Laura Serrano Garcia (born October 20, 1967, in Mexico City) is a Mexican boxer.
Serrano began boxing at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in Mexico City, where she was studying to become a lawyer. She wanted to lose weight and stay in shape. She applied for a professional boxer's license in Mexico. After a short appearance in two episodes of the Volver a empezar soap opera, she went to Las Vegas, and on a pay per view card she challenged Christy Martin for the world title. It was her first fight as a professional and resulted in a draw.
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 Pay Per View event's undercard 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 ordinance was dropped.
Serrano suffered a foot injury for which she underwent surgery, but in 1999 she came back and won a decision in her comeback bout. She then, on 2 September 1999, [details from her BoxRec page] met and defeated the world champion Tracy Byrd to become Mexico's first woman world boxing champion.
She defended her title against Cinthya Prouder (won in a unanimous decision after round 6), Alicia Ashley (won in a unanimous decision after round 8), Gina Greenwald (knockout in round 1) and Kelsey Jeffries (knockout in round 3), followed. The Jeffries fight resulted in Jeffries' first defeat.
On August 12, 2008, Serrano challenged Melissa Del Valle for the Junior Lightweight title. Once again, this world title attempt resulted in a draw (tie).
Serrano has won her last two world title defenses, both decisions, one in ten rounds in Las Vegas and another one, a six-round win in Phoenix.
Personal As of 2005, she was engaged to be married. Serrano is also a lawyer.
During 2015, she was inducted as the first Mexican female boxer in the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes252423LossIna MenzerUD2007-11-17Bordelandhalle, Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, GermanyWomen's International Boxing Federation World featherweight title22WinShanty OrtizUD2007-09-21Sindicato de Taxistas, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico21LossJeannine GarsideUD2006-11-04Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canadavacant Women's International Boxing Association World featherweight title20Win Tracy ByrdRTD2006-04-01Sky Ute Casino, Ignacio, Colorado, US19LossJo WymanUD2003-07-15Playboy Mansion, Beverly Hills, California, US18Loss Isra GirgrahSD2003-04-18Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, US17WinJo WymanTKO2003-02-07HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, US16WinJo WymanMD2002-03-22Celebrity Theater, Phoenix, Arizona, US15WinKelsey Jeffries2001-11-11Belterra Casino Resort, Elizabeth, Indiana, US14WinSnodene BlakeneyUD2001-09-23Sunset Station, San Antonio, Texas, US13Win Chevelle HallbackMD2001-07-08Texas Station Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, US12Draw Melissa Del VallePTS2000-08-12Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida, USWomen's International Boxing Association World super featherweight title11WinKelsey JeffriesTKO2000-06-16Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, US10WinGina GreenwaldTKO2000-05-24Treasure Chest Casino, Kenner, Louisiana, US9Win Alicia AshleyUD2000-02-11Gold Strike Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, US8WinCynthia ProuderUD1999-09-27Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, US7Win Tracy ByrdUD1999-09-02Gold Strike Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, US6Win Layla McCarterSD1999-07-26Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, US5WinGloria RamirezPTS1998-05-01Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico4WinCheryl NanceTKO29 Mar 1997Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, US3WinMaria Nieves GarciaPTS1996-04-22Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico2Win Deirdre GogartyTKO1995-04-20Aladdin Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USWomen's International Boxing Federation World lightweight title1Draw Christy MartinPTSMay 7, 1994MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, US
References
External links
Biography from the International Boxing Hall of Fame
Further reading