Photo Credit: MVP / Cristian Candamil
NEW YORK, NY – In a first-of-its-kind landmark deal, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today signed boxing legend and record-breaking seven-division world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs) to a lifetime agreement. The agreement will see Serrano compete under the MVP banner for the rest of her boxing career until she retires. Post her in-ring retirement, Serrano will become the Chairwoman of MVP’s women’s boxing initiatives and lead the company’s efforts in identifying, signing, developing and marketing the promotion’s growing roster of female athletes. As someone who has broken barriers throughout her career and fought for equality, Serrano will continue that mission by empowering future generations, serving as both a role model and mentor for rising female fighters.
Serrano is the first-ever Puerto Rican undisputed world champion and the most decorated fighter in women’s boxing history. Following in the footsteps of her sister, former world champion Cindy Serrano, Amanda turned pro in 2009, claiming her first title just over two years into her career. From 2011 to 2019, she captured world titles across seven weight divisions, earning recognition from Guinness World Records for the most boxing world championships won by a female in different weight classes. Serrano’s current featherweight reign began with a 10-round victory over Heather Hardy in 2019 to claim the WBO belt, which she has successfully defended six times since.
Jake Paul first met Amanda Serrano by chance in 2020, when she fought on the undercard of his pro debut. Impressed by her third-round stoppage win, Paul kept a close eye on Serrano’s career. When he and Nakisa Bidarian founded MVP, they made women’s boxing a core tenet of their mission. They invited Serrano to fight as Paul’s co-main event in 2021, where she received overwhelming fan support. Recognizing her talent and potential to elevate women’s boxing, Paul and Bidarian signed Serrano one month later, working to build her brand and amplify her visibility. Their goal was clear: to disrupt the status quo and bring women’s boxing to the mainstream — with Serrano leading the charge.
Serrano’s second fight after signing with MVP, against Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden in 2022, made history as the first women’s bout to headline the iconic venue. The historic clash ended in a narrow split decision in Taylor’s favor and earned global acclaim, winning Sports Illustrated’s Fight of the Year and The Ring’s Event of the Year for 2022. The event’s impact extended beyond boxing, earning a nomination for Sports Business Journal’s Event of the Year, highlighting its worldwide reach and significance.
Following that historic bout, Serrano defeated Sarah Mahfoud in Manchester, England, adding the Dane’s IBF title to her WBO, WBC, and IBO featherweight belts. She then cemented her legacy with a blood-soaked victory over WBA featherweight champion Erika Cruz in February 2023, becoming the undisputed featherweight champion. Serrano, the first ever undisputed champion from Puerto Rico, defended her title for the first time in August 2023, earning a decisive 10-round unanimous decision victory over Heather Hardy in a redemption bout. In October 2023, Serrano made history again, defeating Danila Ramos by unanimous decision in the first-ever women’s unified world championship contested over 12 three-minute rounds — equal to a men’s championship fight. She threw a career-high 1,103 punches in the bout, further solidifying her status as a trailblazer for gender equality in boxing. In recognition of her achievements inside and outside the ring, Serrano was named the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Female Fighter of the Year for 2023, as well as Sports Illustrated’s and Boxing Scene’s 2023 Women’s Fighter of the Year. She continued her dominance in July 2024, scoring a second-round knockout victory over Stevie Morgan in a super lightweight bout.
Serrano went on to face Katie Taylor in the most anticipated women’s boxing rematch in modern history, battling for the undisputed super lightweight championship. Taylor vs. Serrano 2 served as the co-main event of MVP’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson card on Netflix in November 2024. The fight shattered records, becoming the most-watched professional women’s sports event in U.S. history, with 74 million live viewers globally, 56 million peak concurrent views, and an average minute audience (AMA) of 47 million in the U.S. The bout, named 2024 Women’s Fight of the Year by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Boxing Scene, ended in a razor-thin decision victory for Taylor — sparking global debate and skyrocketing Serrano’s social following by over 1.2 million, making her the most-followed female fighter in the world. #Serrano also trended at #2 on X in the U.S., Brazil, Spain, and Canada post-fight, further cementing her status as a global icon.
Amanda Serrano and her manager Jordan Maldonado previously entered a partnership with MVP in March 2024 to identify, sign, and develop Puerto Rican fighters with MVP. In 2024, this led to MVP’s first two events on the island and signing of three rising Puerto Rican stars, Serrano’s protegee and the #12-ranked WBA flyweight Krystal Rosado (5-0, 2 KOs), the WBA’s #11 featherweight and WBO Youth Featherweight champion Jan Paul Rivera (11-0, 6 KOs), and three-time US national boxing champion and high fashion model Alexis “Chop Chop” Chaparro (3-0, 3 KOs). MVP will continue spotlighting Puerto Rican talent and bringing further events and opportunities to the island.
Serrano’s success has also made her a sought-after figure for brand partnerships. In 2024, she teamed up with Verizon’s Total Wireless ahead of Taylor vs. Serrano 2, securing her first-ever cell phone as part of the deal. That same year, she partnered with Subway Puerto Rico and joined CELSIUS’ roster of athletes, adding to a growing slate of corporate sponsorships across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, including Dodge Puerto Rico and popular supermarket chain Econo. Serrano’s combined earnings from fights and endorsements have surpassed eight figures — an achievement she reached within just three years of signing with Most Valuable Promotions under the leadership of Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul. Her groundbreaking success has not only elevated her career but also paved the way for future generations of female fighters to thrive both inside and outside the ring.
“Signing this lifetime deal with MVP means I can continue fighting — not just in the ring, but for the next generation of women in combat sports,” said Amanda Serrano. “MVP has always been committed to elevating female fighters, from being the first women to headline Madison Square Garden to breaking viewership records for women’s sports or making history with 12 three-minute rounds. Together, we’ve shown the world that women deserve equal pay, equal rounds, and equal respect. I’m proud to build my legacy with MVP and excited to stay on after I retire as a fighter to deepen MVP’s impact and help create even more opportunities for women in the sport.”
“Amanda Serrano is the heart and soul of MVP. Her relentless drive, historic achievements, and passion for uplifting other fighters are everything we are looking for in both signees and as future decision makers alongside us at MVP,” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “Amanda has paved the way for female fighters worldwide, shattering glass ceilings and demanding equality at every step. We are so fortunate to have her as both a fighter and a trailblazer who will continue to shape the sport long after she retires from the ring. This lifetime agreement is a testament to our belief in Amanda, not just as an athlete but as a visionary leader who will help guide MVP’s future and inspire generations to come.”
“Amanda’s journey is about more than titles and accolades. It’s about breaking barriers and lifting up the next generation of fighters,” said Jordan Maldonado. “I’ve been in Amanda’s corner since the beginning as she’s fought for every opportunity, becoming the most decorated fighter in women’s boxing history and the pride of Puerto Rico as their first undisputed champion. Working with MVP has transformed her career and legacy and there is no place we would rather be. MVP isn’t just a company for us, it is our family. This lifetime agreement ensures Amanda can create those same opportunities for women around the world, long after she hangs up the gloves.”
For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions, @JakePaul and @Serranosisters or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions, @JakePaul, and @serranosisters.
