By Ryan Maquiñana
Having been stripped of her IBF women’s junior lightweight title, Amanda Serrano (14-0-1, 9 KOs) enters her April 27 matchup with WBC boss Frida Wallberg (10-0, 2 KOs) with hopes of adding a new belt to wear around her waist.
“Just knowing I have the chance to fight for my second world title is amazing,” she said. “I’m only a week away, and I’m so pumped I can taste it.”
Serrano is riding a 10-bout winning streak, capped as of late by a unanimous nod over Ela Nuñez in February. The 23-year-old New York-based Puerto Rican spoke with BoxingScene.com about her upcoming trip to Linkoping, Sweden.
BoxingScene.com: You’re coming off a win over Ela Nuñez that went the distance. What lessons can you take out of a fight like that?
Amanda Serrano: It was a great fight. It was a battle and a boost of confidence knowing I went eight hard rounds with a tough Ela Nuñez because I knew I could do two more if I had to.
BoxingScene.com: Now you’re headed to Sweden to challenge Frida Wallberg for the WBC title. Have you seen any film on her? If so, break down her style.
Amanda Serrano: I saw parts of her WBC title fight on YouTube. She only has 10 fights with two knockouts. I don’t think she’ll come to fight like Ela Nuñez did. Still, I don’t expect her to fight the same way she did in the video. Fighters always adjust, and so do I, so I have to keep training hard and prepare for her best.
BoxingScene.com: What about traveling to her homeland as the challenger? What are your concerns in getting a fair shake?
Amanda Serrano: Definitely. It always works against you. I know I’ll be fighting against her and the fans, and maybe the judges. In my pro debut, I was an underdog, so I know I have to prove I’m the best, and that’s by being more brutal and vicious. She has what I want in that title, so I have to go out and take it from her.
BoxingScene.com: How have you prepared in camp for Wallberg, in terms of your gameplan with your trainer Jordan Maldonado?
Amanda Serrano: I’ve had some great sparring from my sister Cindy, who punches hard but is more of a boxer, in addition to my stablemate at Boxing 360, Bryan Acaba, who can really punch. It’s great having both styles so I can adjust to either. Jordan’s a great motivator and lets me know I need to pick it up in the gym. He does a great job in my corner, and I love him to death. We’ll be ready for whatever Wallberg has.
BoxingScene.com: You’re the former IBF 130-pound champ, and now you’re facing the prospect of winning your second world title. Tell me about the magnitude of an achievement like that as far as what it means to you.
Amanda Serrano: I’ve been dreaming about it, and constantly working hard for it. Just knowing I have the chance to fight for my second world title is amazing. I’m only a week away, and I’m so pumped I can taste it.
A lot of my success is because of my team. [Boxing 360 CEO] Mario [Yagobi] is the best. They’ve got me the NABF, the IBF, and now a shot at the WBC. I want to win this title for Boxing 360, and I told Mario I want to be his first two-time world champion.
BoxingScene.com: I know you don’t want to look past Wallberg, but there are quite a few fights around 126 and 130, especially ones with WBC featherweight champ Jelena Mrdjenovich, or even past beltholders like Ina Menzer of Germany or a regional battle with fellow New Yorker Maureen Shea. What do you think about matchups with them down the line?
Amanda Serrano: Maybe I’ll go to a lower weight class or higher one, or stay here at 130. I can fight in three weight classes if necessary. I started my career saying to be the best, you have to fight the best. Wallberg’s the champion, so why not? As far as the other champs in 126 or 130 or 135 [pounds], whoever Boxing 360 and Jordan want me to fight, just give me the date, the time, and I’m there.
Ryan Maquiñana writes a weekly column for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (CSNBayArea.com). He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his blog at norcalboxing.net or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.
