Amanda Serrano Fight Cancellation: What Are the Eyesight Rules in Pro Boxing?

Amanda Serrano will have to go back home disappointed! Even though she did not lose the fight, ‘The Real Deal’ isn’t happy with the outcome. After Jake Paul demolished Ryan Bourland in the first round of their fight in Puerto Rico, it was revealed that Serrano was deemed unfit to fight by the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission.

After the unfortunate decision, an emotional Serrano took center stage to address her fellow countryfolk. “I put everything on the line for you guys. I just want you guys to be proud of me. I’m so sorry from the bottom of my heart,” said Serrano. Even Paul came to her defense, claiming, “Her cornea is exposed, and we could not risk losing her eye sight forever for a fight.” However, it begs the question, what are the eyesight rules that prevented ‘The Real Deal’ from defending her WBO, IBF, and WBA women’s featherweight titles against Nina Meinke?

These rules caused Amanda Serrano to weep

While not much information is available about the specifics of the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission’s eyesight rules, here’s what other major boxing commissions highlighted. According to the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports, all fighters must submit a detailed ophthalmological eye exam administered by a licensed ophthalmologist. Moreover, the results of the eye exam must be valid for one year from the date of the exam.

On the other hand, according to the Nevada Athletic Commission, they can deny, suspend, revoke, or place restrictions on the license of a professional unarmed combatant under certain conditions. First, if a fighter’s vision doesn’t match the “visual field of 60 degrees or less extending over one or more quadrants.” Second, “Presence or history of retinal detachment or retinal tear.” 

Also Read: Jake Paul’s MVP Announces Full Refund After Amanda Serrano vs. Nina Meinke Fight Cancellation

However, in the case of the second condition, a boxer can get the injury treated and then get it approved by a commission-appointed ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist must clear the fighter from “significant risk of further injury to the retina if boxing is resumed.” While a retinal tear can be treated, and the fighter may resume boxing, the same can not be said about Glaucoma. 

According to the third condition set by the Nevada Athletic Commission, they can bar a combatant if there is a “Presence of primary or secondary glaucoma, whether or not such condition has been treated.” The same goes for fighters with “Presence of aphakia, pseudophakia, dislocated lens or cataract in either eye.” 

Besides these, the Nevada Athletic Commission may stop a fighter from competing if they find any other eye-related ailment deemed by the commission to pose a risk to the fighter’s safety during a boxing match. So, in case, the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission’s eyesight rules are anything similar to these, Serrano must fall under one of these regulations.

Despite waiting for months to fight in front of her hometown, Amanda Serrano found destiny had inscribed a different path. As she promised to return to the ring on a later date, it would be interesting to see what she brings to the canvas next time. What do you think about the regulations? Did the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission overreact? 

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