Kenia Enriquez Speaks Out, Layla McCarter and More

Kenia Enriquez and Layla McCarter Speak Out and Other Female Fight News

 

By David A. Avila

Two of the best female prizefighters on the planet Kenia Enriquez and Layla McCarter share the same dilemma: both are shunned and avoided by world champions and top contenders.

It says a lot about boxing sanctioning organizations such as the WBC and IBF that have allowed this to go on for years.

Enriquez (23-1, 9 KOs) knocked down and rumbled past Japan’s Chaoz Minowa (6-3) to win by unanimous decision on Saturday at Tamazula, Mexico. It was her fourth defense of the interim WBC light flyweight title.

For the past three years Enriquez has waited her turn to fight for the actual WBC light flyweight world title. The Tijuana-based prizefighter has scared off competition in her native country for years. She’s like the boogey-woman in Mexico.

Currently the actual titlist for the WBC light flyweight title is Yesenia Gomez of Cancun, Mexico. She’s not a bad fighter but since winning the title on September 2018 against Esmeralda Moreno the WBC allowed her to bypass Enriquez on multiple occasions.

Instead, Gomez fought Erika Hanawa, Ana Victoria Polo and Debora Rengifo. Why not Enriquez?

There’s no sense or reason other than Gomez is being protected by the WBC an organization that claims to be fair and protective of the sport. Enriquez more than deserves a crack at the actual title. In truth, she is the real world champion at light flyweight.

On Saturday, the petite fighter Enriquez knocked Minowa across the ring in the fifth round that prompted the referee to rule it a knockdown because the ropes held her up. The 26-year-old Tijuana fighter dominated the action for 10 rounds winning every round according to the three judges. But it was not an easy fight.

“My victory against Minowa was the beginning of more activity, 10 rounds with a rival that never stopped looking for the win. It taught me that I can improve, there were moments that I tried everywhere to take advantage, first hitting the body but she was elusive. Then I started with my right hand and I succeeded. It was a tough fight that leaves me full of emotion and ready for the next one,” said Enriquez who is also a former WBO flyweight world titlist.

Enriquez has long been one of Mexico’s best female fighters. The world knows her talent, but that doesn’t seem to be enough to make the WBC the mandatory challenger to Gomez. Three years have passed since Enriquez won the interim title but she still has not fought the actual titlist. It’s a stain on the WBC.

“I have already talked about the unification and I am sure it will happen and I will work very hard to get a win.  I know that I am capable with the skills I have and if this fight comes versus the actual champion I will show the world with action,” said Enriquez about eventually facing WBC titlist Gomez. “And if it does not happen, I am willing to talk about losing weight to the straw weight level and achieve a title in a third different division versus Anabel “the Wasp” Ortiz.”

Enriquez remains waiting patiently.

McCarter vs Shields?

Another fighter avoided for years has been Layla McCarter who has not lost a fight in more than 12 years. Though a fight with Claressa Shields was never thought possible because of the weight disparity, the recent drop to super welterweight by the three-division world champion changes everything.

Could McCarter fight Shields this year?

“Shields would probably be the toughest fight of my career,” said McCarter adding that she likes the idea.

Though McCarter was ranked number one by the IBF in the welterweight division, and was the mandatory for Cecilia Braekhus a few years back, that fight never took place. Both fighters could not agree to terms so the clash of all clashes did not take place.  Nobody wants to fight somebody like McCarter who formerly held world titles in the super welterweight, welterweight, super lightweight, lightweight, and featherweight divisions.

Shields was also looking to fight Braekhus, but like McCarter, she seems to be passed over. Braekhus prefers fighting the smaller Katie Taylor. It’s still a tough fight for Braekhus, but if that happens, it leaves Shields without another foe at super welterweight.

Wait a minute. McCarter might be interested.

“She has size and skill and she is talented,” said McCarter of Shields. “I’ve done really well with big opponents.”

McCarter now participates in the super lightweight division but is capable of fighting anywhere between lightweight to the super welterweight division. Though she knows it would be a task, a match with Claressa Shields would be a match she would accept. Of course, everyone knows Shields doesn’t duck anyone if it makes money and sense. Could it be possible?

“It will be a great fight,” says McCarter.

Both Shields and McCarter are ranked number one and two Pound for Pound respectively by our web site. McCarter has been ranked number one or two by this web site for more than four years.

 

More Female Fight News

Argentina

Maria Baumstarh (2-2-1) beat Jennifer Meza (2-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Jan. 18. The super flyweight match was held in Buenos Aires.

Sandra Villarruel (1-0-1) won by decision after four rounds versus Gisela Ibanez (0-1) on Saturday Jan. 18. The flyweight fight took place at Cordoba.

Lucrecia Manzur (1-0) won by decision after four rounds versus Maria Celeste Sosa (0-1) on Friday Jan. 17. The lightweight fight took place at Buenos Aires.

On Friday Jan. 25, bantamweights Lucrecia Arrieta (0-1) and Brenda Perez (0-3) meet in a four round fight at Cordoba.

 

Canada

On Saturday Jan. 25, super bantamweights Martine Vallieres-Bisson (1-0) and Adilene Martinez (1-0) meet in a four round fight at Montreal.

 

Colombia

Monica Henao (2-1-3) and Angie Barca (2-13). The featherweight fight took place in Sincelejo.

 

Latvia

On Saturday Jan. 25, super featherweights Jekaterina Marcenko (0-0) and Diane Schembri (0-0) meet in a four round bout at Rigo.

 

Japan

On Monday Jan. 27, minimum weights Yumiko Shimooka (4-7) and Yumi Narita (3-4-3) meet in a six round bout for the Japanese title at Tokyo.

 

Mexico

Kenia Enriquez (23-1) defeated Japan’s Chaoz Minowa (6-3) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Jan. 18. The interim WBC light flyweight title fight was held at Tamazula, Mexico. It was Enriquez’s fourth defense of the title since 2017.

 

Spain

Mary Romero (6-2) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Ivanka Ivanova (3-12-2) on Saturday Jan. 18. The EBU super bantamweight title fight was held at Puerto Lumbreras.

 

USA

Maureen Shea (29-2-1) won by knockout against Martina Horgasz (5-6) on Friday Jan. 17. The bantamweight fight was held at Hallandale, Florida.

On Saturday Jan. 25, super middleweights Amy Lemenager (1-0) and Leslie Pope (4-0) meet in a four round match at Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

(Photo by spikedaily.com)