Except WBC, Why Amanda Serrano Still Holds WBA, IBF, and WBO Titles: Do These Bodies Sanctioned 12×3-Minute Rounds for Women’s Boxing?

Amanda Serrano is undeniably one of the biggest names in the sport of women’s boxing. The featherweight queen recently went up against Danila Ramos, making history in the process. Why? The 46-2-1 world champion fought Ramos in the first ever twelve – three minute round just like men. Despite this recent accomplishment, ‘The Real Deal’ Serrano found himself embroiled in a controversy.

Moreover, Serrano has been the loudest voice advocating for having the same rules as their male counterparts. Her last fight against Ramos was her way of furthering the cause, but the same efforts became the reason for her losing the WBC title. So, why did Serrano lose her WBC title and not the others? More importantly, did the boxing-sanctioning bodies acknowledge Serrano’s 12×3 round fight?

Amanda Serrano, the WBA, IBF, and WBO champion but not the WBC champion – Why?

Serrano previously unified the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO, and Ring Magazine titles, becoming perhaps the best female boxer. However, after Serrano defeated Ramos in their twelve–three–minute rounds fight, the WBC did not sanction the fight. In response, the featherweight champion relinquished the title. 

Speaking about her decision, Serrano wrote in an Instagram post, “Moving forward, if a sanctioning body doesn’t want to give me and my fellow fighters the choice to fight the same as the men, then I will not be fighting for that sanctioning body.” She further added that because the WBC is unwilling to evolve the sport for women, she is relinquishing the title. However, what do the other sanctioning bodies think about Serrano’s title defense against Ramos?

WBA, IBF, and WBO’s stance on Serrano’s fight

While the WBC refused to acknowledge Serrano’s historical fight, other sanctioning bodies seemingly did not have any issues with the fight. It’s worth mentioning that none of the sanctioning bodies traditionally have sanctioned a twelve-three-minute rounds fight. However, the WBC is seemingly continuing that tradition. 

The president of WBC, Mauricio Sulaiman, recently turned to X (formerly Twitter) to explain his stance on the decision. “Tennis—women play 3 sets, basketball the basket is shorter and the ball smaller, and those are not contact sports. We stand by safety and well-being of the fighters,” Sulaiman wrote in his tweet. Regardless of what Sulaiman claims about his stance, here’s what Serrano had to say about the fight.

Amanda Serrano can’t feel the difference

After competing in the historical fight, Amanda Serrano expressed her experience inside the ring. Having fought in both ten-two-minute round fights and twelve-three-minute rounds – the featherweight queen claims she could not feel the difference. “What’s so funny is that when I was in there, I really couldn’t feel the difference,” Serrano said, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.

Also Read: After Amanda Serrano vacates title, WBC Makes Bold Move, Orders Fight for Vacant Featherweight Title

Serrano went on to suggest that she had to prove to everyone that women are equally capable as men. “I felt good. I was in really good shape. I trained really hard for this fight, knowing I had to go out there and prove to everybody, prove people right or prove people wrong, that women can do whatever they put their minds to,” said Serrano.

That’s the reason Serrano is now the WBA, IBF, and WBO world champion but not the WBC champion. While WBC doesn’t agree with the whole twelve-three-minute rounds, other sanctioning boards seem okay with it. However, the bigger question is – what are your thoughts on twelve-three-minute rounds for female boxing? 

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