Mexico Rising and Female Fight News Feb. 18, 2019

 

By David A. Avila

Mexico’s power in female prizefighting resides in the smaller weight classes from super bantamweights on down. WBC light flyweight titlist Yesenia Gomez defended her title successfully a few days ago, or did she?

Gomez (15-5-3, 6KOs) was judged the winner by majority decision over Japan’s Erika Hanawa (10-4, 4 KOs) after a 10 round title fight at Cancun, Mexico. It was a decision that had all the markings of a home decision.

In three successive world title fights Gomez has been involved in razor close decisions. First, two close encounters with former titleholder Esmeralda Moreno last year that resulted in a draw and then a win. On Saturday, she seemed to be out-punched by Japan’s always charging Hanawa.

Gomez has a basic one-two mode and she’s not very fast. But she maintains a look of a monk and never shows her emotions. She would be a topnotch poker player.

Hanawa with a slight crouch and bob and weave style moved toward Gomez throughout the 10-round fight. She was able to slip Gomez’s punches effectively throughout the light flyweight match and confuse Gomez’s basic one-two combination punching.

Neither fighter was ever hurt but Gomez, 23, repeatedly held Hanawa whenever the Japanese fighter got within holding distance. She was never warned by the referee. I have this pet peeve against fighters that continually hold. It’s a form of cheating but all referees seem to allow it though it’s illegal according to the rules. This isn’t MMA.

Hanawa, 28, found her range from the third round on with quicker combination punching especially inside. She found the recipe of success by quick combinations followed by slipping the counters and then firing more quick combinations. Gomez was unable to find solid success until the eighth round on how to remedy the Japanese fighter’s method of attack.

Though Hanawa seemed to have more success in two of the last three rounds, Gomez was deemed the winner 97-93 twice and 95-95 for a majority win. The scores seemed more appropriate if given to Hanawa.

But that’s the problem most fighters find in other countries. You can’t beat home cooking in Mexico, Japan or other countries. Neutral judging and referees is the answer.

WBC rankings

One other puzzling aspect of the light flyweight world title is that Yesenia Gomez was given the opportunity to fight Moreno last year for the belt. Although Tijuana’s Kenia Enriquez held the interim version of the WBC light flyweight title she was not given the opportunity to fight for the real version.

Enriquez is not signed with a promotion company or a manager and seems to be punished for not being aligned with a Zanfer Promotions or a powerful manager. Instead she waits for her opportunity to fight for the world title. She should have been allowed to fight either Gomez or Moreno. She still holds the WBC light flyweight interim version of the title.

BoxRec.com recently ranked Enriquez the top light flyweight in the world and rightfully so. Enriquez, 25, has 21 wins, one loss and 9 KOs on her resume and seems to have scared off the competition.

DAZN in Tijuana

Another light flyweight going into battle on Saturday will be East L.A.’s Seniesa Estrada (15-0, 5 KOs) who defends the WBC Silver title against Venezuela’s tough Yenifer Leon (9-1) in a 10 round fight in Tijuana, Mexico. The title fight will be streamed on DAZN.

Estrada is one of the top light flyweights in the world and dropping down to 105 pounds is a strong possibility too. She walks around near that weight on a daily basis. But her speed and strength, especially in recent fights, has propelled her to the top of the 108-pound division. Now she faces Leon a strong southpaw fighter with six knockouts in nine wins. Leon’s only loss occurred last August to WBA minimum weight world champion Anibel Ortiz of Mexico. It’s a very solid matchup.

Another female fight on the same Tijuana card will be Arizona’s Sulem Urbina (8-0) who is scheduled to fight Judith Rodriguez (8-13) in a six round flyweight battle. Urbina will be in her toughest fight since turning pro.

Both female fights will be shown on DAZN and take place at Auditorio Municipal in Tijuana on Saturday.

Mikaela Beats Mexico’s Larios

NABF super featherweight titlist Mikaela Mayer and Mexico’s Yareli Larios had a spirited battle last Friday in Minnesota.

