In front of family and friends in New York, Amanda Serrano will look to become the undisputed featherweight champion. The WBC, IBO, IBF, and The Ring champion faces WBA champion Erika Cruz for all the gold on February 4.
The fight takes place inside Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater.
A fight to determine the undisputed featherweight champion won’t be the only undisputed fight on the card. Alycia Baumgardner defends the WBO, IBF, WBC, IBO, and The Ring super-featherweight titles against Elhem Mekhaled. The WBA title is also on the line, as Choi Hyun-mi was named Champion in Recess.
Who else will be fighting outside of the two main title fights? The Sporting News looks into the undercard of Serrano vs. Cruz.
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Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz undercard
Richardson Hitchins faces John Bauza for the IBF North American and USWBC junior-welterweight titles. Hitchins (15-0) made his pro debut in 2017. Previously signed with Mayweather Promotions, Hitchins joined Matchroom Boxing in 2022. In his last fight in November, the New Yorker beat Yomar Alamo for the IBF North American title.
“I’m excited to come back home and showcase my talent in front of my city and my #1 fans,” said Hitchins. “When I signed with Eddie, he promised he was going to turn me into a star and having the opportunity to come back so quickly after my last fight, and do it at home, man, I’m just so grateful for this.”
Bauza (17-0) made his pro debut in 2016. The 24-year-old last fought in March, beating Tony Luis via unanimous decision. It will be his third-straight fight inside MSG.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a while now, and finally, it’s here,” said Bauza. “On February 4, I graduate from prospect to legitimate world contender. This is a huge opportunity for me to showcase myself, and I plan on putting on a spectacular performance.”
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The busy Skye Nicolson will face Tania Alvarez for the WBC Silver featherweight title. A gold medalist in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Nicholson (5-0) won all five fights of her career in 2022. She beat Krystina Jacobs in October for the CBC featherweight title.
Alvarez (7-0) turned pro in 2021. She fought five times in 2022, all in Spain. Alvarez’s last fight was a TKO win against Yaiza Souto in November.
The newest signee to Most Valuable Promotions, Shadasia Green faces former champion Elin Cederroos for the WBC Silver super-middleweight title. Green (11-0) is a former Team USA star and won silver in the 2016 World Championships. Making her pro debut in 2019, she won three fights in 2022. Her last fight was in October, beating Ogleidis Suarez via retirement.
“My motto is ‘be phenomenal or be forgotten’ – a mantra that fits so perfectly with the team that Jake and Nakisa have created,” said Green. “We’re striving for greatness together and I can’t wait to work side-by-side with them for this next phase of my career. My first fight against Cederroos will further cement my place among these other incredibly talented MVP fighters.”
Cederroos (8-1) made her pro debut in 2017. In 2020 she beat Alicia Napoleon Espinosa for the IBF and WBA super-middleweight titles. On the undercard of Katie Taylor vs. Serrano in April, the Swedish fighter lost to Franchon Crews-Dezurn to determine the undisputed super-middleweight champion.
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Ramla Ali and Avril Mathie fight for the IBF Intercontinental super-bantamweight title. Ali (7-0) made her pro debut in 2020. She was a part of history in August when she beat Crystal Garcia Nova in Saudi Arabia’s first-ever women’s boxing fight. Mathie (8-0-1) turned pro in 2018. After fighting Samantha Salazar to a split decision draw that year, she has won six in a row. Mathie’s last fight was a unanimous decision win over Judit Hachbold in June.
Cletus Seldin faces Reshat Mati for the WBA NABA super-lightweight title. A New York favorite, Seldin (26-1) turned pro in 2011. “The Hebrew Hammer” won the WBC International Silver super-lightweight title in 2014 against Mayan Jargal. After losing to Yves Ulysses Jr. in 2017, Seldin has won five in a row. He beat Zab Judah in 2019 for the WBA NABA super-lightweight title. Seldin’s last fight was a KO win over William Silva in 2021.
Mati (13-0) turned pro in 2018. In his last fight in October, Mati beat Eduardo Leonel Rodriguez for the WBC Youth Silver super-lightweight title.
In super-lightweight action, Aaron Aponte faces Joshua David Rivera. Aponte (6-0-1) turned pro in 2020. “The Alien King” won three in a row in 2022 before fighting Fernando Angel Molina to a draw in his last bout in September. Rivera (8-1) turned pro in 2018. Primarily fighting in Mexico, Rivera competed in a series of fights against Edgar Daniel Ahumada. Losing to Ahumada in 2021, Rivera rebounded in his last fight in October by beating him.
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Rounding out the card, it will be Harley Mederos vs. Julio Madera in lightweight action. Mederos (4-0) turned pro in 2021. He has won two fights in a row via TKO, his last bout against Aaron Jamel Hollis in September. Madera (4-2) turned pro in 2021. After losing two in a row, Madera rebounded in September by beating Hugo Vasquez Mondragon via TKO.
When is Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz?
Date: Saturday, January 4 | Sunday, January 5
Start time: 8 p.m. ET | 1 a.m. GMT | 12 p.m. AEDT
Main event: 11:15 p.m. ET | 4:15 a.m. BST | 3:15 p.m. AEDT
Serrano vs. Cruz takes place on January 4. The main card starts at 8 p.m. ET | 1 a.m. GMT | 12 p.m. AEDT. Serrano and Cruz should make their way to the ring around 11:15 p.m. ET | 4:15 a.m. BST | 3:15 p.m. AEDT, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
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How to watch Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz
Country
Date
Channel + Live Stream (main card)
United States
Sat. Jan 4
DAZN
United Kingdom
Sun. Jan 5
DAZN
Australia
Sun. Jan 5
DAZN
In the U.S., U.K., and Australia, Serrano vs. Cruz will air on DAZN.
Amanda Serrano vs. Erika Cruz price: How much does the fight cost?
DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99, $24.99 in Canada, ?7.99 in the U.K.
DAZN annual subscription: $149.99, $199.99 in Canada
To watch Serrano vs. Cruz, you can either pay for a DAZN monthly subscription ($19.99) or an annual subscription ($149.99). In Canada, a DAZN monthly subscription is $24.99, while an annual subscription is $199.99.
