(JAN 30) Amanda (The Real Deal) Serrano, 128, Bronx, now 8-0-1 with 4 kayos, avenged the only blemish on her record with a 6 round unanimous decision victory over Ela (Bam Bam) Nunez, 130, Rochester, who drops to 9-8-1 with 2 kayos. The two drew over four rounds in Atlantic City last November.

Both fighters boxed cautiously in the first round with Serrano, a southpaw, getting the better of the action scoring well with the jab and an occasional straight left. In both the second and third rounds, Nunez, typically a swarmer, elected to fight at long range mostly forgoing lateral movement relying instead on in and out movement. When Nunez moved to the left, she did so at long range to avoid Serrano’s hook. It was apparent that Nunez was sitting at long-range in hopes that Serrano would aggressively reach with punches opening up countering possibilities.

Serrano was too fundamentally schooled to make that mistake, but while struggling with her range, she was too reserved with her punch production allowing Nunez to take command. Nunez landed several overhand rights to the body and head in the process. Rounds two and three belonged to Ela Nunez.

Round four began in similar fashion as the previous two with Nunez employing in and out movement attempting to draw Serrano into counters. This tactic waned in effectiveness as Serrano found a comfortable range and began landing combinations to the head and body of Nunez causing numerous big exchanges during the remainder of the round with Serrano landing the more telling blows.

Amanda closed the round strong cementing her claim to it.
Ela Nunez changed strategy in the fifth round by exchanging on the inside with Serrano, but had difficulty moving laterally due Serrano apparent improved ability in cutting such movement off. Nunez scored with the overhand right sporadically and seldom threw in combinations of more than two punches whereas Serrano put together compact four and five punch combinations. Serrano’s punch quality appeared to take some steam out of Nunez who was visibly fatigued after the fifth round.
The sixth and final round could have been fought in a phone booth, if there are any of those left, with both fighters exchanging punches at close quarters.

The 22-year old from the Bronx dominated the action landing the crisper and cleaner shots, but the veteran from Rochester fought valiantly making for great action. Long before the final bell, the capacity crowd rose to their feet and applauded the efforts of both fighters.

In the end, Judges Don Ackerman and Wynn Kintz both agreed 59-55 and Judge Tom Schreck score 58-56 all in favor of Amanda Serrano. This author also favored Serrano 58-56.

Amanda Serrano, with the win, has avenged the lone blemish on her record and has moved to another level, not only in the hierarchy of the featherweight division, but also in her evolution into a complete fighter. She displayed an improved ability to deal with lateral movement and showed flashes of long-range boxing ability. She also has a knack for stealing rounds with a heavy workload in the last 30 seconds.

Ela Nunez, who fights championship level competition each outing, still displays exceptional ability and owns a very deceiving record.