Female Fight News for week of March 28, 2017 and Mariana Juarez
In the heart of Mexico City two world title fights take place at the Zocalo. First, the very popular Mariana “La Barbie” Juarez challenges WBC bantamweight titlist Catherine Phiri of Zambia. Plus, WBC heavyweight titlist Alejandra Jimenez defends against American Carlette Ewell.
Juarez, 37, has long been the queen of Mexico and looks to knock off another world champion. The model-looking fighter is more than just a beautiful face; she’s one of the best females in the sport. Challenges are what she loves.
“After twenty years sometimes I think I would like to leave boxing but I keep challenging myself with new things. I want to keep growing. I am going after my third title in as many divisions,” Juarez said while on the Two-Minute Round podcast. “I’ve been a world champion at flyweight and super flyweight and now I am looking for a world title at bantamweight.”
Last weekend Juarez’s younger sister Lourdes “La Pequena Lulu” Juarez traveled to the northern border city of Juarez, Mexico and defeated Karina Fernandez in a flyweight battle. The two sisters from Mexico City are still ringing the bell for Mexican prizefighters.
Mariana Juarez admires American Claressa Shields who challenges herself and self-promotes with as much energy as she fights. Marketing is a necessity says Juarez.
“She (Shields) is doing all the right things and her handlers are taking her in the right direction, putting her on different shows, to have people take notice and show people that women can also do it. A two-time Olympic champion in the United States deserves support and sponsors need to show their support,” added Juarez.
Ironically, this past weekend two other former Olympians fought last week with both winning.
Former 2012 Olympic gold medalist Katie Taylor (4-0) blazed through another foe in Milena Koleva (9-8-1) by unanimous decision including a knockdown. The eight round lightweight fight took place in Manchester, England and showed despite facing another veteran, Taylor has more than enough talent to shut down anyone.
A day earlier, in Indio, California, American 2012 Olympian Marlen Esparza, a former bronze medalist, faced winless Rachel Sazoff in a one-sided affair that did not resemble any kind of test. Hopefully, instead of looking for an easy win or knockout, the Houston native will step up the competition next time.
Esparza recently signed with Golden Boy Promotions. She was the first female sought after and signed for a long term deal by the Los Angeles-based company since Rhonda Luna fought for Golden Boy Promotions in 2003 and 2004.
In Europe, WBC and WBO middleweight champion Christina Hammer faces Sweden’s Maria Lindberg in a rematch. Both fought six years ago with Hammer winning. Supposedly, the winner will fight two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields in a televised championship event in the summer.
Female Fight News
Argentina
Leonela Yudica (12-0-3) retained the IBF flyweight world title by unanimous decision against Carolina Alvarez (13-8-4) after 10 rounds on Friday March 24. The match was held in San Juan, Argentina. Yudica, 28, fights out of Chimba, San Juan. This was Yudica’s fourth defense of the title since winning it in December 2014. Alvarez, 39, fights out of Venezuela.
Cristina Pacheco (10-9-2) beat Soledad Frias (10-9-4) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Friday March 24. The super bantamweight fight took place in Cordoba, Argentina.
Karen Carabajal (13-0) defeated Silvia Zacarias (8-21-5) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Friday March 24. The lightweight fight was held in Avellaneda, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Jennifer Rasjido (4-0-1) beat Valeria Almiron (2-12) by decision after four rounds on Friday March 24. The super bantamweight fight took place in Pozo del Molle, Argentina.
Jazmin Villarino (1-1) beat Adriana Maldonado (1-6-1) by majority decision after four rounds on Friday March 24. The super flyweight bout was held in Buenos Aires.
Bulgaria
Teodora Hristova (2-4) beat Marina Sivenova (0-1) by unanimous decision on Saturday March 25. The four round bantamweight fight took place in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Canada
On Thursday March 30, in Montreal, welterweights Jessica Camara (0-0) and Heidy Martinez (2-1) meet in a four round bout.
China
Ya Hong Yu (4-0) defeated Ke Liu (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday March 25. The super bantamweight fight took place in Shanghai, China.
Colombia
On Friday March 31, in Puerto Colombia, super lightweights Enis Pacheco (16-4-2) and Celia Sierra (6-3) clash in a 10-round fight. Pacheco, 28, is a former WBO lightweight champion from Colombia. Sierra, 36, also fights out of Colombia.
Costa Rica
On Friday March 31 in San Jose, mini-flyweights Yokasta Valle (12-0) and Yaditza Perez (9-11-1) meet in a fight set for 10 rounds. Valle, 24, fights out of San Jose, Costa Rica. Perez, 31, fights out of Panama.
France
On Saturday April 1, in Issoudun, Indre, super featherweights Angelique Duchemin (12-0) and Taoussy L’Hadji (5-5) meet in a 10 round clash for the EBU title. This is a rematch between the two fighters. Last year Duchemin, 25, defeated L’Hadji by decision.
Germany
On Saturday April 1, in Dortmund, WBC and WBO middleweight titlist Christina Hammer (20-0) defends against Maria Lindberg (15-1-2) in a fight set for 10 rounds. Hammer, 26, fights out of Germany. This is a rematch between the two. Their first fight took place in May 2011 with Hammer winning by decision in a 10 round fight. It’s the only loss for Sweden’s Lindberg who is 39 years old.
On Saturday April 1, in Luebeck, super featherweights Joanna Koelln (5-0) and Carina Foelsch (0-0) meet in four three-minute rounds.
On Sunday April 2, in Hamburg, featherweights Beke Bas (7-0) and Petra Castkova (1-3) meet in a six round contest.
