Female Fight News for week of Oct. 2, 2017 Mexico and more
By David A. Avila
All eyes were on Mexico as a number of top female fighters from that country took to the boxing ring this past weekend.
Perhaps the biggest was the clash between Mexico’s two elite flyweights Jessica “Kika” Chavez and Esmeralda “La Joya” Moreno in Mexico City. It was the third meeting between the Mexico City natives with each having a win. But this time it was the finale of the WBC flyweight tournament that began last year.
Chavez, who is trained by top trainer Nacho Beristain, out-boxed and floored Moreno late in the title fight to win by a widespread and retain the title. She also gained recognition as that country’s best female fighter with the victory.
The tournament included many of the best flyweights from around the world such as Japan’s Naoko Fujioka, USA’s Melissa McMorrow, and Germany’s Raja Amasheh. It’s the inclusion of the other countries that proved exciting and instrumental in pushing female prizefighting even further than ever before.
One thing that appeared evident in the past was that the WBC organization seemed to enable its Mexican titleholders to keep the titles in Mexico. But with other countries sending their best emissaries to compete that was not the case. Instead a very good tournament took place.
Now, the winner of the tournament Chavez has openly claimed she seeks to fight in other countries and defend the title she so deservedly claimed.
A fighter can’t truly claim to be a world champion unless they fight in other countries against their best not just their own.
Chavez has that true champion’s pride and confidence. The news of her willingness to face all comers outside of her country was a great revelation.
Amanda and CIndy
Many of the champions in the fighting country of Argentina have either IBF or WBO world titles.
Recently, Puerto Rico’s great champion Amanda Serrano told the media of her interest to vie for a sixth world title in a sixth weight division. Her wish to seek the WBO super lightweight titlist versus Ana Laura Esteche was made public. Sadly, that fight won’t take place.
“She out-priced herself,” said Serrano who at press time still seeks an opponent for a Nov. 4th date at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Instead, the Brooklyn-based prizefighter has a tentative date to fight unless she decides to quit the sport entirely and pursue MMA. Reportedly the elite boxer has an offer to sign with different MMA organizations. She is co-managed by UFC star Miesha Tate.
“I got a way better offer per fight,” said Serrano about signing to fight in MMA.
Cindy Serrano who holds the WBO featherweight title will be defending it on Oct. 14, at Barclays Center. This will be the older sister’s second defense of the title she won last year in Puerto Rico. The Serrano sisters remain the only sister tandem to hold world titles simultaneously.
No opponent has been named yet for Cindy Serrano.
Japanese tournaments
The island nation of Japan takes its turn to host the next significant tournaments and it began this past weekend and moves on toward next weekend with a number of top flight clashes taking place.
Several flyweights and light flyweights battled over the weekend in Kyoto including Tamao Ozawa, Saemi Hanagata and Shione Ogata. Next weekend on Friday and Sunday several more flyweight fights take place. We will be reporting from Japan on most of those fights.
Japan has a lot in common with Mexico in that both countries are havens for the lighter weight classes. An ultimate showdown between both countries in the lighter weight classes is a surefire ultimate tournament.
Female Fight News
Argentina
On Friday Oct. 6, super flyweights Luna Torroba (12-6-2) and Vanesa Taborda (8-9-3) meet in a 10 round clash in Quemu, Quemu,
On Friday Oct. 6, flyweights Natalia Alderete (2-0) and Laura Salazar (0-5) meet in a four round contest in El Manatial, Tucuman.
Belgium
Femke Hermans (6-0) was victorious over Ester Konecna (1-4-1) after six rounds on Saturday Sept. 30. The super middleweight match was located at Kapellekensbaan.
China
Ya Hong Yu (6-0) beat Gao Liu (0-2) by decision after six rounds on Friday Sept. 29. The super flyweight contest took place in Beijing.
On Saturday Oct. 7, super bantamweights Ayumi Goto (7-0) and Kirti (3-0) meet in an eight round fight in Hong Kong. Also, Sandy Lam (1-1) and Nadya Nakhoir (0-2) meet in a four light flyweight fight.
Germany
Fabiana Bytyqi (11-0) vanquished Luisana Bolivar (4-5) by unanimous decision on Saturday Sept. 30. The minimum weight contest was held in Magdeburg. Bytyqi keeps the WBC Youth title.
