BOXING legend Amanda Serrano went a decade and a half flying under the radar – until Jake Paul put her on the map.
Serrano was already a world champion in seven different divisions by the time she first met Paul in 2020.
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The YouTuber-turned boxer made his professional debut – beating online rival AnEsonGib in one round – on the same card as Serrano.
And he was left stunned at the tiny paydays the Puerto Rican icon was making despite her accomplishments in the ring.
In fact, even Serrano admits her nephews cared little about her career or boxing in general – until Paul and his brother Logan came along.
Serrano, 35, told SunSport: “I used to hear his blogs going on in the room or his ‘Everyday Bro’ and I’m like, ‘Who is Everyday Bro?’
“So I started watching the YouTube videos as well and that’s how I knew about Jake and Logan.
“And when they told me he was going to fight, I tuned in I thought that was cool, let’s see how this goes.”
Serrano in 2021 became the first fighter signed to Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.
And along with business partner Nakisa Bidarian, they made the female fighting pioneer a millionaire and household boxing name.
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Serrano said: “I’ve been in boxing going on 15 years and it took a young man like Jake Paul from a whole different avenue of entertainment to put a spotlight on me.
“I struggled, by the time Jake signed me I was seven-division world champion, I was already an established fighter.
“But today I’m the highest-paid female fighter, selling out arenas, followed by many, many people and I’m just super honoured to be part of MVP, Jake Paul, Nakisa, who really changed my career.”
Serrano in April 2022 lost a Fight of The Year contender with Ireland’s Katie Taylor in the famed Madison Square Garden in New York.
She has since bounced back with four wins and claimed the undisputed crown at featherweight.
But one of her biggest bouts has come outside the ring and that is the fight for equality.
Serrano – who headlines on Saturday against Nina Meinke – has called on boxing chiefs to allow her to box 12 rounds of three minutes – as men do.
Her last two opponents have agreed to step up from the usual ten rounds of two minutes and Serrano hopes more will do the same.
She said: “So far I’ve had two that took the fight with no problem and there’s many out there that are willing to do it and want to do it.
“I’m hoping they can follow in my footsteps and put their footsteps and fight for what they believe in and make that choice.”
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