Another Heavy Hitting Show by MVP in Florida; Tiara Brown, Hannah Rapp, Jasmine Artiga, Oshae Jones and More
By David A. Avila
It’s time for those Florida female fighters to perform.
Fresh off a very successful fight card in El Paso, MVPW 4 moves to Orlando, Florida where WBC featherweight titlist Tiara Brown (20-0, 11 KOs) defends against Hannah Rapp (8-0-1, 5 KOs) on the main event on Saturday June 13, at Caribe Royale Orlando.
ESPN will televise the Most Valuable Promotions card.
After years of Brown chasing for the world title, suddenly she is the one being chased. Texas fighter Rapp seeks to be the one to dethrone the champion.
Originally from Indiana, “Hanarchy” Rapp was a track athlete at Purdue University who found herself seeking another outlet for sports competition. Boxing lured her in and despite limited amateur experience is competing for the world title against Brown.
“Covid happened and I was left with nothing. I found boxing. I loved it immediately,” said Rapp. “I could foresee myself being a world champion.”
Brown has something to say about that.
“It’s my first time fighting as a professional near home. Hannah is very strong and she’s young,” said Brown on social media. “I think it’s just a wrap for Hannah Rapp.”
Rapp, 26, has size, strength and youth. The Texas-based fighter has a pressure fighting style and has faced decent competition and welcomes fighting the best.
“Boxing has some harsh realities,” said Rapp about the unforgiving sport.
Brown, 38, is confident but not overconfident.
“I’m looking to take over the division. But I don’t like to look past an opponent. I don’t underestimate anyone. So, the only person on my mind is Hannah Rapp,” said Brown who trains in Fort Myer, Florida.
Another Florida based champion set to perform is WBA super fly titlist Jasmine Artiga (15-0-1, 7 KOs) who meets Panama’s Nataly Delgado (20-7-2, 5 KOs). This is the third title defense for Artiga who lives and trains in Tampa, Florida.
Two other world title fights feature Argentina’s very tough Evelin Bermudez (22-1-1, 8 KOs) against Mexico’s Estefany Alegria (14-1, 4 KOs) for the WBO and IBF light fly titles. Welterweights Oshae Jones (9-0, 3 KOs) and Elia Carranza (11-2, 3 KOs) face each other in a rematch for the IBF title. Their previous encounter took place a year ago and ended in a split-decision win for Jones.
One fighter to especially watch is super fly LeAnna Cruz (11-0) a super talented pugilist facing Mexico’s Rubi Gutierrez (8-3-1). Cruz recently defeated talented Regina Chavez and in this writer’s opinion is the best super flyweight without a world title. Expect Cruz to be fighting for a world title soon.
One fighter making a debut is Brazil’s Jully De Oliviera who was previously fighting in the Misfits Boxing circuit. She is well known in Brazil and did well in the celebrity driven boxing promotions. At times she looks too muscular which raises questions.
Naoko in Hall of Fame
The International Boxing Hall of Fame ceremonies take place this week in Canastota, New York. Japan’s Naoko Fujioka is among those being inducted. She is the first Asian female fighter to be honored.
Fujioka was a five-division world champion who trained with Southern California’s Ben Lira. She won world titles in the minimumweight, light flyweight, flyweight, super flyweight and bantamweight divisions. Among those she clashed with were Tsunami Tenkai, Mariana Juarez, Marlen Esparza and Sulem Urbina.
Congratulations Naoko.
Matchroom in Arizona
Turkey’s hard-charging Elif Nur Turhan (13-0, 8 KOs) defends the IBF lightweight title against Gabriela Tellez (7-0, 3 KOs) on Saturday June 13, at Desert Diamond Arena, in Glendale Arizona. The Matchroom Boxing card will be streamed by DAZN.
This is Turhan’s second title defense. Her foe Tellez is the younger sister of talented Reina Tellez who fought Amanda Serrano this past January in Puerto Rico.
