Amanda Serrano stands on the brink of boxing history as she prepares to face Cheyenne Hanson in a featherweight title unification bout that could see her equal one of the sport’s most enduring records. The Puerto Rican superstar, already a seven-division world champion, enters the ring with 31 career knockouts—just one shy of Christie Martin’s all-time female record of 32, which has stood for over two decades. A victory by stoppage would tie the mark and set the stage for an outright claim to history in her next appearance.
Martin’s record, set during a pioneering career that spanned from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, has long been considered untouchable. For 21 years, the benchmark of 32 knockouts by a female fighter remained unchallenged, a testament to Martin’s power and longevity. Serrano, however, has been closing in relentlessly, having knocked out three of her last five opponents. Now, at featherweight—where she feels strongest—she sees the moment as inevitable.
“It definitely is an ambition,” Serrano said of the record. “This fight would tie the record. She’s had it for over 21 years. I’m so close—I have to break it—I can feel it in my bones.” The confidence is backed by a stellar career that includes titles from junior featherweight to lightweight, making her one of the most decorated fighters in women’s boxing history. With a professional record of 48 wins, four losses, and one draw, Serrano’s only remaining milestone is surpassing Martin’s knockout tally.
Standing opposite Serrano will be the hard-hitting German, Cheyenne Hanson, who is far from a mere stepping stone. Hanson boasts a formidable 76% knockout-to-win ratio and rides a nine-fight winning streak stretching back to 2021. Her aggressive style mirrors Serrano’s own preference for toe-to-toe action, a fact the champion welcomes. “She’s a come-forward fighter, but those are the fights I like,” Serrano noted. “They’re the fights I’ve loved in my career.”
The stylistic matchup strongly suggests a knockout finish is likely. Both women possess concussive power and a willingness to engage in close quarters. Serrano’s comfort at featherweight adds another layer of danger for Hanson; the champion is undefeated in the division and has looked increasingly dominant as she has settled into the weight class. “I’m at featherweight, where I feel my best, where I feel my strongest,” Serrano said. “I am undefeated at featherweight.”
Beyond the immediate prize of unifying the WBA and WBO belts, the fight carries broader significance for women’s boxing. Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, revealed that Serrano willingly accepted a reduced purse to help stage the event in El Paso, stepping in to support teammate Stephanie Hahn. “Amanda didn’t hesitate and said, ‘I’ll take less. I want to do this. This is important for me to show these women what it means to be a team player, what it means to try to push women’s boxing forward,’” Bidarian told Sky Sports. The gesture underscores Serrano’s commitment to growing the sport and mentoring the next generation.
For Serrano, tying Martin’s record is not just a personal accolade but a transformative moment for the sport’s visibility. Martin’s reign as the knockout queen coincided with an era when female fighters struggled for mainstream acceptance. Serrano’s pursuit comes amid a boom in women’s boxing, with higher purses, sold-out arenas, and headline slots on major cards. Breaking the record would further cement Serrano’s legacy as one of the all-time greats, not only for her statistical feats but for her role in elevating the sport.
As fight night approaches in El Paso, the stakes are clear. A knockout win would etch Serrano’s name alongside—and soon above—a legend, while a loss or a decision victory would only delay the inevitable. The bout headlines an MVP Boxing card featuring rising stars and veteran talent, but all eyes will be on the main event. With her hometown fans behind her, Serrano is determined to deliver a performance that honors the past while building the future. Based on reporting from Sky Sports.