Indonesia
Yoanita Alexandra (1-0) won her pro debut by decision over Alda Apandi (0-1) after four rounds on Saturday Sept.30. The lightweight fight was held in Tangerang.
Italy
Ilaria Scopece (5-0) knocked out Viktorija Mihailova (0-4) in the first round on Sunday Oct. 1. The flyweight match took place in Carugate, Lombardia.
Japan
On Friday Oct. 6, bantamweights Tomomi Takano (10-2) and Miyo Yoshida (7-1) meet in a six rounds fight in Tokyo.
Mexico
Jessica Chavez (30-4-3) defeated Esmeralda Moreno (35-10-1) by unanimous decision to retain the WBC flyweight world title and win the WBC Diamondbelt on Saturday Sept. 30. The flyweight finale took place in Ecatepec, Mexico City. Also, Nayeli Verde (3-3-2) defeated Monserrat Vasquez (2-5) by decision after a four round light flyweight bout.
Arely Mucino (25-3-2) defeated Japan’s Tenkai Tsunami (23-12) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Sept. 30. The flyweight fight took place in Cancun, Quintana Roo. Also, Guadalupe Martinez (16-9) retained the WBC super flyweight world title by decision after 10 rounds versus Carlota Santos (7-5-5) of Panama. Another female flyweight bout saw Guadalupe Bautista (10-10-2) defeat Yesenia Gomez (13-5-2) by majority decision after eight rounds.
On Saturday Oct. 7, flyweights Sulem Urbina (5-0) and Mitzi Rodriguez (2-6-1) meet in a four round bout in Hermosillo, Sonora.
Philippines
Gretchen Abaniel (18-8) defeated Chamaporn Chairin (5-2) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Sept. 30. The minimum weight was held Paraneque, Manila. Also, Gretel De Paz (4-1) beat Christine Latube (1-12-2) to win the Philippine bantamweight title.
Poland
Karina Kopinska (10-20-3) defeated Mariannas Gulyas (14-26) by decision after four rounds on Sunday Oct. 1. The featherweight contest was held in Katowice.
Oleksandra Sidorenko (7-0) beat Isabell Pare (6-1) in a 10-round battle of the undefeated on Saturday Sept. 30. The win gives Sidorenko the vacant EBU lightweight title and took place in Lomianki.
South Korea
Shin Young Park (3-0) beat Chan Mi Lim (2-4) by split decision after four rounds on Sunday Sept. 24. The flyweight fight was held in Seoul.
Spain
Inna Sagaydakovskaya (6-0) defeated Maria Lindberg (15-3-2) by decision to win the vacant WBC Silver title on Friday Sept. 29. The super welterweight fight was held in Bilbao. The winner Sagaydakovskaya, 33, fights out of Russia. The loser Lindberg, 40, fights out of Sweden.
On Friday Oct. 6, bantamweights Melania Sorroche (12-2-1) and Violeta Gonzalez (4-0) meet in a six round fight in Catalan.
On Saturday Oct. 7, super bantamweights Davinia Perez (5-0) and Jorgelina Guanini (7-0-1) meet in a 10 round fight for the vacant WBC Silver title in Las Palmas, Canary Islands.
Switzerland
On Saturday Oct. 7, lightweights Viviane Obenauf (11-3) and Sylwia Maksym (1-0) meet in a six round fight in Berne.
Thailand
Sumunthar Baenkham (3-3) was the victor by decision after six rounds versus Jantima Tansimi (0-1) on Saturday Sept. 30. The featherweight match up was held in Ramkamhaeng, Bangkok. Also, Phannaluk Kongsang (2-3) beat Saranyaphong Theinthong (1-10) by decision after a six round light flyweight fight.
United Kingdom
Natasha Jonas (2-0) won by fourth round technical knockout of Bojana Libiszewska (5-25) on Saturday Sept. 30. The lightweight contest was held in Liverpool, England.
Lauren Johnson (2-0) beat Borislava Goranova (10-49-3) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Sept. 30. The super welterweight match was held in Walsall, West Midlands.
USA
Shayna Foppiano (1-0) won her pro debut by technical knockout of Lamarya Geary (0-2) in the first round on Saturday Sept. 30. The welterweight fight took place in Boston, Mass.