Save the Children Show
Super welter Maricela Cornejo (19-8) faces Natasha Spence (10-8-2) in a bout set for 10 rounds on Friday June 12, at Yakama Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington. The event called “RJJ Saving the Kids” is promoted by Roy Jones Jr. Promotions and will be streamed live on 1EZLife.com for a cost of $35.
The money goes toward a global charity to rescue abducted children and dismantle trafficking networks.
Cornejo and Spence are fighting in a rematch.
“This rematch is a great rematch because it was a great fight the first time,” said Roy Jones Jr. “Maricela just had her baby prior to the first one, so she’s excited to show herself at 100 percent. In the meantime, Natasha fought for and won another title. It’s a reunion of two great fighters and I can’t wait to see it.”
Several other bouts are scheduled. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Mikaela vs Chantelle in England
Multi-division champion Mikaela Mayer (22-2, 5 KOs) and England’s Chantelle Cameron (22-1, 8 KOs) will meet each other for WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF super welter titles on August 29, at Birmingham, England, announced Most Valuable Promotions on Wednesday June 10.
“Chantelle Cameron has always been a name I’ve hoped to add to my resume and a fight I feel the sport of boxing deserves,” said Mikaela Mayer. “With our come forward, aggressive styles, I have no doubt that it will be one of the most exciting fights of our generation. Giving the fans the fights they wanna see is what I do best…so here you go. Again.”
Also, WBC, and WBO lightweight titlist Caroline DuBois (13-0, 4 KOs) will fight Amelia Moore (4-0) in the co-main event.
More Fight News
Argentina
Daniela Escasena (3-0) defeated Maria Nieva (2-8) by decision after six rounds on Saturday June 6. The super feather fight took place in San Miguel de Tucaman.
Maria Sol Baumstarh (15-7-1) defeated Yadira Bustillos (11-3) by split decision after 10 rounds on Friday June 5. The interim IBF minimumweight title fight was held in Buenos Aires. Also, Gabriela Alaniz (20-2) beat Lizeth Romero (6-2-1) after 10.
Australia
Deanha Hobbs (13-3-1) knocked out Manjot Rattu (8-5) in the first round on Saturday June 6. The super feather fight was held in Hamilton.
On Sunday June 14, super bantams Leah Reuben (5-2-1) and Ali Jensen (2-10) meet eight rounds for Australian title at Fortitude Valley. Also, super flies Kanokwan Wirunpat (8-5) and Jemma Peart (8-1) meet eight.
Austria
Michaela Kotaskova (12-1-2) beat Ester Konecna (7-37-3) by decision after six rounds on Friday June 5. The welterweight fight was held in Vienna.
Canada
Annie Mazerolle (9-3-1) beat Maria Hernandez (6-6-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday June 6. The light heavyweight match was held in Richibucto.
On Thursday June 11, super feathers Leila Beaudoin (14-2) and Paulina Angel (7-2-2) meet 10 rounds at Quebec, City.
On Saturday June 13, flyweights Alexis Kubicki (14-3) and Maria Santizo (14-7) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Saskatchewan.
China
On Sunday June 14, super bantams Ziqi Sheng (1-0) and Saowaluk Nareepangsri (19-24) meet six rounds at Shanghai. Also, feathers Jingjing Hong (2-0) and Ming SD Wang (0-0) meet four.
Colombia
On Sunday June 14, super bantams Sasthy Ramirez (4-8) and Jhuskarly Becerra (3-0) meet eight rounds at Melgar.
Costa Rica
On Saturday June 13, atomweights Gipsy Diaz (11-0) and Mayelis Altamar (17-6-2) meet 10 rounds for a regio9nal title at Heredia.
Czech Republic
Johana Rajmont (7-9-1) won by unanimous decision after six rounds versus Alessandra Stamidu (0-1) on Saturday June 6. The welter fight took place in Prague.
On Friday June 12, super bantams Katerina Cavajvoa (5-0) and Lena Venjacob (7-2) meet eight rounds at Plzen.
