Mary McGee and American Eruption and Female Fight News
By David A. Avila
Fans of European female boxing, pardon us.
Increased excitement over the rise of the women’s fight game has American fans outright giddy over recent developments.
A six-female boxing card saw IBF super lightweight titlist Mary McGee retain the title by knockout over Aussie strong Deanha Hobbs last weekend in Hammond, Indiana. It marked a significant moment for American female prizefighting.
Let me count the ways.
Not since Holly Holm was ruling the boxing ring and spearheaded a five-bout female card in Temecula, California had anything similar taken place in the past 12 years. That was in Feb. 7, 2008 and nothing comparable to that occurred again on American soil.
Before that a March 2005 card showcasing women Elena Reid versus Alicia Ashley at Laughlin, Nevada also sported an all-female boxing card. After that fight Reid dropped down to flyweight and won two world titles and Ashley went on to international recognition too.
This past weekend McGee co-promoted the ambitious card with DiBella Entertainment looking to re-ignite female prizefighting in her native state.
Others participating were Melissa St. Vil who scrapped with Canada’s Jessica Camara and former super lightweight titlist Christina Linardatou who battled British resident Prisca Vicot to a 10-round decision win. The victory allowed her to re-capture the WBO super lightweight title she had lost to Ireland’s Katie Taylor a few months ago.
The entire card had an international flavor that included America’s first look at Aussie sensation Ebanie Bridges in a super bantamweight win against Crystal Hoy. All of the bouts were streamed at a pay-per-view cost.
Details were unavailable on the number of viewers who watched the female-dominated card, but the simple fact it was attempted by the promoters signifies confidence in the women’s sport. More could be on the way saw American promoters.
Thursday in Indio
American audiences were also treated on Thursday when Sulem Urbina made her American debut against Noemi Bosques at Indio, California. DAZN streamed the flyweight battle so audiences all over were able to witness the action live.
Increasingly female fights in America are being lined up and shown on various media outlets. It’s a sign of the times.
Urbina had primarily fought in Mexico though she was raised and lives in Phoenix, Arizona, which is less than three hours from Indio, California. It was the first time Urbina’s mother saw her perform as a professional.
“She was so happy,” said Urbina via social media about her mother’s reaction. “I could hear her cheer me on.”
Fans at the arena were very excited about the female clash at Fantasy Springs Casino. It’s become a regular expectation at Golden Boy Promotions events and they have expressed a willingness to give fans what they want in showcasing female fights.
Though California stages more professional boxing cards than any place in the USA, for many decades female fights were a rare occurrence. No longer is that the case.
Red Boxing in CR
A Philippines-based organization with a branch in Southern California co-promoted a world title fight in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Yokasta Valle recently signed a two-year agreement with Red Boxing Promotions and defended her title this past Saturday against Carleans Rivas. It was her second world title defense and the fight ended in a third round knockout win for Valle.
Red Boxing said it expects to stage an American event for Valle soon.
Harper wins
Not to forget, Europe continues to thrive and in England the WBC super featherweight fight changed hands as Terri “The Belter” Harper floored Eva Wahlstrom late in the fight and zoomed to victory to become the new champion.
Harper, 23, won the world title with an impressive performance but her age was over-emphasized quite a bit by commentators saying “she is only 23.” It’s a young age but not overly young. Claressa Shields was 22 when she won the world title and I don’t recall commentators emphasizing her age as much. Maybe it’s because Katie Taylor is in her 30s and is the measuring stick for all others fighting in Great Britain. One thing is certain, Harper will get even better with time.
Wahlstrom set up numerous traps and if not for her lack of power, the fight could have ended in her favor. But lacking the knockout blow, she merely stunned Harper and that allowed the lanky fighter to regain her senses and confidence. After that, it was all over for the Finn who had suffered a knockdown against Melissa St. Vil similar to Harper’s knockdown. But when St. Vil accomplished the feat, it was not ruled a knockdown in Finland. This time it was correctly ruled a knockdown and Harper took advantage with an impressive performance.
More Female Fight News
Australia
On Saturday Feb. 15, super flyweights Susie Ramadan (27-3) and Gretel De Paz (6-5-2) meet eight rounds at Victoria.
