(DEC 9)  The year 2017 for Women's boxing kicks off on January 14, in what appears to be shaping up as one of the more exciting years for the sport in quite some time, with a WBO Junior Featherweight title bout that has Amanda Serrano, 30-1-1 defending her WBO Crown against the talented veteran Mexican boxer Yazmin Rivas 35-9-1.

Serrano is returning to her adopted hometown and the Barclay Center in Brooklyn for the ten round feature attraction underneath the Badou Jack/James DeGale main event, jointly promoted by Mayweather Promotions and DiBella Entertainment.

In addition to the prestigious WBO belt, the fighters will be competing for the WBAN belt, a title unique to Women's boxing, originated in 2004, which has as it's stated goal, recognition of special individual bouts matching the elite boxers in a given weight class, the "best of the best", in the sport. Past holders of the WBAN belt include Holly Holm, Chevelle Hallback, Myriam Lamare and Anne Sophie Mathis.

The WBAN Selection Board enthusiastically endorsed the Serrano/Rivas bout as deserving of this acknowledgement. WBAN is, likewise, extremely grateful to the WBO for their generosity in allowing the WBAN belt to be part of this event. Eddie Montalvo, Executive Director of the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame will represent WBAN in presenting the belt to the winner.

The card will be televised as a premier attraction on Showtime and the under card, including Serrano/Rivas bout, will be shown on Showtime Extreme beginning at 7PM on Saturday, January 14.
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