While the much-anticipated bout between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano failed to deliver fireworks in the ring, a different kind of buzz took over social media — and it had nothing to do with punches.
The event, dubbed “Fort History,” held at the AT&T Stadium, was meant to be a monumental moment in women’s boxing. However, the third installment of the Taylor vs. Serrano rivalry ended up being a cautious, tactical contest. With fewer punches thrown and minimal high-risk engagement, many fans in the arena were left disappointed, leading to a chorus of boos during the second half of the fight. One boxing analyst summed it up bluntly:
“The third fight between combative rivals Taylor and Serrano was a dud in comparison to its predecessors, instead turning into a tedious tactical battle… played right into the hands of Taylor.”
Despite the underwhelming action in the ring, viewers quickly shifted their attention elsewhere — the ring girls. Specifically, one ring girl dominated social media conversations during the event.
The viral ring girl everyone’s talking about
Identified shortly after the match, the woman capturing all the attention was Marissa Ayers. An Atlanta native and a University of Alabama alum, Ayers lit up the arena and the internet with her on-camera appearances throughout the night.
Leading into the event, Ayers had already hinted at her involvement, posting a video on social media with the following caption:
"Catch me in the ring & on your screen"
Ayers isn’t new to the spotlight. With nearly 400,000 Instagram followers, she’s steadily built a digital presence alongside fellow ring girl Sydney Thomas. Thanks to her poise, charisma, and viral appearance during the Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano card, Marissa Ayers is expected to return for more major events in the coming months.
As social media continues to amplify viral moments beyond the ring, Ayers’ presence during this fight might just be the most memorable part of the night. Whether it’s through consistent Instagram content or viral TikToks, she’s becoming a familiar — and beloved — figure among fans.