Amanda Serrano vs Lucrecia Manzur

This is more of a record-making deal for Amanda Serrano than a genuine 50–50 championship fight. Manzur is WBO No. 2, so that makes it legit, but the Argentine has been knocked out twice, and this is being promoted as Serrano going for the most women’s career knockouts record, so make of it what you will.

They are both listed at five-foot-five, but that is where the similarities end. Manzur is game, physically strong and accustomed to working over ten rounds. She has beaten experienced domestic opposition and held the South American, Argentine and WBO Latino featherweight belts. Serrano, though, has been a world champion across seven weight divisions and has shared the ring three times with Katie Taylor. That is a different planet of experience.

The nuts and bolts are straightforward. Manzur must stay compact, keep her elbows tight and make Serrano reset after every exchange. She cannot stand directly in front of her and trade left hooks, because Serrano is quicker, more accurate and carries spite to the body. Serrano’s biggest danger is becoming impatient while chasing the women’s knockout record and walking onto something silly.

I expect Manzur to make a brave start, but Serrano will gradually take away her legs with body shots and begin landing in bunches once the Argentine slows. This is too large a jump in class.

Prediction: Serrano by stoppage.