiate her pre arranged purse.

The Puerto Rican fighter believes the fight is worth more than she initially signed  and wants the numbers to be raised – and while a contract is signed DiBella warns no one can force Serrano to fight.

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It explains her recent hot and cold approach to a fight Taylor herself admits would be the biggest fight in women’s boxing at present. Serrano is torn between a biggest career payday – even before any raise – and holding a pull out threat over Matchroom to ensure a bigger purse.

Speaking to The Explainer podcast by TheJournal.ie DiBella explained the current lay of the land.

“The deal that we struck with DAZN and Eddie Hearn was for two fights and then a Katie Taylor fight,” DiBella said. “Amanda has fought once under that agreement, so she needs to get back into the ring — she’s waiting for a date. I should be talking to Eddie about that date soon.”

“After that, we’re open to the Katie Taylor fight.”

“There’s not a dispute about the contract. I, as DiBella Entertainment, signed a three-fight agreement with Matchroom to provide the services of Amanda Serrano, with the third fight to be Amanda Serrano [v Katie Taylor]. That’s still the deal.”

“Amanda wants to discuss, and has issues with, the numbers that have been discussed for her purse [to fight] Katie Taylor because she’s learned since we did the contract — which was almost a year ago at this point, or eight months ago — that the other people Katie has fought [since] have been better compensated than the money that’s available right now to pay Amanda.”

“So Amanda wants to have that discussion. But we’ve never said that we’re not fighting Katie in the third fight of that contract — that’s what’s in the contract.

“Here’s the issue: you can’t force an athlete to get into the ring. I have an agreement, and under the agreement I can offer the fight, but I can’t force somebody’s participation.

“Amanda’s brother-in-law is her manager, and he’s been her manager for her career. And his job is to make sure she’s treated fairly — including fighting with me, and fighting with Eddie if I have to deal with Eddie.

“And I guess she [Serrano] believes, based on the numbers that have been reported that Delfine got paid and the previous champion [Rose Volante] got paid, Amanda wants to discuss being paid more money if she fights Katie — based upon the marketplace.”

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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