Amanda Serrano burst into tears in the ring as it was announced that her main-event bout against Nina Meinke was cancelled on Saturday night, just minutes before it was supposed to take place.
Serrano was deemed medically unfit to compete by the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission after suffering an eye injury Friday.
Event promoter and Jake Paul’s company Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced the fight was cancelled around 30 minutes before Serrano was set to take to the ring.
‘Amanda Serrano has unfortunately been declared medically unfit by the Puerto Rican Boxing Commission to fight tonight due to an eye injury she sustained yesterday,’ a statement from MVP read.
‘She is devastated that she won’t be able to perform in front of her hometown fans, but despite wanting to go out and put on a show, the Commission said there is no way she can fight with her eye in its current condition.
Amanda Serrano burst into tears as it was announced that her main-event bout was cancelled
Jake Paul announced that the Puerto Rican fighter had been deemed medically unfit
The announcement came just minutes before Serrano was set to fight Nina Meinke (right)
‘This decision equally affects Nina Meinke and MVP will be paying her fight purse in full. MVP and Amanda would like to apologize to everyone in attendance and the company will provide full refunds for all those seeking it. Details to follow on the ticket refund process.
‘Amanda is proud of the way her fellow MVP teammates have competed tonight, she appreciates the love and support of her fans, and hopes to return to the ring soon.’
The event was supposed to be Serrano’s homecoming, marking the first time she’s fought in her native Puerto Rico since becoming undisputed featherweight champion.
But the home crowd booed the emotional fighter as she addressed them in the ring following the announcement.
‘I wanted to fight in front of my people,’ Serrano said, while apologizing and adding that she would one day have her retirement fight in Puerto Rico.
She later took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to further apologize to her fans and her opponent.
Serrano was visibly emotional as she apologized to her home crowd on Saturday night
She later took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to further apologize to her fans and opponent
‘This to all my beautiful Fans, My Island, My fellow fighters who have been sending me well wishes With a Torn Broken Heart I want to say I’m So Sorry,’ she wrote. ‘Everyone who knows me knows I’m a warrior & I would never agree to cancel a fight. I would have fought without an eye or arm.
‘To my opponent @ninathebrave you’re an amazing respectful fighter. I thank you and promise you we will fight & you will get your title opportunity. You deserve it all
‘To My Managers @jakepaul I love you with all my heart Nakisa you too. You’re my life line and savior you guys gave me meaning
‘To my Entire Heart Jordan on your birthday I Fumbled the ball I’m Sorry & I Love you more than life.’
Her promoter Jake Paul, who stopped Ryan Bourland in his second straight win against a pro boxer before Serrano vs, Meinke was set to go ahead, suggested that the issue arose 36 hours before the fight.
‘Amanda came to fight, put in a hard camp [but] she was failing some eye tests,’ he said.
Paul stopped Ryan Bourland (right) in his second straight win against a pro boxer
‘Her cornea is exposed, you can’t risk losing your eyesight forever. I know she’s a warrior. This happened very last minute.’
MVP announced during the event that everyone who paid for tickets would receive a full refund.
Meanwhile, WBO president Francisco Paco Valcarcel said that Serrano would not be stripped of her title and Meinke will remain the mandatory challenger.
‘I’m absolutely gutted,’ Meinke said. ‘We all wanted this fight — I wanted this fight. Puerto Rico wanted this fight. I really hope we can make this happen again.’