Amanda Serrano's title defense canceled because of eye injury

Editor’s note: This article was updated with the cause of Amanda Serrano’s injury.

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Amanda Serrano’s title defense against Nina Meinke on Saturday in her home country of Puerto Rico was canceled at the last moment because the champion suffered a bizarre eye injury.

Co-promoter Nakisa Bidarian said the injury — a damaged cornea — stems from a hair-dying appointment earlier in the week. The dye evidently dripped into her eye during a run on Friday, causing the damage.

The Puerto Rican Boxing Commission reportedly declared her “medically unfit” and wouldn’t allow her to fight.

A tearful Serrano, who cherished the opportunity to fight in front of her fans,  was clearly devastated as she and Meinke stood in the ring in San Juan for the stunning announcement.

She said she was willing to do battle in spite of the injury but doctors nixed the fight after she failed an eye exam.

“I’m so sorry. I came to fight, I came to put on a show for you guys,” she said as some in the crowd booed. “One thing I will tell you, I will be back. This is where I will retire. … I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart.”

She said she could barely see out of her eye.

“I was willing to go out there and still give the fans a show but they just wouldn’t allow me to,” she said.

Paul, who knocked out opponent Ryan Bourland in the first round moments earlier, said the fight will be rescheduled.

“She’s going to push through this, heal the eye,” said Paul, who had his arm around Serrano to comfort her. “And we’re going to come back as soon as we can and re-run it. Nina wants that, Amanda wants that.

“… We did everything we could to keep the fight on but it wasn’t being approved by the commissions.”

Serrano (46-2-1, 30 KOs) would have fought in her native country for the first time since 2021. Meinke (18-3, 4 KOs) was hoping to win her first world title.