Mayer, 28, met her best opponent to date against the daughter of Mexican great Oscar “Cholulo” Larios who was in her corner. It was especially interesting to hear him tell Yareli that she needed a knockout to win. Honesty is the best policy. She gave a full out effort and never backed down. Likewise, Mayer, who has that grit to stand and trade with anyone. It was a fearless performance by both female prizefighters and it’s that right stuff that makes women’s boxing special.

 

More Female Fight News

Argentina

Ana Guichapani (11-0-1) defeated Maria Capriolo (7-10-4) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Saturday Feb. 16. The super featherweight fight was held in Pico Truncado, Santa Cruz.

Estefania Alaniz (4-1-1) beat Flavia Quintero (1-3) by decision on Friday Feb. 15. The lightweight fight was held in Las Heras.

On Friday Feb. 22, super featherweights Alejandra Zamora (6-3) and Marianela Ramirez (4-3) meet in a six round fight at Chubut.

On Friday Feb. 22, super welterweights Abril Vidal (5-0) and Roxana Laborde (8-20-3) meet in a six round bout at Buenos Aires.

 

Belgium

Oshin Derieuw (11-0) was the winner by unanimous decision over Gulsum Tatar (3-1) after eight rounds on Saturday Feb. 16. The super lightweight fight took place at Roeselare.

Jill Serron (6-1) defeated Claudia Ferenczi (19-68-8) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday Feb. 16. The bantamweight clash took place at Limburg. Also, Joyce Van Ee (1-0) won her debut by first round knockout over Denisa Cicoova (1-1) in a lightweight match.

Elfi Phillips (10-5-3) defeated Aleksandra Vujovic (4-9-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Friday Feb. 15. The super lightweight title fight took place at Ghent.

 

Denmark

On Saturday Feb. 23, flyweights Alicia Holzken (2-0) and Oksana Romanova (9-24-1) meet in a six round contest at Ringkobing.

 

France

On Saturday Feb. 23, featherweights Licia Boudersa (13-1-2) and Jelena Janicijevic (1-1) meet in a six round match in Nord.

On Saturday Feb. 23, flyweights Ann Sophie Da Costa (27-3) and Evgeniya Zablotskaya (8-16) meet in a six round in Reims.

 

Germany

Sophie Alisch (1-0) won by first round knockout over Sopo Kintsurashvili (4-3-1) on Saturday Feb. 16. The featherweight contest took place at Koblenz.

 

Hungary

Martina Horgasz (5-2) won by technical decision after three rounds versus Melinda Habran (0-1) on Saturday Feb. 16. The bantamweight match was held at Eger.

 

Italy

On Saturday Feb. 23, lightweights Elena Ghezzi (0-0) and Aleksandra Rapaic (0-0) debut in a four round fight at Bergamo.

 

Japan

Kei Sugimoto (1-1) defeated Michiko Abiru (0-3) by split decision after four rounds on Monday Feb. 18. The bantamweight fight took place at Tokyo. Also, Ai Sugimoto (1-0) won by majority decision after four rounds versus Emi Unuma (0-1) in a bantamweight bout.

 

Mexico

Yesenia Gomez (15-5-3) was the winner by majority decision after 10 rounds versus Japan’s Erika Hanawa (10-4) on Saturday Feb. 16. The WBC light flyweight world title fight took place at Cancun. It was Gomez’s first title defense. Also, Alejandra Jimenez (12-0-1) defeated Irais Hernandez (2-2-3) by decision after eight rounds in a super middleweight fight. Their first fight over a year ago ended in a draw.

Yamileth Mercado (13-2) defeated Alys Sanchez (15-6-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Feb. 16. The WBC International super bantamweight title fight took place at Cuahtemoc, Chihuahua.

Alondra Nava (4-2-2) was the winner by decision after 10 rounds versus Clara Alcantara (5-3) on Saturday Feb. 16. The flyweight fight took place in Mexico City.

