Jessica Nery Plata vs Alondra Garcia in WBA Title Battle

Jessica Nery Plata vs Alondra Garcia in Guadalajara

 

By Felipe Leon

 

This Saturday night while Lourdes “Pequeña Lulu” Juarez, younger sister of the legendary Mariana “Barbie” Juarez, looks to give Venezuela’s Leiryn Flores her first loss and get a step closer to a world title on Televisa, on competing network Azteca a world title will also be up for grabs.  The interim WBA light flyweight champion Jessica Nery Plata (23-2, 3KO) will be putting her strap on the line against former world champion Alondra “Magnifica” Garcia (20-3-1, 1KO).

 

The fight will take place near Garcia’s hometown of Guadalajara in Tamazula, Mexico, and it is presented by Zanfer.

 

The 24-year-old Nery Plata of Mexico City captured the title with a split decision over Silvia Torres in April of last year.  Despite defeating Nancy Franco last August in an eight rounder, this fight against Garcia will be the first defense of her world title.

 

Originally Nery Plata was scheduled to defend her title against Sandra “Perla Negra” Robles last month but the champion suffered a hand injury during training which forced her out of the fight. Robles moved on with another fight and now Nery Plata will defend against Garcia.

 

“We worked very hard for this fight,” Plata stated.  “I did track work as well as my work in the gym for this fight.  I feel strong and sure of myself.  I know what I am capable of.  I’ve studied my opponent, she has a difficult style but not unbeatable.”

 

At the final press conference before the bout Nery Plata was complimentary of the challenger for her crown.

 

“I know Alondra is great challenge,” Nery Plata said.  “I am a fighter who is not used to talking much. I am confident of the work I have done to get ready for this fight and in my skills.  I know this will be a great fight, I am sure of that.”

 

“I want to beat Garcia,” she continued.  “I want to make it clear I am ready for bigger and better things.   The only way in achieving it is by working hard and doing inside the ring what people expect of me.  I am going to shine like a champion.”

 

Fighting out of the Romanza Gym under the tutelage of the great Nacho Beristain, Nery Plata held the WBC Youth light flyweight title in 2012 with a split decision win over current WBC flyweight champion Ibeth Zamora.  Her win over Zamora was in only her fifth fight as a professional.  That followed wins over former champion Guadalupe Bautista, Kareli Lopez, Jasseth Noriega twice, Anahi Torres, Delia Lopez and the aforementioned Torres.

 

Her two losses have come to world-class opponents in the likes of Esmeralda Moreno and Kenia Enriquez.

 

Alondra

 

The one year younger Garcia is actually a bit more experienced at the world stage than her next foe.  After traveling to Japan for the first time in her tenth pro fight to challenge for the vacant IBF light flyweight title, Garcia came up short via a hotly contested unanimous decision against Naoko Shibata in late 2013.

 

She kept plugging along getting wins over the likes of Monserrat Alarcon twice and the very rough Mayela Perez among others.  Another world title opportunity came in 2014 but again Garcia lost this time against Victoria Argueta via a split decision for the vacant IBF 105-pound title.

 

In 2015 she captured the vacant WBC International flyweight title with a unanimous decision over Karla Mora and in the summer of 2016 she captured the Youth title from the same sanctioning body with her second win over Alarcon.  Later that year she got her third world title chance but again came up short for the vacant WBO bantamweight title against Sabrina Perez.

 

In a rematch with Shibata in early 2017 her dream of a world title came true in capturing the IBF light flyweight strap with a unanimous decision in her hometown.  Unfortunately she was stripped of the title for not defending it.

 

“It is a great motivation but a great responsibility as well,” Garcia said of getting another world title opportunity.  “She is a tough opponent. I prepared myself well for this fight because I don’t want to let Eddy Reynoso down for giving me the opportunity.”

 

Garcia said she wants the world title and the acclaim that comes with it.  “It represents a lot of things. I always wanted multiple titles but I also want for people to recognize me as one of the best.  I want to fight against the best and Nery Plata is one of them.”

 

As far as Nery Plata’s style, Garcia says she doesn’t know much.

 

“We know little,” she said.  “There are not many videos of her. All we know is that she is a good fighter who I respect.”

 

“This fight means a lot of things for me,” Garcia stated.  “I think I am going up in competition and the fact that it will be televised is another plus.  I have been waiting for this opportunity for two years.  I am looking to win this title so I can get more world title fights.”

 

In closing Garcia is more than aware what she has in front of her.

 

“I know this fight will not be easy,” Garcia said at the final press conference before the championship fight.  “In front of me I will have a fighter known for her pressure and experience in Jessica Nery Plata.  That does not take my dream away. I am here to give a great fight.”

 

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