France
Anna Boulez (2-0) beat Hadria Bader (1-3-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday June 6. The flyweight match was held in Portet sur Garonne.
Margaux Revois (3-0) beat Dajana Rakovic (2-10) after six rounds on Saturday June 6. The lightweight fight took place in Saint Malo.
Maloway Caniers (2-2) defeated Agathe Cailleau (1-1) by majority decision after six rounds on Saturday June 6. The super fly match was held in Angers.
Sarah Kaddour (2-1-1) bested Fanny Croset (0-1) after six rounds on Saturday June 6. The super bantam fight took place in Paris.
On Saturday June 13, welters Fanny Galle (4-0) and Ksenija Medic (4-29-3) meet five rounds at Neuilly en Thelle.
Germany
On Saturday June 13, super feathers Lara Ochmann (16-2) and Amanda Chan (12-0) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Fiensburg.
Italy
Biancamaria Tessari (5-0) defeated Jelena Janicijevic (6-3-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday June 6. The lightweight title fight took place in Bologna.
New Zealand
On Saturday June 13, welters Lydia Stewart-McDonald (0-0) and Ericka Stark (1-0) meet four rounds at Motueka.
Spain
Helene Connart (5-1-1) and Clara Lopez (3-2-1) fought to a split draw after 10 rounds on Saturday June 6. The EBU super light title fight took place in Villarreal.
United Kingdom
On Saturday June. 13, super feathers Jade Burden (4-0) and Katie Smith (4-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Bolton.
On Saturday June 13, bantams Frances Heath (2-0-1) and Kira Carter (0-31-1) meet six rounds at Glasgow, Scotland.
On Saturday June 13, welters Omarah Taylor (5-0) and Kerry Haley (5-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Wolverhampton.
Uruguay
On Saturday June 13, featherweights Yennifer Nunez (2-1) and Julieta Boloque (2-1) meet six rounds at Montevideo. Also, super welters Ailen Cabrera (0-0) and Rocio Bastida (4-1) meet four rounds.
USA
Celene Roman (7-4-2) and Chiara Dituri (13-2-1) fought to a technical draw after five rounds on Tuesday June 2. The featherweight fight took place in Nashville, Tenn. A clash of heads opened a cut on Roman and the match was stopped. Also, super welter Susana Bolanos (3-1) beat Samantha Marinelli (2-1) after six.
On Friday June 12, super lightweights Katrina Scalzo (0-0-1) and Michelle Cook (3-6-3) meet four rounds at Verona, N.Y.
On Friday June 12, super welters Maricela Cornejo (19-8) and Natasha Spence (10-8-2) meet 10 rounds at Toppenish, Wash.
On Saturday June 13, featherweights Lauren Michaels (2-7) and Colleen Davis (4-4-1) meet six rounds at Johnstown, Pa.
On Saturday June 13, lightweights Elif Nur Turhan (13-0) and Gabriela Tellez (7-0) meet 10 rounds for the IBF world title at Glendale, Arizona.
On Saturday June 13, featherweights Tiara Brown (20-0) and Hannah Rapp (8-0-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBC world title at Orlando, Florida, Also, light flies Evelin Bermudez (22-1-1) and Estefany Osorio meet 10 rounds for the IBF and WBO world titles; super flies Jazmin Artiga (15-0-1) and Nataly Delgado (20-7-2) meet 10 for the WBA title; super welters Oshae Jones (9-0) and Elia Carranza (11-2) meet 10 rounds for the IBF title; super flies LeAnna Cruz (11-0) and Rubi Gutierrez (8-3-1) meet eight rounds; bantams Brittany Sims (9-3) and Naomy Cardenas (10-1) meet eight; light flies Ashley Felix (7-3) and Sa’Rai Brown-El (0-0) meet four; and super lights Jully De Oliveria (0-0) and Monica Medina (0-0) meet four.
