Female Fight News for the week of March 14, Japan’s All Female Card
It’s almost like a dream for those following female boxing.
Claressa “T-Rex” Shields won the NABF middleweight title with a one-sided beating of Hungary’s battle tough, but over-matched Szilvia Szabados. More importantly, it was the first time a female fight was the main event on a premium television card.
That glass shattering is the sound of a barrier that had long kept females out of the spotlight in the United States. Two months earlier Brooklyn’s Amanda Serrano was the first in nine years to crack that ceiling with her win over Yazmin Rivas.
Those two female prizefighters were carefully picked to lead the charge of women through the previously locked doors that had kept the likes of Laila Ali, Ann Wolfe, Chevelle Hallback, Elena Reid, Lucia Rijker, and Carina Moreno from being seen by television audiences. All are retired now.
But there’s a new wave of female prizefighters and they have been polished through amateur programs throughout the country.
Showtime network said they will also be scheduling an all-female televised card later this year. Among those mentioned were Heather “The Heat” Hardy, the “Amazing” Layla McCarter, Cecilia Braekhus, Ireland’s Katie Taylor and of course Amanda and her sister Cindy Serrano.
Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza said publicly that plans to include female fighters in the West Coast are currently underway.
All Female Card in Japan
This week, in Japan, the movement continues with several important boxing cards including the mighty Naoko Fujioka who fought and defeated Mexico’s very tough Isabel Millan to win the vacant flyweight world title in Tokyo. At press time, an all-female fight card was taking place in Tokyo that includes a battle for the OPBF super bantamweight title between Ayumi Goto (5-0) and Kim Actub (4-6-1) for the vacant OPBF super bantamweight title. At least seven other female bouts were scheduled.
Worldwide world title fights were taking place in Argentina where Victoria Bustos defends the IBF lightweight title against Kimberly Connor in Santa Fe. In Canada, Sandy Tsagouris battles Carla Torres in a super featherweight clash.
The dream is becoming real for fans of female prizefighting.
Female Fight News
Argentina
Betiana Vinas (11-7-3) defeated Gloria Yancaqueo (3-8-2) by decision on Saturday March 11. The six round super featherweight clash took place in Chichinales, Argentina.
On Friday March 17, featherweights Cintia Castillo (4-0) and Marta Juncos (5-25-4) meet in a six round featherweight contest in Cordoba. Also, Ruth Pastermosti (0-0) meets Maria Sanchez (0-1) in a four round flyweight bout.
On Saturday March 18, lightweights Victoria Bustos (16-4) and Kimberly Connor (12-2-2) meet in a 10 round match. The IBF world title contest takes place in Vera, Santa Fe. Also, Evelyn Bermudez (2-0) and Victoria Moreyra (0-0) fight in a four round super flyweight bout.
On Saturday March 18, flyweights Debora Gomez (2-1) and Maria Cano (0-1) meet in a four round fight in Cordoba.
Australia
On Saturday March 18, bantamweights Sylvia Scharper (6-1-1) and Kori Farr (2-3-1) meet in a 10 round fight. The WIBA title fight takes place in Melbourne. Also, Chemeka Johnson (4-0) faces Carol Earl (2-1-1) in a six round bantamweight fight in three-minute rounds.
Canada
On Saturday March 18, super featherweights Sandy Tsagouris (15-2) and Carla Torres (5-4) meet in a 10 round bout. The WIBA title fight takes place in Brampton, Ontario.
Czech Republic
Fabiana Bytyqi (10-0) was victorious over Evgeniya Zablotskaya (8-14) by unanimous decision on Saturday March 11. The 10 round minimum weight fight took place in Prague. Also, Lucie Sedlackova (9-0-1) won by unanimous decision over Doris Koehler (12-16-2) after 10 rounds in their featherweight fight.
Denmark
On Saturday March 18, super bantamweights Dina Thorslund (8-0) and Gabriella Mezei (8-7-2) meet in a 10 round bout in Aarhus, Denmark. They are fighting for the vacant EBU title.
Estonia
Elena Gradinar (5-0) beat Jasmina Nad (6-16-3) by unanimous decision on Saturday March 11. The featherweight fight took place in Narva, Estonia.
Finland
On Friday March 17, flyweights Lotta Loikkanen (0-0) and Gyongi Acs (2-1) meet in a four round bout in Joensuu, Finland.
France
Segolene Lefebvre (7-0) knocked out Simone Da Silva Duarte (15-11) in the ninth round to win the vacant WBF super bantamweight title on Friday March 10. The title match took place in Nord, France where 23-year-old Lefebvre lives. Da Silva Duarte, 33, fights out of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Germany
Nikki Adler (16-0) defeated Mery Rancier (7-8-3) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday March 11. Adler, 29, retains the WIBF and GBU super middleweight titles. The WBC title was not at stake.
