All Female Card in London Led by Shields, Marshall, Mayer and Baumgardner
By David A. Avila
An all-female fight card led by Claressa Shields, Savannah Marshall, Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner will take place in September in the United Kingdom, it was formally announced by the promoters.
No punches were pulled as three of the combatants spoke to the media via conference call on Tuesday.
Shields (12-0, 2 Kos) will be meeting Marshall (12-0, 10 Kos) for the undisputed middleweight championship on September 10, at the O2 Arena in London, England. Joining in the fray will be Mikaela Mayer (17-0, 5 Kos) meeting fellow American Alycia Baumgardner (12-1, 7 Kos) in a super featherweight unification clash.
The fight card will be promoted by Salita Promotions, Boxxer and Top Rank and shown on ESPN.
Odds favor Marshall over Shields though their fight is two months away and the numbers can change. Most favor the British fighter because of her power. Shields contends those Marshall victims were foes on a subpar talent level.
“They are saying she is a big knockout puncher. She has the recipe to beat me,” said Shields sitting near Marshall at the press conference. “My job is to show everybody that she doesn’t.”
WBO titlist Marshall says that they have fought many of the same opponents and she was able to knock them out. She does not predict a knockout, but a win.
“I win this fight through heart. I will become undisputed champion of the world,” said Marshall as she sat near Shields. “That will be the end of it.”
Shields and Marshall differ in their views and about why the British fighter was able to defeat Shields as an amateur. It’s a moot point now and each is willing to prove their talent come September.
“You’re not going to knock me out and you’re not going to beat me,” said Shields to Marshall.
Mayer
Another seeking to prove their talent will be Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner who was unable to connect in the press conference via zoom due to technical problems.
Mayer said she was ecstatic to be part of an all-female card especially with the middleweights serving as the main event.
“This is the type of vision I had of this sport in joining the stage with Shields vs Marshall,” said Mayer via Zoom. “I’m about putting on a show and giving the fans a fight they want to see.”
Baumgardner and Mayer have been sparring on social media. Just yesterday words were exchanged by the two champions over comments regarding Mayer’s birthday on the 4th of July.
No need for further comments when the two can meet in the prize ring in London come September 10.
IBF and WBO titlist Mayer said fighting WBC and IBO titlist Baumgardner to unify the titles was paramount on her list. She plans to move up to the lightweight division before the year ends.
Both Baumgardner and Mayer sought to fight Hyun Mi Choi who holds the WBA super featherweight version but has not accepted an offer from either fighter.
“Choi needs to be stripped of her belt. She is just holding back this division. None of us can get a fight with her,” said Mayer about the fighter based in Korea.
“After I run through Baumgardner I’m going up,” said Mayer who plans to move up to the lightweight division. “I’m going to give Choi a little bit of time.”
A match between Mayer and Baumgardner looks explosive.
The promoters said other female bouts will be added but have not been announced as of yet. Stay tuned.
Ramla Returns
Ramla Ali returns to the prize ring this Saturday July 9, at the O2 Arena in London, England and meets Augustina Belen in a super bantamweight fight. It will be interesting to see the continued development of Ali who has been training in L.A. with Manny Robles.
Ali looked impressive in her last performance when she battered and quickly stopped Shelly Barnett in two rounds. The doors to the Galen Center had not been opened when Ali dispensed of her opponent in quick fashion. A month later Ali was at the Met Gala in New York City where she wowed the fashion followers with her gown and look.
What can’t she do?
Aussies
The Aussies women are on the move as Taylah Robertson is gaining attention in the super flyweight division and Skye Nicolson in the featherweight division. In the bantamweight division the down under country has Ebanie Bridges wearing the IBF world title belt.
For decades Aussie women have shown talent but distance was a factor and kept them out of the international public eye except in the amateur world. That has changed as Matchroom Boxing has shown interest.
Incidentally, Robertson has one loss and that was to another Aussie stalwart Shannon O’Connell a bantamweight.
More Fight News
Argentina
On Saturday July 9, super flyweights Daniela Molina (2-8-3) and Eliana Orecchia (2-4) meet six rounds at Buenos Aires.
Australia
Taylah Robertson (6-1) won by knockout in the 10th round over Yoselin Fernandez (11-2) on Saturday July 2. The super flyweight match took place at Broadbeach, Queensland.
Mai Soliman (1-0) defeated Ali Jensen (0-4) by majority decision after six rounds on Saturday July 2. The flyweight bout was held in Revesby. Also, bantamweights Rosario Marcial (0-1-1) and Sarah Watt (0-2-1) fought to a majority draw after six rounds.
