Red Boxing Stages Two Female Fights in Southern California
By Tarrah Zael
COMMERCE, Ca.-The future of women boxing took the stage at The Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, California Saturday night with two female boxing fights. An action-packed fight card was put together by three boxing promotions: Red Boxing Promotions, Elite Boxing and All Star Boxing Promotions.
Merari “La Dinamita” Vivar vs Elizabeth Tuani
Rising star, Merari “La Dinamita” Vivar (5-0, 1 KO) of East Los Angeles, CA took on Washington State’s Elizabeth Tuani (1-6) in a scheduled super bantamweight bout. At the young age of 20 years old, Vivar posed a threat to her opponent Tuani, who is almost 20 years older, aged 38. Tuani felt the power of punches from “La Dinamita” from the beginning of round one to the final bell. Although, Tuani had her moments to strike back, it was Vivar who had more accurate and damaging punches in the ring.
Vivar began round one expressing her skill with hard hooks to the body and then to the head as she controlled the fight in the middle of the ring. Controlling of the ring easily showcases what fighter will come out on top. After good exchanges from both fighters, they had the crowd talking in round two. Finally, “La Dinamita” then showed what her nickname meant by keeping the pressure on her counter and exploding a hard right hook to the face of Tuani, giving her a bloody nose by the end of round three.
The bout ended after four two-minute rounds leaving the decision up to the judges. All three judges scored the fight 40-36, giving the unanimous decision and still undefeated record to Merari “La Dinamita” Vivar.
Stephanie Chavez vs. Dawn Mzarakis
In the first female fight of the night, Stephanie Chavez (1-0) of Orange, California went all four rounds in a battle with Dawn Mzarakis (0-2) from Concord, CA. Both fighters were native of the state Illinois and California and shared the ring in a four-round super flyweight battle. Chavez, who made her pro debut, was born in Illinois but now resides in Orange, CA. Dawn Mzarakis is from Concord, CA and currently lives in the state of Illinois.
Mzarakis was more the aggressor in the early rounds of the fight, but Chavez was the stronger fighter. After two rounds of feeling each other out, the women finally warmed up to the fight and showed some action by rounds three and four. Chavez’ powerful hooks to the head of Mzarakis helped her get the unanimous decision win. All three judges scored the fight 40-36 for Chavez. Despite the loss, Mzarakis had a look of pure joy.
Editor’s note: writer Tarrah Zael is a boxer and trainer from Southern California.
(Photo by Alonzo Coston)