The world of professional boxing, and indeed sports entertainment, has often been a realm where tradition holds firm, sometimes even against the tide of evolving viewership habits. Yet, on a recent Friday night, a historic third encounter between two titans of women`s boxing, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, delivered not just a memorable fight, but a seismic shift in how major sporting events are consumed. Their trilogy bout, broadcast exclusively on Netflix, didn`t merely draw an audience; it shattered records, positioning itself as the most viewed women`s professional sporting event of 2025, setting an undeniably high bar for the year.
A Viewership Phenomenon Unfolds
The anticipation surrounding the third clash between Ireland`s Katie Taylor and Puerto Rico`s Amanda Serrano was palpable. Their first two encounters had already carved a significant niche in boxing history: the inaugural meeting at Madison Square Garden commanded a respectable 1.5 million international viewers on DAZN, while their second bout, a co-main event to the high-profile Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson card, reached an astonishing 74 million viewers. However, their latest foray into the ring, headlining their own show on Netflix, was a venture into uncharted territory for high-stakes boxing.
The gamble paid off spectacularly. Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) revealed figures that left many industry observers quite impressed. The event reportedly drew as high as 6 million viewers throughout the night in America alone. More specifically, the main event, the highly anticipated Taylor vs. Serrano bout, garnered a remarkable 4.2 million viewers in the US, according to data from VideoAmp and Netflix. These numbers not only dwarfed the previous standalone women`s boxing events but also significantly outpaced established sporting fixtures, such as the tournament-winning Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals, which recorded 2.8 million viewers on traditional television.
Beyond the Ring: Financial Success and Global Reach
The impact of Taylor vs. Serrano III extended far beyond mere viewership counts. The event, held once again at the iconic Madison Square Garden, solidified its commercial viability with staggering live gate and attendance figures. A sold-out crowd of 19,721 spectators contributed to a live gate of $2.63 million. This figure represents more than double the gate from their first meeting and marks the largest gate ever for a boxing event headlined by two women. It`s a clear testament to the immense fan engagement and the drawing power of these athletes.
Furthermore, the event’s global reach underscored the power of the Netflix platform. The broadcast quickly ascended to the #1 spot on Netflix in the US, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Its influence wasn`t confined to these key markets; the event successfully made it into the Top 10 in a remarkable 43 countries worldwide, demonstrating a truly international appeal for women`s boxing when presented effectively.
The Promoters` Vision: A Resounding Vindication
The architects behind this monumental success were none other than Jake Paul and his business partner Nakisa Bidarian of Most Valuable Promotions. Having promoted the second and third fights (co-promoting the first with Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn), they had invested heavily in the vision of an all-women`s fight card. While some purists and seasoned promoters might have scratched their heads or, perhaps, openly questioned the commercial wisdom of an all-female lineup, MVP`s strategic placement on Netflix proved to be a masterstroke.
Jake Paul, ever the showman and astute businessman, took to social media to express his triumph, stating: “Pay attention… MVPs Taylor Serrano 3, an all women’s event, did bigger numbers in the US than the Stanley Cup finals. W.” Bidarian echoed this sentiment at the post-fight press conference, addressing the doubters directly: “Even though many within the boxing landscape, including Eddie Hearn, have said, ‘Why would you do an all-women’s card? It doesn’t work.’ Guess what? It f—ing worked. Okay?” It seems the numbers speak louder than any conventional wisdom, delivering a rather emphatic “I told you so” to the skeptics.
A New Era for Women`s Sports
The record-breaking success of Taylor vs. Serrano III on Netflix is more than just a boxing story; it`s a pivotal moment for women`s professional sports. It demonstrates unequivocally that with proper investment, strategic promotion, and the right platform, female athletes can command massive audiences and generate significant revenue. This event serves as a powerful proof of concept, not only for women`s boxing but for the broader landscape of women`s athletics, suggesting that the era of relegating female sporting events to niche broadcasts is rapidly fading.
As streaming platforms continue to evolve and capture larger segments of global viewership, the partnership between sports and these digital giants will only deepen. Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, through their captivating rivalry and their willingness to break new ground, have not only cemented their legacies as iconic fighters but have also paved a brighter, more visible path for future generations of female athletes. The message is clear: the demand for compelling women`s sports is not just present, it`s immense, and its potential is only beginning to be fully realized.