Shannon O’Connell (23-6-1) knocked out Sarah Higginson (3-2-1) in the first round on Wednesday June 29. The bantamweight bout took place at Brisbane, Queensland. Also, Ella Boot (2-0) beat Stephanie Mfongwot (1-1) by decision after four rounds in a super middleweight fight.
Colombia
Shadasia Green (10-0) won by technical knockout in the third round over Celia Rosa Sierra (8-5) on Wednesday June 29. The super middleweight contest took place at Cienaga.
Dominican Republic
Dyana Vargas (15-0) won by unanimous decision after eight three-minute rounds against Johana Zuniga (16-3) on Saturday July 2. The featherweight match was held in La Vega.
France
Jeyssa Marcel (6-0) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Soledad Mercado (17-17-2) on Saturday July 2. The bantamweight regional title fight was held at Garges.
Emma Gongora (4-2) beat Donya Darouiche (2-4) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Saturday July 2. The lightweight bout took place in Marseille.
Wassila Lkhadiri (2-0) won by decision over Marijana Dasovic (0-15-1) after four rounds on Saturday July 2. The bantamweight fight was held at Algrange.
Hadria Bader (1-2-1) defeated Melanie Mercier (2-13-1) by split decision after eight round on Saturday July 2. The French light flyweight title fight took place at Poitiers.
Romane Geffray (3-4-1) won by unanimous decision after eight rounds versus Laela El Ksiri (2-2) on Thursday June 30. The French super bantamweight title match took place at Angers.
Germany
Delphine Mancini (5-0) was victorious by unanimous decision after 10 rounds against Michelle Klich (4-1) on Saturday July 2. The EBU bantamweight title fight took place at Bayern.
Italy
On Thursday July 7, lightweights Martina Righi (1-1) and Nicholane Scott (0-0) meet six rounds at Toscana. Also, flyweights Evilin Camporeale (1-0-1) and Ruqsana Begum (0-2-1) meet four rounds.
Japan
On Friday July 8, bantamweights Ai Sugimoto (3-3) and Tomomi Takano (12-5) meet six rounds at Tokyo.
Mexico
On Saturday July 9, super flyweights Czarina McCoy (8-1) and Basilia Mancilla (4-6-1) meet 10 rounds for the vacant ABF title at Colima.
New Zealand
Ayisha Abied (1-4) won by split decision after four rounds versus Tricia Mackenzie (0-1) on Saturday July 2. The featherweight fight was held at Opunake.
South Africa
On Friday July 8, super bantamweights Matchidiso Mokebisi (15-9-1) and Katie Healy (4-0) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Middleburg.
Spain
Alba Sanchez (1-0) won her pro debut by decision after five rounds versus Angelza Cannizzaro (6-14-1) on Saturday July 2. The super lightweight fight took place at Madrid.
Nelida Valcarcel (1-0) defeated Katherine Quintana (0-14-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday July 2. The welterweight bout took place at Mocejon.
On Saturday July 9, featherweights Sheila Martinez (2-3) and Eva Cantso (4-5-1) meet 10 rounds in Valencia.
Uganda
On Friday July 8, super bantamweights Mercy Acayo (1-2) and Salima Tibesigwa (0-0) meet 10 rounds at Kampala.
United Kingdom
Gemma Ruegg (4-4) defeated Kate Radomska (3-1) after eight rounds on Friday July 1. The super flyweight bout was held at Essex.
Stevi Levy (6-1) won by decision after six rounds against Marina Sakharov (5-15-2) on Friday July 1. The featherweight match took place at Yorkshire.
On Saturday July 9, super bantamweights Ramla Ali (5-0) and Augustina Belen (6-1) meet eight rounds at London, England.
USA
Mary Casamassa (2-0) won by technical knockout in the third round over LeAnn O’Malley (1-3) on Saturday July 2. The middleweight bout was held at Washington, Pennsylvania.
On Friday July 8, bantamweights Stefanie Cohen (2-0-1) and Devany Cuevas (1-0) meet four rounds at Miami, Florida. Also, bantamweights Fatima Dudieva (12-0) and Haley Pasion (2-2) meet four rounds.
Venezuela
Roxana Colmenarez (3-1-1) defeated Heidi Guariguan (0-1) by decision after six rounds on Wednesday June 29. The light flyweight match took place at Caracas.