Australia’s Skye Falzon has been sensationally added to what already shapes as the biggest few weeks in national boxing history: challenging Amanda Serrano in what will be the Puerto Rican superstar’s blockbuster farewell.
Only months after fighting – and winning – at a Sydney RSL club, Fox Sports Australia can confirm Falzon has been catapulted into a showdown for Serrano’s WBO and WBA featherweight titles.
Dubbed The Last Walk, the January 9 event will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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Currently ranked No.4 among WBA featherweights, the gutsy Batemans Bay slugger is on a tear of 11 straight wins.
The most recent of those came in September, when Falzon earned a comprehensive decision win against India’s Monika Singh and Canterbury-Hurlston Park RSL.
And while the Aussie has never fought anyone remotely close to the class of Serrano, she has vowed to now “create history” in the new year.
Better, the opportunity means the South Coast puncher suddenly inks her name onto the end of an incredible run of fights including world title bouts for Tim Tszyu, Liam Paro and Skye Nicolson.
Elsewhere, Nikita Tszyu is also set to make his US debut in early December.
For Serrano, meanwhile, the January headliner brings down the curtain on an incredible career that has seen her break barriers, unify divisions, and win gold straps across a staggering seven different divisions.
But as for her Aussie rival?
While Falzon only took up boxing at age 24, this fighter born in the same year as UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski is now looking to create her own slice of Australian sporting history.
“After 14 years as a professional boxer, I’ve been given the opportunity of a lifetime,” Falzon said.
“I’m stepping into the ring with the best female boxer in the world.
“This is more than just a fight.
“It represents years of sacrifice, dedication, setbacks and an unwavering belief in myself.
“Opportunities like this are what fighters dream of and I’ve worked my entire career for this moment.”
Quizzed on her opponent, the Aussie continued: “I have nothing but respect for Amanda Serrano.
“She is a pioneer.
“But I’m not stepping into that ring just to share it with greatness. I’m stepping in there to create my own piece of boxing history.”
After a career that has taken her all around the world – including a 2022 Madison Square Garden headliner against Katie Taylor – Serrano now returns to Puerto Rico for one final fight in front of her home fans.
“Boxing has been my life,” she said shortly after the fight was announced. “And I never could’ve imagined the journey it would take me and my family on.
“From the early days when women’s boxing was fighting for recognition in small theatre shows, to headlining Madison Square Garden, reaching millions of fans, helping open doors for the next generation … I’m proud of everything accomplished.”
Serrano also praised her promoters, Most Valuable Promotions.
“None of it happened alone,” she continued. “Nakisa, Jake and MVP believed in me and in women’s boxing.
“And together we’ve helped change what’s possible for women in this sport.
“We’ve fought for respect, equal opportunities, fair pay, and the choice to compete under the same rules as men.
“There’s still more work to do. And I’ll continue fighting for the next generation long after I hang up my gloves.
“To close my career at home in Puerto Rico, in front of the people who have supported me from the beginning, means everything.
“I’m going to give the fans one final night to remember. This is The Last Walk of my boxing career, and I hope everyone who has been part of this journey, from Puerto Rico and New York to fans watching around the world on DAZN, will be there to share it with me.”
In a statement, MVP founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian said: “Amanda Serrano is the MOAT – the Most Of All Time.
“The most accomplished female boxer of all time, the most watched, the most paid, and one of the most influential athletes this sport has ever seen.
“When Amanda became MVP’s first signee, we made a commitment to build a platform where the greatest female fighters in the world could receive the recognition, compensation and opportunities they deserve.
“Amanda has been the foundation of that vision, and her success has helped change the entire landscape of women’s boxing.
“Together, we’ve shattered records, delivered some of the biggest events in combat sports history and proven that women’s boxing belongs on the world’s biggest stages.
“The Last Walk is a celebration of an athlete who changed the sport forever, and alongside DAZN – who has supported women’s boxing’s biggest events time and time again – we’re proud to give Amanda the farewell she deserves.
“[This event] will mark the end of an extraordinary career inside the ring, but Amanda’s legacy will live on through every female fighter who follows in her footsteps.”