Cindy Serrano
Name: Cindy Serrano
Alias: Checkmate
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Birthplace: Puerto Rico
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 168cm
Pro Boxer: Record
‘’‘Cindy “Checkmate” Serrano’’’ is a Puerto Rican former professional boxer who fought out of Brooklyn, New York. Her professional career ran from 2003 to 2018. She held the WBO female featherweight world title and won championships in multiple weight divisions, including titles sanctioned by the Universal Boxing Federation (UBF). She is the older sister of boxer Amanda Serrano.
Early life and entry into boxing
Serrano was born in Puerto Rico and later fought out of Brooklyn, New York. She took up boxing after pregnancy, initially as a way to get in shape. Training at the Glendale Boxing Club under Jordan Maldonado, she developed an interest and aptitude for the sport.
Before turning professional, Serrano trained for approximately one year and gained amateur experience that included a victory at the 2003 Empire State Games Tournament. With limited opportunities for amateur bouts, she entered the professional ranks.
Professional career
Serrano made her professional debut on September 12, 2003, defeating Kathy Rodriguez by four-round unanimous decision in Dover, Delaware. She was unbeaten through her first 16 professional bouts.
On October 15, 2005, Serrano defeated Luisa Maria Romero to win the WIBA Fedelatina featherweight title. Later that year, she fought Rhonda Luna to a split draw in a contest for the vacant WIBA world featherweight title. She defeated Kerri Hill for the WIBA International lightweight title on August 11, 2012.
UBF championships
On November 15, 2012, Serrano defeated Angel Gladney by unanimous decision to win the vacant UBF International super featherweight title. She was the first champion crowned by the newly formed UBF.
On May 10, 2013, she defeated Grecia Nova to capture the vacant UBF female super featherweight world title. Amanda Serrano also held a UBF world championship in 2013, making the sisters UBF champions during the same period.
On May 12, 2014, Cindy defeated Diana Dominguez by ten-round unanimous decision in the Dominican Republic to win the vacant UBF female lightweight world title.
WBO world championship
On December 10, 2016, Serrano defeated Calista Silgado by majority decision in Cataño, Puerto Rico, to win the vacant WBO female featherweight world title. With Amanda also holding a major world title, the Serranos became the first sisters to hold major world boxing titles simultaneously.
Cindy made a successful defense of her WBO title on May 13, 2017, defeating Paola Torres by unanimous decision in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico.
Later career
Serrano challenged Katie Taylor for the WBA and IBF female lightweight world titles on October 20, 2018, losing by unanimous decision. It was her final professional bout. Her professional record was 27 wins, 6 losses, and 3 draws, with 10 wins by knockout.
Legacy
Serrano competed during a period when women boxers had fewer fight opportunities and less visibility. Her career included world championships in two UBF weight divisions and the WBO featherweight world title. Amanda Serrano has described watching Cindy fight as an influence on her own decision to pursue boxing.
Cindy was named as a member of the 2026 International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame induction class. The induction ceremony is scheduled for October 10, 2026, in Las Vegas.
Championships and honors
- WIBA Fedelatina featherweight title — 2005
- WIBA International lightweight title — 2012
- UBF International super featherweight title — 2012
- UBF female super featherweight world title — 2013
- UBF female lightweight world title — 2014
- WBO female featherweight world title — won in 2016; defended in 2017
- International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame — named to the 2026 induction class