Laura Serrano proud to be inducted into the Canastota Hall of Fame
Women’s boxing pioneer Laura Serrano (17-5-3, 6KO), who has been living in Las Vegas for several years, discussed her recent induction into the Canastota Hall of Fame.
Happy to chat with the press, 55-year-old Laura said the news of her induction came as a surprise because, as we all know, she has been away from boxing for a while due to religious beliefs.
“It was very important news for me, but it moved me more for my parents, especially for my mother. She was my biggest fan, my biggest driving force and the best cheerleader I could have. Today my mom is no longer here. She passed in March but she found out about this distinction and I know it was a gift for her.”
Serrano, who is the first Latin American fighter to be inducted in this historic Hall of Fame, was clear saying that she dedicated a large part of her life to boxing and did the best she could in those days when it was difficult for women to fight, especially in Mexico. This is where she paved the way for many.
Laura recalled three great moments as pro, the first of which was her debut, neither more nor less than in Las Vegas against another great Christy Martin on a card promoted by Don King, when she won the world title after beating to the Irish Deirdre Gogarty and, of course, her induction into the Hall of Fame.
Laura shared the Class of 2023 with Rafael Márquez, Timothy Bradley Jr., Carl Froch and her rival and friend Alicia Ashley.
She recognised that boxing shaped her as a tenacious, disciplined, and courageous woman, and that even though she will always be grateful and linked to boxing today, her Life is governed by Jehovah.
Who is Laura Serrano?
Laura Serrano Garcia was born October 20, 1967 in Mexico City.
Serrano began boxing at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in Mexico City, where she was studying to become a lawyer. She initially began boxing to lose weight and get into shape.
She appeared in two episodes of the Volver a empezar soap opera.
Shortly after applying for her professional boxing licence, she flew out to the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and challenged Christy Martin, who was 21-1-1 at the time. Impressively, she fought to a draw, with all three scorecards at 57-57.
Serrano's next fight was against world champion Deirdre Gogarty. She won by a knockout in seven rounds, in what was the first all women's boxing undercard held at the Aladdin Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Serrano was supposed to box on the Julio César Chávez-Miguel Ángel González event in Mexico City. However, a ban from 1947 was found, forbidding women from boxing events in Mexico City.
Thanks in part to Serrano's subsequent legal battle, the ban was eventually overturned.
Serrano suffered a foot injury which required surgery, but in 1999 she returned to win a decision in her comeback bout.
On September 2, 1999, Serrano defeated the world champion Tracy Byrd to become Mexico's first woman world boxing champion.
She defended her title against Cinthya Prouder (unanimous decision round 6); Alicia Ashley (unanimous decision round 8); Gina Greenwald (knockout in round 1); and Kelsey Jeffries (knockout in round 3).
Her last fight was in September 2012, 18 years after her pro debut.
She went undefeated from 1994-2003. She was 17 bouts unbeaten before her first loss in April 2004.
Her five career defeats all came within her last eight fights. She has never been stopped.
She once fought in the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills.
She is the first female Mexican boxer to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.
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