Netflix is back in business with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, setting its second ever live boxing special for July 11 at Madison Square Garden.
The event will be headlined by a rematch of Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano, who were featured in last year’s Netflix boxing debut, when their fight lead in to Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson. This time, Taylor vs. Serrano 3 will be the main event, and the entire card will be headlined by women boxers, in a first for MSG.
“Taylor-Serrano 2 was not just one of the most thrilling fights I’ve ever witnessed; it also made history as the most-watched professional women’s sports event in the US,” said Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, in a statement. “At Netflix we’re proud to continue to elevate the profile of women athletes and to bring another historic event to our global audience with MVP.”
Last year’s Netflix boxing event drew enormous viewership, with the streaming giant citing 108 million viewers for Paul vs. Tyson, and 74 million for Taylor vs. Serrano, both record-shattering numbers. Paul’s MVP faced criticism over the Tyson fight, with some social media users suggesting that it was rigged. MVP responded in a statement calling those claims “incorrect and baseless,” and added that it was hoping to secure a “long-term partnership with the streaming giant.
It is not immediately clear if MVP and Netflix have a long-term deal, but they are getting back in business for at least one more boxing mega-event, one that will be held at the world’s most famous arena.
“This is more than just a fight — it’s a celebration of the unmatched talent of women in boxing,” said Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor have already shattered barriers and inspired millions, and this trilogy fight at the iconic Madison Square Garden will be another historic step forward for women’s sports.”
“I want to thank everyone at Matchroom, MVP and Netflix for getting the trilogy over the line and I can’t wait to headline at MSG again in July,” said Katie Taylor in a statement. “I’m 2 and 0 against Amanda but it’s obviously a very special rivalry that delivers every time we step in the ring so I think it’s only right that we have the trilogy. The atmosphere for the first fight there was amazing and I’m sure it won’t be any different this time around. The numbers that got to see the last fight in November were incredible so hopefully those people will all want to tune in for the trilogy fight as well and we can deliver another great fight.”
“I promised my fans they would see this trilogy, and I’m incredibly grateful that we get to complete our journey where it all began — at Madison Square Garden, live on Netflix for the world to see,” added Serrano. “I’m disappointed that Katie Taylor did not keep her word and make the trilogy 12 three-minute rounds, equal to the men. This is a record-setting payday for both of us, and we owed it to the fans to honor the handshake deal we made. She didn’t. But make no mistake, every time we share the ring, it is war, and I know Friday, July 11, will be the greatest yet because I will finally get the official W I deserve. Headlining an all-female card at MSG, representing both New York and Puerto Rico, is something I never thought would be possible, and it wouldn’t be without Nakisa Bidarian, Jake Paul, and MVP’s commitment to elevating women’s boxing. I’m proud to stand alongside all the talented women on this card, and I hope our fight inspires young girls everywhere to keep believing in themselves and never stop chasing their dreams.”
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