American Olympians Mayer, Esparza and Fuchs Win and More News
By David A. Avila
Three American Olympians led by Mikaela Mayer showcased their brand of prizefighting and all were televised or streamed.
It’s a new era for female prizefighting.
This past Saturday, in her native Southern California, Mayer trounced another American Jessica Han who was honed in the USA amateur world too. Both engaged in a skilled and fierce fight seldom seen before the 2010s. Now we are seeing it more and more and not just in America.
After three Olympic Games women now have the torch to guide them as a beacon to the professional fight world. This past weekend we saw Olympians Marlen Esparza, Ginny Fuchs and Mayer all perform on various media outlets.
The world was watching.
Mayer has evolved from a boxer reared in the international amateur world dependent on using her arm length and height advantage. As a professional Mayer has graduated to a polished fully equipped prizefighter able to fight inside, toe-to-toe or via Malcom X’s mantra by any means necessary.
Against Han, the fierce blond super featherweight world champion Mayer bludgeoned and pounded the former featherweight champion for all 10 rounds. Though it was clear that a decision was most likely in her favor, Mayer gunned toward a knockout win at Bob Hayes speed.
“I wanted to get the stoppage. I feel like I hurt her in the eighth round, almost finished her,” said Mayer. “This is another reason why I’m advocating for three-minute rounds.”
The big question is why wasn’t this fight held in three-minute rounds?
Don’t blame it on the California State Boxing Commission.
Texas judging
In San Antonio, Texas, another Olympian Marlen Esparza clashed with Japan’s five-division world titlist Naoko Fujioka for the WBA and WBC world titles. Esparza and Fujioka fought in close for 10 rounds in a riveting struggle that was difficult to judge in mere two-minute rounds.
Esparza won by unanimous decision that was more noted for its horrible judging by two Texas judges Wilfredo Esperon and Jesse Reyes. Both gave Esparza every round on their scorecards. No neutral observer agreed with those two scores. Not that Esparza was unfairly given the win, but to claim that the Japanese champion did not win a single round was clearly an indicator that Esperon and Reyes should never judge a world title fight again.
Before going into the fight Fujioka’s team had concerns about Texas judging. They had preferred California or Nevada judging. Originally this fight was slated for Los Angeles, but a change of plans by the promoter Golden Boy Promotions switched the fight to Texas.
The Japanese team’s concerns proved justified by the two Texas judges who seemingly just turned in pre-determined scorecards like those 1988 Olympic judges in South Korea.
Most credible world title fights have neutral judges. In this case if there is one Texas judge than a Japanese judge should have been allowed and maybe a third from Europe or Africa.
One judge, Lisa Giampa of Nevada, turned in a fight card that seemed to accurately score the world title fight between two world champions. It was fair and seemingly on par with other neutral observers.
I feel blame must go to the sanctioning organizations for picking Texas judges.
Ginny’s debut
2020 US Olympian Ginny Fuchs made her pro debut splash with a knockout win over Randee Lynn Morales on the Top Rank fight card at Costa Mesa, California. It was significant because the Texas flyweight was the last boxer to defeat Marlen Esparza in the amateurs.
Fuchs beat Esparza in the US Nationals Finals on December 2016. It was her second consecutive win against Esparza who won bronze in the 2012 London Olympics. Fuchs then went on to represent Team USA but did not make Olympic qualifying in 2016. But she did make the USA Olympic team in 2020.
The impressive win by Fuchs this past weekend means she could be fast-forwarded to a showdown between the two Houston, Texans. Fuchs is already 34 years old and Esparza is 32. A fight between the two should happen within a year or two.
Baumgardner in England
WBC super featherweight titlist Alycia Baumgardner (11-1, 7 Kos) makes the first defense of her title against late replacement Edith Matthysse (17-11-1) on Saturday April 16, in Manchester, England. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card.
America’s Baumgardner last entered the boxing ring when she shocked the British fandom with a fourth round stoppage of Terri Harper back in November. Now she returns and faces Argentina’s Matthysse a former featherweight world champion who defeated Jelena Merdjenovich in 2015 and then lost in the rematch.
Baumgardner trains in Detroit and was recently seen in San Diego, California where she was invited to the Matchroom Boxing card that featured Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. The model/fighter accompanied lightweight Devin Haney and his father during the fights. She also talked a little about her plans including this first defense of the WBC title.
“I have to take this mandatory and then I am going to fight (Hyun Mi) Choi later this year,” said Baumgardner at the Pechanga Arena earlier this year. Choi holds the WBA version of the super featherweight title.