Sandra Robles (22-3) knocked out Arely Valente (12-5-1) in the fourth round on Saturday Feb. 16. The flyweight match took place at Chiapas.

On Saturday Feb. 23, light flyweights Seniesa Estrada (15-0)and Venezuela’s Yenifer Leon (9-1) meet in a 10 round fight for the WBC Silver title at Tijuana. DAZN will televise. Also, flyweights Sulem Urbina (8-0) and Judith Rodriguez (8-13) meet in a six round fight. DAZN should be televising the card.

On Saturday Feb. 23, bantamweights Margarita Angeles (3-4-1) and Maria Elena Villalobos (14-18-1) meet in a six round fight at Mexico City. Also, minimum weights Rosa Olvera (3-2-1) and Lucia Victoriana (0-2) meet in a six round bout.

 

Panama

Jehiny Gallardo (2-0) won by knockout in the first round over Darylibeth Gil (1-1) on Friday Feb. 15. The super flyweight match took place in Panama City.

 

Poland

Alla Sergeeva (1-0) won her pro debut by decision over Tereza Dvorakova (0-1) after four rounds on Saturday Feb. 16. The lightweight contest took place at Trzcianka.

On Sunday Feb. 24, flyweights Ewelina Pekalska (2-0) and Halima Vunjabei (7-4-1) meet in an eight round clash at Poznan.

 

Russia

On Tuesday Feb. 19, bantamweights Sofia Abraamyan (2-1) and Simangele Hadebe (5-2-2) meet in a six round contest at Moscow. Also, flyweights Anna Levina (1-0) and Tamara Melkonyan (0-0) meet in a four round bout.

 

South Korea

On Saturday Feb. 23, super bantamweights Soo Rin Kim (2-0-1) and Hee Eun Gang (0-0) meet in a four round fight at Dongducheon.

 

 Spain

Miriam Gutierrez (9-0) knocked out Kamilla Boka (3-2) in the third round on Monday Feb. 11. The lightweight clash took place in Madrid. Also, flyweights Cristina Garrobo (4-1-1) and Cristina Busuioc (0-0-1) fought to a draw after six rounds.

 

Tanzania

Feriche Mashauri (7-2) won by third round knockout over Neema Charles (0-1) on Saturday Feb. 16. The lightweight contest took place at Dar-Es-Salaam. Also, Stumai Muki (1-0) beat Sarafina Julius (2-3-1) by decision after four minimum weight rounds.

 

United Kingdom

Dani Hodges (3-1) defeated Rozmari Silynova (0-4-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Feb. 16. The super flyweight match took place at Walsall, West Midlands.

 

USA
Alex Love (2-0) defeated Leesa Daniels (1-4) by unanimous decision after four rounds on Saturday Feb. 16. The super bantamweight fight took place at Westminster, Colorado.

Mikaela Mayer (10-0) won by unanimous decision after eight rounds versus Mexico’s Yareli Larios (13-2-1) on Friday Feb. 15. The super featherweight title fight took place at Hinckley, Minnesota. It was Mayer’s second defense of the NABF title.

Elena Saveleva (5-1) was the winner by technical knockout in the first round versus Tatiana Williams (0-2) on Friday Feb. 15. The super flyweight match took place in Mulvane, Kansas.

On Saturday Feb. 23, featherweights Shelly Vincent (23-2) and Edina Kiss (15-9) meet in an eight round fight at Lincoln, Rhode Island. Also, bantamweights Marcia Agripino (3-1-1) and Amanda Pavone (6-0) meet in a six round clash.

On Saturday Feb. 23, super featherweights Alycia Baumgardner (6-1) and Rolanda Andrews (9-8-1) meet in a six round fight at Dearborn, Michigan.

On Saturday Feb. 23, super featherweights Tamar Israeli (2-0) and Karen Dulin (3-16) meet in a four round contest at Philadelphia, Penn.

On Saturday Feb. 23, middleweights Logan Holler (8-0) and Bertha Aracil (4-0-1) meet in a six round fight at Charlotte, North Carolina.