Haiti
On Friday March 31, in Petionville, featherweights Melissa St. Vil (9-2-3) and Jessica Gonzalez (7-3-1) clash in a 10 round battle. St. Vil, 33, is a native of Haiti and now fights out of Brooklyn, New York. She defends the WBC Silver title against Gonzalez, 29, who fights out of Mexico City. (For more read the story by JP Yim on www.thePrizefighters.com )
Hungary
Alexandra Lakatos (2-0) defeated Agnes Draxler (9-15) by decision after six rounds on Sunday March 26. The bantamweight fight took place in Kistarcsa, Hungary.
Italy
Alessia D’Addario (1-0-1) and Silvia Bortot (1-0-1) fought to a draw after six rounds on Saturday March 25. The welterweight fight was held in Ferrara, Italy.
Japan
On Sunday April 2, in Nakagami, Okinawa, flyweights Yumemi Ikemoto (2-0) and Petchprajeen Saithonggym (0-1) meet in a four round affair.
Mexico
Lourdes “La Pequena Lulu” Juarez (19-2) vanquished Karina Fernandez (9-2-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday March 25. Juarez, 30, who fights out of Mexico City and is the sister of Mariana Juarez, traveled to Juarez, Mexico to face the 26-year-old hometown fighter Fernandez in a flyweight clash. She won by wide margins on all three cards.
Yareli Larios (11-0) was victorious by unanimous decision after eight rounds versus Alondra Gonzalez (4-1) on Saturday March 25. The featherweight match was held in Guadalajara, Mexico. Also, Alma De La Cruz (4-9) defeated Oly Alvarez (0-1) by decision after 10 rounds in a super bantamweight fight.
Ana “Hurricane” Julaton (15-4-2) defeated Maria Jose Nunez (17-13) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday March 25. The featherweight bout took place in Campeche, Mexico. Julaton fights out of Las Vegas, Nevada USA. Also, Angele Farfan (1-0) won by decision over Katerine Camacho (0-1) after four rounds in a minimum weight fight.
On Saturday April 1, In Mexico City, four female bouts take place. WBC bantamweight titlist Catherine Phiri (12-1) defends against Mariana Juarez (44-9-4) in a 10 round bout. Also, WBC heavyweight titlist Alejandra Jimenez (6-0) defends against Carlette Ewell (16-8-1) in a 10 round bout. Other bouts: super flyweights Jazmin Gonzalez (8-2) vs. Sonia Osorio (8-3-1) and super flyweights Angelica Monserrat (2-3) vs. Lizeth Zacarias (4-2). All take place in the Zocalo.
Panama
On Saturday April 1 in Panama City, flyweights Laura Ledezma (8-0) and Kairuan Montenegro (2-6) meet in a six round contest.
Slovakia
Alexandra Vlajk (11-5) defeated Nora Kiss (0-4) by decision after six rounds on Sunday March 26. The bantamweight fight was held in Sturovo, Slovakia. Also, Beata Bodo (1-0) won her pro debut by knockout of Dora Kerekes (2-9) in the first round of their featherweight clash.
South Africa
On Friday March 31 in Cape Town, bantamweights Bukiwe Nonina (10-3-1) and Alesia Graf (29-5) meet in a 10 round fight for the vacant WBF title.
South Korea
Hyun Hee Kil (3-1) beat Bang-Un Kim (0-3) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Saturday March 25. The super flyweight battle took place in Gyeongju, South Korea.
Switzerland
Viviane Obenauf (10-2) won by technical knockout of Maja Milenkovic (5-9) in the eighth round on Saturday March 25. The lightweight title match for the WBF International belt took place in Interlaken, Switzerland. Obenauf had previously fought and lost to Ireland’s Katie Taylor.
On Saturday April 1, in Geneva, welterweights Ornella Domini (9-0) and Lela Terashvili (8-6-1) meet in a six round match.
Thailand
Wassana Kamdee (2-2) won by technical knockout of Paveethida Moonpahat (0-1) in the second round on Sunday March 26. The flyweight fight took place in Bangkok. Also, Sornsawan Khunmam (2-3) beat Panida Chatluang (0-2) by decision after six rounds in a minimum weight fight.
United Kingdom
Katie Taylor (4-0) ran over Milena Koleva (9-8-1) to win by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Saturday March 25. The lightweight match took place in Manchester, England. Taylor, 30, a former Olympic gold medalist, will be heading toward the U.S. later this year according to previous reports.
On Friday March 31, in Aberdeen, Scotland, super featherweights Kristen Fraser (0-0) and Lana Cooper (0-8) meet in a six round contest. Fraser is a former Scottish amateur champion.
USA
Alycia Baumgardner (2-0) won by knockout of Wendy Toney (0-2) in the first round on Sunday March 26. The super lightweight clash took place in Dearborn, Michigan.
Franchon Crews (1-1) knocked out Latashia Burton (4-9) in the first round of their match on Saturday March 25. The super middleweight clash took place in Washington D.C. It was Crews first fight since losing by decision to Claressa Shields. Also, Tiara Brown (2-0) beat Natalie King (0-7) by decision after four rounds in a super featherweight fight.
Wamnee Ereaux (1-0-1) defeated Shawna Anderson (0-1) by split decision after four rounds on Saturday March 25. The super featherweight bout took place in Billings, Montana.
Faith Morones (1-0) win her pro debut by decision over debuting Rosalinda Escobar (0-1) after four rounds on Saturday March 25. The super bantamweight fight took place in San Antonio, Texas.
Marlen Esparza (1-0) defeated Rachel Sazoff (0-3) by unanimous decision after four rounds on Thursday March 23. The flyweight bout was held in Indio, California. Esparza, 27, is a former 2012 Olympic bronze medalist.
On Saturday April 1, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, heavyweights Sonja Fox (5-0) and Laura Ramsey (10-6) meet in a six round clash.