Japan Boxing Returns and More Fight News

 

By David A. Avila

An all-female fight card in Japan saw two world titles decided as the “Land of the Rising Sun” once again showcased its heavily talented women.

Slowed by the pandemic and strict quarantine rules applied by Japan, not many fight cards were held last year. Will this year prove to be different?

Two atomweight world title fights took place last Friday in Tokyo with new champions emerging as Nanae Suzuki took the WBO version from Mika Iwakawa by split decision. The clash for the IBF version saw Ayaka Miyao edge Eri Matsuda by majority decision.

Both title fights took place at the famous Korakuen Hall.

Japan continues to dominate the lower weight classes from atomweight to super flyweight and the occasional win in the bantamweight division. Their main competition is generally Mexico. When their champions meet its usually electric. It seems that Japan and Mexico have the only fighters willing to fight in other countries.

Naoko Fujioka, winner of five weight divisions, currently has the WBA flyweight world title and has agreed to meet WBC flyweight world titlist Marlen Esparza on April 9, in San Antonio, Texas. Last July, Fujioka made her American debut when she defeated Sulem Urbina in Los Angeles. She was awarded Japan’s Fighter of the Year for that win.

One of the most difficult achievements in boxing is to win in a foreign country. Fujioka has accomplished the feat a couple of times including a big upset over Mariana “La Barby” Juarez back in 2015 in Mexico City.

Now Fujioka will attempt to repeat when she faces Olympic bronze medalist Esparza whose speed and skills have allowed her to beat everyone she met in the ring except Seniesa Estrada.

Fujioka versus Esparza will tentatively appear on the Ryan Garcia vs Emmanuel Tagoe fight card at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

 

Mikaela

WBO and IBF super featherweight titlist Mikaela Mayer will be returning to action on April 9, against former champion Jennifer Han it was announced by ESPN. No site has been announced by Top Rank who promote Mayer.

Mayer’s last fight was in November when she defeated Maiva Hamadouche in the 2021 Fight of the Year. The unification match took place in Las Vegas and both champions erupted for 10 rounds nonstop with skilled violence that had to be seen to be believed.

The Southern California native has designs to become undisputed super featherweight champion before moving up a weight division. She’s also announced she would love to fight the winner between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano who meet on April 30 in New York City.

 

Heather Hardy

Speaking of New York City, it was announced last week that Heather Hardy suffered a wrist injury and had to pull out of her clash with Terri Harper in England.

Hardy, a former featherweight world champion, was eager to meet with former super featherweight champion Harper in a lightweight clash. That will have to wait now.

Both Hardy and Harper are big draws in their native countries and their meeting was expected to be a huge draw.

 

Ramla in L.A.

Great Britain’s super bantamweight prospect Ramla Ali has been training in Los Angeles and is scheduled to fight on March 19, at the Galen Center in L.A. on the Golden Boy Promotions boxing card.

Ali, 32, is very tall for the 122-pound weight class and has a solid amateur boxing background. She has been working with trainer Manny Robles.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Maira Moneo (9-1) defeated Estefania Alaniz (5-6-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Feb. 26. The lightweight regional title fight was held in Santa Fe.

Micaela Diaz (4-0) was the winner by decision after six rounds against Micaela Cabral (3-3) on Saturday Feb. 26. The welterweight fight took place at Buenos Aires.

Lucrecia Belen (4-1) won by majority decision over Jesica Leiva (3-1) after four rounds on Friday Feb. 25. The bantamweight fight was held at Cordoba.

On Friday March 4, light flyweights Maria Baumstarh (3-6-1) and Romina Sosa (2-0-4) meet 10 rounds for the South American title at Neuquen.

 

Australia

On Thursday March 3, super flyweights Linn Sandstrom (1-2-1) and Ali Jensen (0-2) meet six rounds at Brisbane.

On Friday March 4, flyweights Nicilia Costello (2-1) and Jessica Cashman (2-0) meet eight rounds at Eatons Hill, Queensland. Also, featherweights Rebecca Hawker (4-0) and Geeta Solanki (3-0) meet eight rounds.

 

Canada

Marie Pier Houle (5-0-1) defeated Yamila Reynoso (12-10-3) by decision after six rounds on Thursday Feb. 24. The welterweight clash took place at Montreal.

On Thursday March 3, featherweights Martine Vallieres (4-0) and Milagros Hernandez (0-1) meet four rounds at Montreal.

 

Czech Republic

On Saturday March 5, light flyweights Fabiana Bytyqi (18-0-1) and Ivanka Ivanova (3-17-3) meet eight rounds at Sono.

 

Dominican Republic

Yoscaira Alcantara (1-0) knocked out Denia Perez (0-1) in the second round of their fight on Friday Feb. 25. The cruiserweight fight took place at Jarabacoa.

 

France

On Saturday March 5, welterweights Sandy Meunier (1-0) and Ester Konecna (1-13-1) meet four rounds at Campbon.

 

Germany

On Saturday March 5, super welterweights Hanna Hansen (2-0) and Katarina Vistica (1-18) meet eight rounds at Bayern.

 

Ghana

On Wednesday March 2, flyweights Blessing Bukola Dada (3-0) and Pearl Adjetey (0-1) meet six rounds at Accra.

On Sunday March 6, middleweights Yarkor Chavez (10-8-1) and Lolita Muzeya (16-1) meet eight rounds at Accra.

 

India

On Tuesday March 1, super welterweights Neha (1-0) and Chetali Masurkar (0-1) meet four rounds at Gurgaon.

 

Italy

On Sunday March 6, light flyweights giorgia Scolastri (2-1) and Consuelo Portolani (3-3) meet 10 rounds for the Italian light flyweight title at Piemonte.