Canada
On Friday Feb. 14, welterweights Carolyn Redmond (2-0) and Karina Rodriguez (3-1-1) meet four rounds at Sydney, Nova Scotia.
On Saturday Feb. 15, super lightweights Kandi Wyatt (9-1) and Beatriz Aguilar (6-3-1) meet six three-minute rounds at Calgary. Also, bantamweights Bree Howling (1-0) and Estefania Orozco (2-3) meet four three-minute rounds.
Costa Rica
Yokasta Valle (20-2) won by technical knockout in the sixth round versus Carleans Rivas (8-7-4) on Saturday Feb. 8. The IBF minimum weight world title fight took place at San Jose. It was her second defense of the title.
France
On Saturday Feb. 15, flyweights Melanie Mercier (2-6-1) and Marie Connan (1-1) meet six rounds in Vendome.
Germany
Christina Hammer (25-1) defeated Florence Muthoni (12-9-2) by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Saturday Feb. 8. The middleweight fight took place at Goeppingen. It was Hammer’s first fight since losing to Claressa Shields in April 2019.
On Saturday Feb. 15, welterweights Jessica Schadko (7-0) and Borislava Goranova (11-61-4) meet six rounds in Bayern.
India
On Sunday Feb. 16, bantamweights Aarti Aarti (0-0) and Vishakha Vishakha (0-0) meet four rounds at Patiala.
Kazakhstan
On Saturday Feb. 15, flyweights Gulmira Tolepbergen (0-0) and Zhansaya Rakhymberdi (0-0) debut in four round fight against each other at Almaty.
Panama
Mayerlin Rivas (16-4-2) defeated Laura Ledezma (14-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Friday Feb. 7. The WBA super bantamweight world title fight took place in Panama City. Venezuela’s Rivas, 32,formerly held the WBA bantamweight world title. Also, Yaditza Perez (14-13-1) beat Nataly Delgado (7-3-1) by decision after eight round flyweight fight.
Philippines
On Saturday Feb. 15, super flyweights Hee Jung Yuh (22-3) and Kanyanat Chotchun (2-1) meet 10 rounds at Manila.
Russia
On Wednesday Feb. 12, super welterweights Luiza Davidova (1-1) and Madina Smyslova (1-0) meet six rounds at Moscow.
South Korea
On Sunday Feb. 16, super flyweights Ji Young Suh (1-1) and Ryu Kyung Suh (0-0) meet four rounds in Seoul.
United Kingdom
Terri Harper (10-0) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds against Eva Wahlstrom (23-2-2) on Saturday Feb. 8. The WBC super featherweight title fight was held in Sheffield, England. (read Phil Woolever’s story on the Prizefighters.com)
Hannah Rankin (9-4) won by third round knockout versus Eva Bajic (14-18) on Saturday Feb. 8. The super welterweight fight took place at Paisley, Scotland.
USA
Mary McGee (27-3) won by knockout in the eighth round over Deanha Hobbs (8-2) on Saturday Feb. 8. The IBF super lightweight fight was held at Hammond, Indiana. Also, Christina Linardatou (13-2) beat Prisca Vicot (11-7) by decision after 10 rounds for the WBO super lightweight title; Melissa St. Vil (13-4-4) beat Jessica Camara (7-2) for the NABO lightweight title by decision; Ebanie Bridges (4-0) beat Crystal Hoy (6-11-4) by decision after a six round super bantamweight match; Sarah French (5-2-1) beat Christina Barry (1-7) by decision in a welterweight contest.
Elizabeth Tuani (1-1) beat Rebecca Cruz (2-1) by decision after four rounds. The bantamweight fight was held at Daytona Beach, Florida.
Sulem Urbina (12-0) won by unanimous decision after six rounds versus Noemi Bosques (12-15-3) on Thursday Feb. 6. The flyweight fight was held in Indio, California. (For more on this fight read Felipe Leon’s story on thePrizefighters.com).
On Saturday Feb. 15, lightweights Jennifer Han (17-3-1) and Jeri Sitzes (15-10-1) meet 10 rounds at El Paso, Texas. Also, lightweights Ayanna Vasquez (6-1-1) and Susana Uribe (3-3) meet six rounds.