Of course, Mikaela Mayer wants either of the titlists. The blonde prizefighter feels she is being freezed out. She does have another option in fighting the winner between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano who meet at the end of this month at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“I’m game to go up and challenge the winner of {Amanda} Serrano versus Katie Taylor,” said Mayer who fights at 130-pounds but could easily move up to 135 pounds.
More Fight News
Argentina
Florencia Zalazar (3-0) beat Elizabeth Brito (1-13-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday April 9. The super featherweight bout took place in Buenos Aires.
Victoria Benavidez (1-4) defeated Andrea Sanchez (8-4-1) by split decision after four rounds on Saturday April 9. The flyweight fight was held in Cordoba.
Sofia Rodriguez (5-5) beat Gisela Avalos (2-5-1) by majority decision after four rounds on Saturday April 9. The super lightweight bout took place at Santa Fe.
On Friday April 15, bantamweights Florencia Ayelen Juarez (8-1) and Maria Mazzarello (3-0) meet eight rounds at Buenos Aires.
Australia
Welterweights Kate McLaren (0-0-2) and Pam McClelland (1-1-1) fought to a draw after four rounds on Wednesday April 6. The bout was held at Sydney. Also, super featherweights Shanell Dargan (0-0-1) and Ashleigh Sims (0-0-1) fought to a draw after four rounds.
Austria
Denise Stanojev (4-0) won by knockout over Ruza Zakic (0-1) in the second round. The super featherweight bout was held in Vienna.
Chile
Super flyweights Daniela Asenjo (11-3-3) and Maribel Ramirez (13-9-3) fought to a draw after 10 rounds on Saturday April 9. The WBA world title fight took place at San Francisco.
Denmark
Dina Thorslund (18-0) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Niorkis Carreno (22-3) on Saturday April 9. The WBO bantamweight title fight took place at Holstebro.
France
Priscilla Peterie (5-0) defeated Marianne Ahlbourg (5-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Friday April 8. The French super welterweight title match was held at Nord.
Emma Gongora (3-2) won by decision after 10 rounds versus Elsa Hemat (4-6-2) on Wednesday April 6. The French lightweight title fight was held at Marseille.
Germany
Dilar Kisikyol (6-0) won by decision over Anna-Lena Weusmann (0-1) on Saturday April 9. The super lightweight bout was held in Brandenburg.
Japan
On Saturday April 16, bantamweights Kanako Taniyama (4-1-1) and Miki Matsuda (5-7) meet six rounds at Osaka. Also, atomweights Kaoru Iga (5-2-1) and Natsuki Tarui (4-8-2) meet six rounds.
Mexico
Maria Rodriguez de Los Santos (2-1) won by split decision over Norma Vazquez (3-8) on Friday April 8. The super flyweight bout took place at Tuxtla Gutierrez.
South Africa
Bukiwe Nonina (18-4-1) beat Feriche Mashauri (10-5) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday April 9. The Africa super featherweight title fight was held at Sun City.
Tanzania
On Sunday April 17, bantamweights Egine Kayange (5-2) and Amina Ngendo (0-1) meet four rounds at Dar es Salaam. Also, flyweights Jesca Mfinanga (2-1-1) and Diana Raymond (0-1) meet four rounds.
United Kingdom
Jade Taylor (5-0) won by decision after 10 rounds versus Linzi Buczynskyj (2-1) on Saturday April 9. The super featherweight fight was held in Lanchashire.
Eftychia Kathopouli (5-3-1) beat Karina Szmalenburg (14-50-4) by decision after six rounds on Friday April 8. The featherweight bout was held at Glenrothes, Scotland.
Jordan Baker (3-1) defeated Klaudia Vigh (3-36-1) by decision after six rounds on Friday April 8. The lightweight match was held at Tyne and Wear, England.
On Saturday April 16, super featherweights Alycia Baumgardner (11-1) and Edith Matthysse (17-11-1) meet 10 rounds at Manchester, England for the WBC world title.
USA
Mikaela Mayer (17-0) defeated Jennifer Han (18-5-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday April 9. The WBO, IBF world title fight took place at Costa Mesa, California. Also, Ginny Fuchs (1-0) knocked out Randee Lynn Morales (4-4) in the fourth round.
Michelle Cook (2-3-2) beat Elizabeth Tuani (1-7) by decision after four rounds on Saturday April 9. The super featherweight bout took place at Schenectady, New York.
Marlen Esparza (12-1) won by decision after 10 rounds versus Naoko Fujioka (19-3-1) on Saturday April 9. The WBA, WBC flyweight world title match was held in San Antonio, Texas.
Alexis Robinson (1-0) beat Hannah Sesco (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday April 9. The welterweight fight was held at Parkersburg, West Virginia.
(Photo by Al Applerose)