TEMECULA, CA. \u2013 With millions watching on Tik Tok Live around the world, Amanda Serrano sought to add Lucrecia Manzur as her 33rd knockout victim, but the Argentina slugger proved too tough for that, and Serrano won by split-decision after12 rounds on Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe girls are getting younger and stronger,\u201d Serrano said.<\/p>\n
Serrano (50-4-1, 32 KOs) was unable to notch another knockout but did grab her 50th win by defeating Mazur (14-5, 7 KOs) for the WBO and WBA featherweight title in front of more than 1500 fans at Pechanga Resort and Casino.<\/p>\n
Puerto Rico\u2019s Serrano has been fighting professionally since 2009 and the southpaw has made a reputation as one of the most dynamic punchers in female boxing history. In her 17 years, the southpaw fighter\u2019s power and technique have enabled her to defeat champions in seven weight divisions.<\/p>\n
These new female fighters are packed with amateur experience. It gets tougher and tougher to pin them down with power shots.<\/p>\n
Manzur added some new wrinkles as she used her left arm to grab Serrano\u2019s neck and back while slinging looping rights at the Boricua. It was a tactic she used often until referee Thomas Taylor gave her a warning.<\/p>\n
The Argentina had success in the middle rounds, as she preferred to trade with Serrano. It proved she was looking to win, not to survive.<\/p>\n
Serrano began building momentum around the fifth round with her variety of blows. Slowly the tables turned and Manzur seemed a step slower. Things really slipped into overdrive in the ninth round as Serrano stepped on the gas and unleashed a blistering body attack. It seemed to surprise the Argentine.<\/p>\n
In the final three rounds, Manzur tried to adjust to the body attack, but Serrano was relentless and kept battering the Argentine\u2019s torso like beating dust from a dirty rug. Manzur tried to use offense as defense but that did not work either.<\/p>\n
Serrano was too determined and probably still hunting for the knockout. After 12 rounds, one judge saw it a draw 114-114, but two others scored it 116-112 for Serrano.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so happy to be the first main event championship fighter on Tik Tok,\u201d said Serrano, adding that she is proud to open the door for so many young female fighters. \u201cI opened the door and now they are crashing through.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manzur was equally happy for the opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cTonight was a dream come true going against my idol,\u201d Manzur said. \u201cThank you for putting female boxing on the pedestal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Other Bouts<\/p>\n
Denmark\u2019s Melissa Mortensen (10-0) survived a knockdown and became her country\u2019s second world champion by burrowing through Mexico\u2019s tough Mayeli Flores to win the WBA super bantamweight title by split decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just learned to take the count and come back stronger,\u201d Mortensen said.<\/p>\n
Mortensen used her height and length to keep Flores from overrunning her. Though Flores had her moments, they weren\u2019t enough to convince two judges who saw the taller blonde Danish fighter the winner 95-94 (2x) and 94-95.<\/p>\n
The crowd booed the decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got the belts right here,\u201d said Mortensen. \u201cShe is a strong fighter.\u201d<\/p>\n