"I am so sorry. I wanted to fight in front of my people," a heartbroken Amanda Serrano told a stunned crowd in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, on Saturday night. The 35-year-old featherweight champion, sporting sunglasses throughout fight week due to a pre-existing eye concern, was ultimately deemed medically unfit to compete by the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission just moments before her much-anticipated homecoming fight against Nina Meinke. It is said that the eye injury was sustained from a hair dye chemical that had run into her eye while she was out running on Friday.
The drama unfolded after the co-main event, with Serrano and Meinke entering the ring together in an unsettling silence. An official statement from MVP, Serrano's promoter Jake Paul's company, then confirmed the worst fears: "Amanda Serrano has unfortunately been declared medically unfit by the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission to fight tonight due to an eye injury she sustained yesterday," the statement read.
An emotional Amanda Serrano expresses her heartfelt disappointment that she was not cleared to fight tonight. pic.twitter.com/hcTAYuZPgX
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 3, 2024
Disappointment turned into dismay as the announcement echoed through the arena, met with a chorus of boos from the passionate Puerto Rican crowd. Serrano, visibly emotional, addressed the fans, her voice thick with emotion. "I came ready to fight, I came to show my fans and put on a great show for all you guys," she said tearfully. "But the doctor didn't clear me because I got something in my eye, it happened a couple of days ago when I had my hair done and the doctor didn't clear me to fight."
Paul, ever the loyal promoter, jumped in to defend his fighter. "Listen, I know there are people booing, but Amanda came to fight, put in a hard camp," he said. "The doctors wouldn't let her move forward because of her eye, her cornea was exposed and she was failing some eye tests, she wasn't able to fight. You can't risk losing your eyesight forever just for a fight."
Despite the heartbreak, there were glimmers of hope. Serrano, wiping away tears, vowed to return: "I will be back and I will retire here. I will retire here for you guys," she declared to the crowd. "I give you guys everything, I put everything on the line for you guys."
To understand how bad I feel for what happened Myself & my team @jakepaul & @MostVpromotions are giving my opponent @ninathebrave 100% of her purse when the commission requires 50% & to my beautiful Island Every single person will get a full money return.
We are grateful &…— Amanda Serrano (@Serranosisters) March 3, 2024
In a further gesture of goodwill, Serrano, through MVP, announced that Meinke would receive her full fight purse, exceeding the mandated 50% share. "To understand how bad I feel for what happened Myself & my team @jakepaul & @MostVpromotions are giving my opponent @ninathebrave 100% of her purse when the commission requires 50%," Serrano wrote on social media. MVP also pledged a full refund to all ticket holders.
The Puerto Rican Boxing Commission has confirmed that Serrano will retain her WBO title, with Meinke holding onto her mandatory challenger status. While the immediate future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Amanda Serrano's warrior spirit burns bright, and her passionate Puerto Rican fans eagerly await her return to the ring.
