Female Fight News March 19, 2018 West Coast Revived
By David A. Avila
After two or three years of darkness West Coast boxing finally returned and for two consecutive weeks female prizefighting shined.
For back-to-back weeks female boxing was televised on three separate fight cards thanks to Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank. One boxing card though not televised featured two female bouts.
East L.A.’s Seniesa Estrada headlined a Golden Boy boxing card at Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles. It was the main event and was televised by Estrella TV. She became only the second female boxer next to Claressa Shields to gain that honor.
More are coming.
In two weeks Marlen Esparza the former 2012 Olympic bronze medalist will also headline a fight card at Belasco Theater in L.A. and it will be televised by Estrella TV too. That takes place on Friday April 6.
Golden Boy’s Eric Gomez said they are studying the impact of female prizefighting and its popularity with the boxing public. Last week’s show featuring Seniesa Estrada against Mexico’s Sonia Osorio was sold out. Though the venue only holds a bit under 1,000 there were no more seats.
East L.A.’s Estrada touts significant drawing power. In various shows at the Inglewood Forum and StubHub Center in Carson she drew several thousand fans there the past three years. Promoters were slow to see it but once they tabulated the numbers they soon became interested in signing the dainty but dangerous light flyweight.
One thing about Estrada is her willingness to fight above her weight class. Though quite comfortable fighting in the 108-pound light flyweight division and 105-pound minimum weight class, she has accepted bigger and heavier opponents like Osorio at 112 pounds.
“It was great being the main event. I didn’t feel the pressure but of course I wanted to go out there and give an exciting fight,” said Estrada whose nickname is “Super Bad,” and is most suited for the light flyweight division. “I can always easily win by using my footwork and defense but I wanted to try to put the pressure and make it a fight so it could be as exciting as possible for the fans.”
Fans were delirious with excitement.
With a combined 18 years in boxing as an amateur and professional, Estrada, 25, has traded blows with many talented and heavier women for more than a decade. Among those she sparred at a very young age were talented world champions like Kaliesha West and contenders such as Becky Diaz. Seldom were there many female boxers available in her weight class to spar.
Of course many other female fighters have the same problem of finding suitable sparring. There’s a dearth of female boxers with many women venturing into MMA because of the paydays.
That can all change in the sport of boxing with women headlining televised cards.
As Estrada found her hand raised among the loud cheers and screams it was a moment she had anticipated all of her young life.
“It was a sold out crowd which was amazing,” said Estrada.
Now it’s Marlen Esparza’s turn.
Double main
Two female bouts though only four round fights were the main event on Saturday at Commerce Casino in Commerce, Calif.
Lynwood’s Adelaida “La Cobra” Ruiz knocked out Brenda Enriquez with a crisp left hook during an exchange in the second round. For a moment many in the crowd of more than 1200 were stunned by the sight of Enriquez unconscious on the ground.
As one of the officials tried to pick Enriquez up she began firing punches while still on her back. It was a true sign of the fighting spirit of women. There she was unconscious but throwing blows in the air.
Fans watching a female boxing match are always surprised by the passion shown.
In the other female bout Lisa Porter clashed with Kazakhstan’s Aida Satybaldinova in a four round lightweight matchup. It was ruled a split draw after four turbulent but quick rounds.
Four rounds is not enough for quality fighters whether its women or men. Satybaldinova and Porter are definitely quality prizefighters and needed more rounds to develop a full strategy. It was shamefully short.
But both fighters are unafraid of competition. Porter recently fought 10 rounds for the NABF lightweight title and Satybaldinova, a national champion in her country, was making her pro debut. Both did not hesitate to jump in the ring against each other. They believe in their talent.
Revived
The past two weeks seemed to resuscitate female boxing on the West Coast after years of slumber. With Mikaela Mayer and Maricela Cornejo both performing in front of televised audiences and this past Friday’s broadcast of Estrada’s fight, the future of West Coast female boxing looks healthy again.
For the past several years East Coast female prizefighters were carrying the burden of keeping the sport alive. Maybe now the Mid-West can rise up behind the talent of lightweight contender Jessica McCaskill of Chicago and of course multi-world champion Claressa Shields.
Female Fight News
Argentina
Ana Guichapani (8-0) won by split decision over Paola Ibarra (4-5) after 10 rounds on Saturday March 17. The super featherweight fight was held in Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz.
Australia
Cherneka Johnson (9-0) won by technical knockout in the fourth round versus Rungnapha Kaewkrachang (13-12-1) on Saturday March 17. The bantamweight fight for the WIBA title took place in Flemington, Victoria.
