Marlen Esparza Adds More Star Power on Claressa Shields PPV Card in Flint
By David A. Avila
American Olympic medalist Marlen Esparza was added to the pay-per-view card featuring two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields it was announced Monday by Salita Promotions.
“I am delighted to add more super talent to this incredible all-female PPV event,” said Dmitriy Salita. “Marlen Esparza is an elite championship fighter who rounds out this already excellent fight card.”
A star-studded fight card got a serious boost of starpower with the addition of Olympian Esparza (8-1) who will be fighting Shelly Barnett (4-3-2) in a six round super flyweight clash on Friday March 5, at the Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. It will be streamed on pay-per-view by FITE.tv
Esparza was the first American woman to ever medal when she captured the Olympic bronze at the 2012 London Olympics. She then entered the professional fight world and signed with Golden Boy Promotions.
“I’m excited to be fighting on this historic all-women’s card around International Women’s Day and to be reunited with my 2012 Olympic teammate Claressa Shields,” said Esparza. “I also want to thank my opponent for taking this fight. I’m looking forward to representing all female fighters on March 5 and putting on a great performance. I want all my fans to tune in to this pay-per-view. This is a great night for women’s boxing and I’m grateful to be a part of it.”
Shields (10-0) leads the all-women pay-per-view fight card and faces her toughest opponent yet in Canada’s undefeated Marie Eve Dicaire (17-0) for the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF world titles. If successful, Shields will be the undisputed super welterweight world champion and the first woman to become undisputed in two weight divisions.
It won’t be easy.
Dicaire, 34, a speedy southpaw, has defeated several world champions in her professional career. She does not lack confidence.
“I did everything I had to get ready for this fight. And I am!” exclaimed Dicaire who hails from Montreal, Canada.
Shield, 25, grabbed world titles in the super middleweight division and became undisputed middleweight champion. Now she is gunning to be undisputed in the super welterweight division. It’s an incredible task to drop down in weight.
Most past multiple-division champions rise in weight. Seldom to fighters drop down in weight. Shields has won world titles at 168-pounds, 160-pounds and now 154 pounds. It’s a lofty feat.
A heavyweight clash pits Danielle Perkins (2-0) against Monika Harrison (2-1-1) in a fight set for eight rounds. Both wield heavyweight firepower. Don’t expect this fight too last too long. It’s a rematch. Harrison is looking for revenge and Perkins wants a crack at the heavyweight world title.
Others on the card are undefeated middleweight Logan Holler (9-0-1) meeting veteran Schemelle Baldwin (3-1-2) in an eight-round fight. Holler is very talented but Baldwin’s only loss was to world champion Alicia Napoleon. A bantamweight fight pits Jamie Mitchell (5-0-2) against a pro’s pro in Noemi Bosques (12-15-3).
Now with Houston’s Esparza added to the card it provides yet another fighter with world championship caliber skills.
The pay-per-view fight card is headlined by Claressa Shields and Marie Eve Dicaire and takes place at 6 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday March 5. The cost is a meager $29.99 Go to this link: https://www.fite.tv/watch/shields-vs-dicaire/2p8qn/
More Fight News
Australia
Amber Wright (1-0) won by unanimous decision after six rounds versus Olivia Kerr (0-1) on Saturday Feb. 27. The featherweight bout took place at Cessnock, New South Wales.
Sarah Higginson (1-0-1) defeated Sylvia Cinque (0-1) by decision after five rounds on Friday Feb. 26. The super flyweight bout was held at Northbridge, Western Australia.
Czech Republic
Fabiana Bytyqi (17-0-1) won by unanimous decision after six rounds against Judit Hachbold (5-10) on Saturday Feb. 27. The light flyweight fight was held at Usti and Labem. Bytyqi holds the WBC Atomweight world title at 102 pounds. Also, Nikola Hubalkova (1-0) defeated Lara Ochmann (5-1) by decision after four three-minute rounds in a super bantamweight fight.
France
On Friday March 5, lightweights Estelle Mossely (8-0) and Verena Kaiser (14-1) meet 10 rounds for the IBO world title at Nantes.
Germany
Cecile Forstner (1-0) defeated Fagbule Oluwafanke (0-2) by decision after four rounds on Sunday Feb. 28. The super featherweight match was held in Cologne.
Michelle Klich (1-0) defeated Eva Hrkotova (0-4) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Feb. 27. The bantamweight fight was held at Berlin.
Japan
On Sunday March 7, atomweights Ayumi Tanaka (0-0) and Arika Shimono (0-1) meet four rounds at Fukuoka.
Kazakhstan
Zhansaya Rakhymberdi (3-0) won by majority decision after six rounds versus Aiym Zhumabay (0-1) on Saturday Feb. 27. The flyweight fight took place at Almaty.
Malta
On Saturday March 6, super flyweights Sonia Di Biase (13-1) and Tatiana Evelin (0-0) meet four rounds at St. Julians.
Mexico
Maria Salinas (24-7-5) defeated Asley Gonzalez (10-2) by split decision after 10 rounds on Thursday Feb. 25. The NABF flyweight title fight was held at Nuevo Leon. Also, Marisol Moreno (5-1) beat Mayra Leon Guzman (0-2) by decision after six rounds in a super lightweight bout.
Thailand
Siriphon Chanbuala (13-11-2) beat Supansa Aimdee (2-7) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Feb. 27. The lightweight bout took place at Pathum Thani. Also, Chisakan Ariphipat (4-0-1) beat Rawiwan Saikrajang (1-3) on points after six rounds in a super flyweight match.
USA
Jasmine Artiga (8-0-1) knocked out Randee Lynn Morales (2-2) in the second round on Saturday Feb. 27. The super flyweight bout took place at Orlando, Florida.
On Friday March 5, super welterweights Claressa Shields (10-0) and Marie Eve Dicaire (17-0) meet 10 rounds for the undisputed world championship at Flint, Michigan. Also, heavyweights Danielle Perkins (2-0) and Monika Harrison (2-1-1) meet eight rounds; Middleweights Logan Holler (9-0-1) and Schemelle Baldwin (3-1-2) meet eight rounds; bantamweights Jamie Mitchell (5-0-2) and Noemi Bosques (12-15-3) meet six rounds. A late addition to the pay-per-view card is Marlen Esparza (8-1) versus Shelly Barnett (4-3-2) in a six round bout.