Taylor v Serrano: Head clashes will play role in trilogy bout says ex-opponent
That is the opinion of Natasha Jonas, who lost to Taylor by unanimous decision in 2021.
Head clashes have been a feature of Taylor's last two bouts. Accidental collisions in Taylor's 2023 win over Chantelle Cameron irked the Northampton native, while Taylor was docked a point in her most recent bout with Serrano last November.
Serrano has made head clashes a topic of conversation heading into this fight, bringing up Katie's recent record on numerous occasions and even stoked the fires by wearing an amateur boxing headguard to one of the early press conferences.
Taylor has been adamant that any collisions are completely accidental and revealed last month that she was still annoyed by the referee's decision to dock her a point in her second fight with Serrano.
Jonas agrees that any head clashes are accidental, however, she still thinks they will be important this evening: 'I think the referee will be wary of head clashes and I think that will play a pivotal role. I don't think Katie does it on purpose, but I think it's something she can't help doing," Jonas told BetFred.
"I think the referee last time was the first that was brave enough to take a point off her for doing it, where she possibly deserved points off in other fights for doing it and that would have changed the course of those fights. I think that could play a big role because I don't think that's something she could change and I think it could be something that Serrano encourages.'
On who she thinks will win, Jonas said: 'I can see a way for both of them to win. I think there's a lot in Serrano's favour and what they're both waiting for is one chance to win. Like I've said, the referee will play a big role and I think that Katie's smart enough to win and Serrano's got the power and workrate to win.'
Throughout the build-up, Taylor has seemed more animated and willing to engage in trash talk than usual. However, at the final press conference before fight-night, the 2012 Olympic champion rejected these suggestions and insisted that she is focusing on doing her talking in the ring once again.
"Do I seem fired up?," Taylor asked. "I think I'm very calm, actually. No, I'm not fired up at all.
"I think I've been very calm throughout these press conferences but I am allowed to speak up as well."
She added: "I actually still hate these things to be honest. I am not a natural trash talker. I don't think it is trash talk. I am just responding to what is being said.
"Enough is enough of the nonsense, all the complaining and whining about decisions in fights. Enough is enough of that. I don't mind speaking my mind when I have to."
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