April Adams (9-1-1) defeated Phannaluk Koongsang (3-4-1) by unanimous decision after five rounds on Saturday March 17. The super bantamweight bout took place in Mansfield, Queensland.
On Saturday March 24, super welterweights Natalie Jenkinsen (1-0) and Donna Sadler (0-0) meet in a four round fight at Tweed Heads, New South Wales.
Austria
Ivana Habazin (18-3) knocked out Elene Sikmashvili (10-6) in round five on Friday March 16. The middleweight fight for the IBO title took place in Vienna. Also, super welterweight Patricia Apolot (3-0) beat Klaudia Vigh (2-23-1) by decision.
Chile
On Friday March 23, bantamweights Carolina Rodriguez (15-0) and Carolina Alvarez (13-8-4) meet in an eight round bout at San Francisco de Mostazal. Also, Yesica Marcos (27-1-2) fights Cristina Pacheco (10-10-2) in a six round featherweight match.
Estonia
On Saturday March 24, featherweights Elena Gradinar (8-0) and Olivia Gerula (18-17-2) tangle in a 10 round fight for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title at Narva. Gradinar is co-signed by Salita Promotions who also have Claressa Shields, Franchon Crews and Christina Hammer.
France
Melanie Mercier (1-3-1) was the winner by decision after six rounds against Megan Ouvrard (3-3-2) on Saturday March 17. The flyweight match took place in Chatellerault, Vienne.
Italy
Ilaria Scopece (7-0) defeated Claudia Ferenczi (16-62-7) by decision after eight rounds on Friday March 16. The flyweight clash took place in Cernusco sul Naviglio.
Malaysia
Gretel de Paz (5-3) won by unanimous decision over Gulasal Atakulova (0-1) after four rounds on Saturday March 17. The flyweight fight took place in Subang Jaya.
Mexico
On Saturday March 24, minimum weights Anabel Ortiz (26-3) and Etsuko Tada (17-3-2) meet for the WBA title at Saltillo, Coahuila.
New Zealand
Geovana Peres (5-1) defeated Lani Daniels (2-1) by split decision after 10 rounds on Friday March 16. The heavyweight fight took place in Auckland.
Philippines
On Sunday March 25, flyweights Casey Morton (6-0-3) and Nongmuay Kokietgym (13-3-3) meet in eight three-minute rounds at Paranaque, Manila.
Poland
Dorota Norek (1-0) beat Sonia Klos (0-2) by unanimous decision after four rounds on Saturday March 17. The bantamweight fight was held in Poznan. Also, Ewelina Pekalska (1-0) beat Nevenka Mikulic (7-12-1) by decision in a four round light flyweight bout.
Slovakia
On Tuesday March 20, bantamweights Maria Dome (0-0) and Claudia Ferenczi (16-62-7) meet in a four round fight in Sturovo.
Spain
Melania Sorroche (14-2-2) won by technical knockout in the 10th round versus Davinia Perez (6-1) on Friday March 16. The EBU bantamweight title fight was held in Castellbisbal, Catalan.
Miriam Gutierrez (5-0) knocked out Ksenija Medic (0-7-1) in round one of Friday March 16. The lightweight fight was held in Madrid.
United Kingdom
Ruqsana Begum (0-0-1) and Ivanka Ivanova (1-3-1) fought to a draw after four rounds on Saturday March 17. The super flyweight bout took place in Bethnal Green, London.
USA
Amanda Pavone (4-0) won by technical knockout in the third round over Sarah Click (0-0) on Saturday March 17. The featherweight match was held in Boston, Mass.
Adelaida Ruiz (4-0) knocked out Brenda Enriquez (0-1) in the second round on Saturday March 17. The bantamweight fight took place in Commerce, Calif. Also, Lisa Porter (1-1-2) and Kazakhstan’s Aida Satybaldinova (0-0-1) fought to a split draw after four rounds in a lightweight clash.
Ema Kozin (13-0) defeated Eva Bajic (13-11) by technical knockout in round five on Friday March 16. The middleweight fight for the vacant GBC and WIBA, WBF titles took place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Seniesa Estrada (12-0) was the winner by unanimous decision versus Mexico’s Sonia Osorio (10-6-1) on Friday March 16. The flyweight fight took place in Los Angeles, California. It was Estrada’s first fight since signing with Golden Boy Promotions.
(Photo by Al Applerose)