 

Japan

Nanae Suzuki (11-4-1) beat Mika Iwakawa (10-6-1) by split decision after 10 rounds on Friday Feb. 25. The WBO atomweight world title fight was held at Tokyo. Also, Ayaka Miyao (25-9-2) defeated Eri Matsuda (4-1-1) by majority decision after 10 rounds to win the IBF atomweight world title. Other results: flyweights Miyuki Katsuya (2-2-1) knocked out Riyako Goshi (3-8) in the second round; Moeko Okada (1-0) beat Hanako Adams (0-1) by decision. Also, atomweights Kagishippo Sachi (2-0) knocked out Mana Kawaguchi (1-1) in the second round; and Reiko Mori (1-1) knocked out Sawako Fukuhara (0-3) in the third round.

On Wednesday March 2, minimumweights Mizuko Chimoto (3-0) and Kaori Nagai (6-3-3) meet eight rounds at Tokyo. Also, bantamweights Kanako Taniyama (4-1-1) and Miki Matsuda (5-7) meet six rounds.

 

Kenya

On Saturday March 5, super featherweights Jane Kavulani (18-14-5) and Nicholine Achieng (0-7-1) meet six three-minute rounds at Nairobi.

 

Mexico

Jacky Calvo (15-7-2) defeated Alejandra Soto (7-7-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Feb. 26. The flyweight bout was held in Mexico City.

On Thursday March 3, bantamweights Paulette Valenzuela (13-2) and Reyna Viridiana (9-1) meet eight rounds at Tijuana.

On Friday March 4, flyweights Angela Nolasco (8-5-1) and Luz Aguilar (7-4-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Mexico City. Also, super featherweights Laura Avendano (6-0) and Karla Ramos (7-9) meet eight rounds.

On Friday March 4, bantamweights Jaqueline Mucio (7-9-1) and Jessica Martinez (4-14) meet eight rounds in Mexico City.

On Friday March 4, light flyweights Crisna Alvarez (1-0) and Sonia Herrera (2-0) meet four rounds at Tijuana.

On Saturday March 5, flyweights Marisol Rodriguez (1-0) and Anahi Perez (0-1-1) meet four rounds at Guanajuato.

 

Poland

Ewelina Pekalska (6-0) defeated Egine Kayange (5-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Friday Feb. 25. The super flyweight title fight took place at Zyrardow.

 

Russia

Lyubov Luzgina (2-0) won by unanimous decision over Oksana Marakhovskaya (0-2-1) on Friday Feb. 25. The super bantamweight fight took place at Moscow.

Sofya Ochigava (6-0) knocked out Alesia Fedarystava (0-1) in the first round on Tuesday Feb. 22. The lightweight fight was held at Moscow.

 

South Africa

Kholosa Ndobayini (15-10) won by unanimous decision after eight rounds versus Cicilia Pitiseni (2-5-1) on Sunday Feb. 27. The lightweight bout took place at Gauteng.

Simangele Hadebe (11-3-2) defeated Halima Vunjabei (10-8-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Thursday Feb. 24. The flyweight title fight was held at Gaunteng.

 

Spain

Tania Alvarez (3-0) beat Cara McLaughlin (0-2) by unanimous decision after four rounds on Saturday Feb. 26. The featherweight fight took place in Barcelona.

 

Thailand

Chisakan Ariphipat (11-1-1) defeated Daorueng Pakkhetanang (1-12) by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Sunday Feb. 27. The super flyweight bout took place at Pathum Thani. Also, Sothita Sittichai (2-0) beat Promporn Poolsawat (1-2) by decision in a six round minimumweight battle.

 

United Kingdom

Ebonie Jones (0-0-1) and Effy Kathopouli (4-3-1) fought to a draw after four rounds on Saturday Feb. 26. The featherweight clash took place at Glasgow, Scotland.

On Friday March 4, bantamweights Johanna Wonyou (3-0) and Sarafina Bela (4-4-1) meet six rounds at London, England. Also, welterweights Dee Allen (0-0) and Milena Koleva (10-12-1) meet six rounds; and featherweights Louise Orton (0-0) and Flora Machela (7-8) meet six rounds.

On Friday, March 4, lightweights Beccy Ferguson (1-3) and Vicky Wilkinson (2-0) meet four rounds at Staffordshire.

On Saturday March 5, minimumweights Gemma Ruegg (1-2) and Vera Kubickova (0-2) meet six three-minute rounds at Dorset.

 

USA

Mia Ellis (4-0) won by knockout in the first round over Tia Sutton (0-2) on Saturday Feb. 26. The super featherweight fight was held at Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Kalliopi Kouroni (12-3) defeated Simone Aparecida (17-19) by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Saturday Feb. 26. The lightweight fight took place at San Antonio, Texas.

On Saturday March 5, featherweights Skye Nicolson (0-0) and Jessica Juarez (3-0) meet six rounds at San Diego, California.

On Saturday March 5, featherweights Brittany Ordonez (3-3-1) and Leanne Calderon (0-0) meet four rounds in San Antonio, Texas. Also, featherweights Melissa Holguin (0-0) and Paola Ortiz (1-7-1) meet four rounds.

On Saturday March 5, welterweights Darci Vigil (1-2) and Ayanna Tramont (1-1) meet four three-minute rounds at Cheyenne, Wyoming.

 

Venezuela

On Saturday March 5, bantamweights Yurmary Jaramillo (2-0) and Keren Batiz (6-3-1) meet eight rounds at La Victoria.

 

Zambia

Kudakwashe Chiwandire (5-2-1) defeated Catherine Phiri (16-5) by split decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Feb. 26. The interim WBC super bantamweight title fight was held at Lusaka.