On Saturday March 18, featherweights Sandra Atanassow (5-0) and Gabriella Busa (4-7) meet in a 10 round bout in Leipzig, Germany.
Hungary
Alexandra Lakatos (1-0) won her pro debut by decision over Tia Sandorfi (3-3) on Sunday March 12. The bantamweight fight took place in Kistarcsa. Also, Ema Kozin (5-0) beat Dalia Vasarhelyi (10-15) by technical knockout in the first round of their welterweight clash.
Japan
Naoko Fujioka (16-2) stopped Mexico’s Isabel Millan (18-3-1) in the 10th round by technical knockout on Monday March 13 in Tokyo. Fujioka wins the vacant WBA flyweight title. Fujioka, 41, is considered Japan’s greatest female fighter of all time. Also, in another female bout, Jun Yabuki (7-0) defeated Shione Ogata (7-6) by decision after an eight round light flyweight bout.
Minayo Kei (5-2) beat Sana Hazuki (5-2) by decision after six rounds on Sunday March 12. The minimum weight fight took place in Kobe, Japan.
On Wednesday, March 15, in Tokyo, an all-female fight card takes place. Ayumi Goto (5-0) fights Kim Actub (4-6-1) for the vacant OPBF super bantamweight title. Saemi Hanagata (12-6-3) fights Yokkao Saenchaigym (0-1) in a minimum weight eight-round bout; Erika Hanawa (6-0) faces Norj Guro (7-6-1) in an eight round minim weight bout; Yuki Koseki (4-3) faces Miyo Yoshida (5-1) in a six round super flyweight contest; Saki Akimaru (0-1-1) fights Natsuki Tarui (1-4-1) in a four round minimum weight bout; Yumiko Shimooka (3-2) meets Nanae Suzuki (2-2) in a four round light flyweight battle.
On Sunday March 19, super bantamweights Miki Mitsuda (1-3) and Wakako Fujiwara (2-2-1) meet in a four round battle in Kanzaki-gun, Hyogo. Also, Yui Narita (1-1) and Sarasa Ichimura (2-3-1) meet in a four round minimum weight bout.
Mexico
Kenia Enriquez (18-1) won by unanimous decision over Guadalupe Martinez (4-7) after eight rounds on Friday March 10. The light flyweight bout in Tijuana, Mexico was changed to a super flyweight bout because Martinez arrived eight pounds overweight. Enriquez, 23, took the fight anyway and handily beat Martinez despite the eight pound advantage. Also, Brenda Flores (11-3-1) defeated Jessica Rangel (0-4) by unanimous decision after six rounds.
New Zealand
Alrie Meleisa (3-0) won by split decision over Nailini Helu (2-2-1) after six rounds on Friday March 10. The heavyweight bout took place in Auckland. Also, Sarah Long (2-2) defeated Geovana Peres (0-1) by unanimous decision after a four round heavyweight fight.
Philippines
On Friday March 17, featherweights Gretel De Paz (1-0) and Kimberly Labajo (0-1) meet in a four round bout in Pasay City, Philippines.
Poland
On Friday March 17, bantamweights Paulina Raszewska (0-0) and Bojana Libiszewska (5-19) meet in a four round fight in Zyrardow, Poland.
Serbia
Jasmina Merdic (1-2) won by knockout of Sanja Ristic (0-2) in the sixth round of their super middleweight fight on Friday March 10. The fight match was held in Krusevac. Also, Aleksandra Vujovic (2-0) beat Ksenija Medic (0-3) by decision after a four round super lightweight bout.
Spain
Inna Sagaydakovskaya (5-0) won by disqualification over Najat Hasnouni (3-1-2) in the ninth round of a 10-round bout on Saturday March 11. The super welterweight battle took place in Bilbao, Spain. Sagaydakovskaya, 32, fights out of Russia.
Joana Pastrana (8-1) was the victor over Judit Hachbold (1-1) by unanimous decision on Saturday March 11. The six round minimum weight battle took place in Madrid, Spain.
Sweden
On Saturday March 18, super lightweights Patricia Berghult (5-0) and Karina Kopinska (8-15-3) meet in a six round fight in Malmo, Sweden.
USA
Marina Ramirez (3-1) was the victor over Judit Pereira (1-1) by majority decision after four rounds on Saturday March 11. The light flyweight bout took place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Claressa Shields (2-0) won by knockout over Szilvia Szabados (15-9) in the fourth round on Friday March 10. Shields, 21, won the NABF middleweight title with the win. It was the first time a female was televised as the main event on a premium network.
Brittany Cruz (11-8-2) defeated Alma Garcia (2-5) by split decision on Friday March 10. The four round super bantamweight fight took place in Denver, Colorado.
Venezuela
Ambar Fajardo (9-3) won by majority decision over Georgina Acosta (0-2) after four rounds on Saturday March 11. The featherweight fight took place in Turmero, Venezuela.