On Thursday, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Real Fight Inc. (Real Fight) announced that a deal was finalized for the rematch between undisputed featherweight world champion Amanda “Real Deal” Serrano (44-2-1) and former WBO featherweight titleholder Heather “The Heat” Hardy (24-2, 4 KOs).
After earning the WBO featherweight from Hardy nearly four years ago, Serrano will put all her belts on the line and defend her undisputed title for the first time vs. Hardy in a co-main event alongside Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on August 5th.
The event is being distributed globally on pay-per-view by DAZN, in addition to all major cable, satellite and local PPV providers.
Serrano, the first Puerto Rican undisputed world champion, started her current title reign at featherweight by defeating Hardy by way of ten round decision in 2019 to win the WBO belt. Hardy, also a Brooklyn native, will attempt to avenge her loss. Hardy saw action back in February, when she defeated Brazil’s Taynna Cardoso.
"I'm beyond grateful for this opportunity,” said Hardy. “In 2021, I came back to boxing with a renewed passion for the sport. My late trainer told me, the day before he died, that 2023 would be my year. Now, I have the opportunity to prove him right and become an undisputed champion. Thank you to Amanda and team for keeping their word on giving me the rematch, but come fight night, I only have winning on my mind and stealing the show from Jake Paul and Nate Diaz.”
Serrano steps back into the ring after winning a blood-soaked war against WBA featherweight champion Erika Cruz in February, making her the undisputed featherweight champion but also left her with a hand injury that resulted in canceling her much anticipated rematch with Katie Taylor.
Serrano’s decisive win against Cruz followed her previous win over Sarah Mahfoud in Manchester, England that added the Dane’s IBF title to her WBO, WBC, and IBO featherweight belts.
"I am the undisputed featherweight champion today because Heather Hardy agreed to fight me in 2019 for her WBO title,” said Serrano. “That was the first step in my current run at featherweight. It’s only right that I give her the opportunity to earn it back. I’m excited to once again share the card with Jake and put on an exciting war. This will be the first time I get to fight in Texas, and I promise the fans that they will not be disappointed."
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