World Title Fights from Japan to England and More News
By David A. Avila
In less than two weeks the super stars of women’s boxing clash with Claressa Shields, Savannah Marshall, Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner involved in unification bouts that will change the boxing landscape.
But before those fights, a few others taking place this week.
Tokyo calling
An all-women’s card takes place on Thursday Sept. 1, featuring many top Japanese fighters from atomweight (102 pounds) to flyweight (112 pounds) with two world title fights among them.
Japanese boxing is one of the biggest secrets in the sport. The women are furious fighters and never give an inch. The two co-main events feature WBO atomweight titlist Nanae Suzuki defending against Yuko Kuroki at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Also, IBF atomweight titlist Ayaka Miyao defends against Mika Iwakawa.
Several other worthy fights are taking place with many of Japan’s best fighters participating on this card.
Recently, American audiences finally got a glimpse at the quality of Japanese boxers when Naoko Fujioka the five-division world titlist and Tsunami Tenkai engaged American fighters in Los Angeles and San Antonio, Texas. Too bad this card will not be televised outside of Japan.
Mexico
In Mexico, a rematch between current WBC featherweight titlist Erika Cruz and former champion Jelena Mrdjenovich takes place on Saturday Sept. 3, in Hermosillo, Mexico. DAZN will stream the world title clash.
Cruz (14-1) uses her southpaw stance in an aggressive style and in their first encounter seemed to catch Canada’s Mrdjenovich (41-11-2) by surprise. It was a one-sided bloody affair that saw Mexico’s Cruz emerge victorious at West Point Military Academy in New York.
Mrdjenovich, 40, is a veteran and has rematches in the past that showed she can make changes and adapt to whatever is necessary. But in their first encounter she seemed much slower than in the past. Age is a major factor.
Whoever wins could possibly face the winner between featherweight queen Amanda Serrano who fights Sarah Mahfoud in Manchester, England in late September. Undisputed status at last can be attained if all remains on track.
England
After a dramatic weight jump, WBO super welterweight titlist Natasha Jonas (11-2-1) attempts to unify the division when she meets WBC titlist Patricia Berghult (15-0) on Saturday Sept. 3, in Liverpool, England.
It was a surprise to many when Jonas first moved up from 130 pounds all the way to 154-pound limit to fight then champion Chris Namus for the WBO title back in February. It was a brave move, but the Olympian was confident in her skills and proved more than capable of advancing to the heavier weight class.
Now, Jonas meets undefeated Berghult of Sweden who won the vacant WBC title when Claressa Shields vacated the division. It should be an intriguing match.
Big Showdowns
In just 11 days or less Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall clash in a battle of middleweight champions and Alycia Baumgardner and Mikaela Mayer meet in their super featherweight war. They will be joined by at least six other female bouts on Saturday Sept. 10, in London, England. ESPN will televise for American audiences.
Don’t miss this epic boxing card. Mark it down on your calendar.
On Sept. 8, two days before the London clash, in Costa Rica, the minimumweight champions collide.
IBF titlist Yokasta Valle (25-2) meets Vietnam’s Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen (5-0) who holds the WBO title on Thursday Sept. 8. DAZN will stream the title fight live.
Aussie News
IBF bantamweight titlist Ebanie Bridges (8-1) was ordered by the IBF organization to defend against fellow Aussie Shannon O’Connell (23-6-1). No date has been set.
Bridges, 35, has erupted into worldwide recognition since signed by Matchroom Boxing. Her fights have become major attractions in the United Kingdom and are viewed worldwide. Since fighting on Matchroom cards she’s battled Shannon Courtenay, Bec Connolly, Mailys Gangloff and Maria Cecilia Roman who she beat for the title.
O’Connell, 39, has been fighting since 2011 in Australia. Bridges began in 2019.
More Fight News
Argentina
Carla Merino (9-2) knocked out Axel Peralta (9-4-1) in the ninth round on Friday Aug. 26. The South American super lightweight title fight was held at Oncativo.
On Saturday Sept. 3, super bantamweights Juliana Basualdo (8-2) and Maria Mazzarello (3-1) meet eight rounds at Buenos Aires.
Australia
On Friday Sept. 2, light flyweights Sarah Higginson (3-2-1) and Charimae Salvador (5-4) meet eight rounds for a regional title at Northbridge. Also,
On Friday Sept. 2, flyweights Mai Soliman (1-0) and Bec Moss (0-2) fight six rounds for a title; and super flyweights Rosario Marcial (0-1-1) and Sarah Watt (0-2-1) meet six rounds for a title at Revesby.
On Saturday Sept. 3, featherweights Rebecca Hawker (5-0) and Hollie Towl (0-0) meet 10 rounds for the WIBA title at Eatons Hill.
Colombia
Ingrid Caicedo (4-0) defeated Kimberly Segovia (0-2) by split decision after four rounds on Saturday Aug. 27. The super flyweight bout took place at Risaralda. Also, Dayana Reinoso (2-0-1) beat Carolina Mejia (0-1) by decision and Mayerly Meneses (1-0) beat Diana Cotrino (0-2) by decision in featherweight fights. Plus, Bethy Franco (2-0-1) beat Jeimi Claros (0-1) by decision in a super bantamweight match.
Germany
On Saturday Sept. 3, featherweights Lara Ochmann (8-1) and Karina Szmalenburg (14-52-4) meet eight rounds at Schonebeck.
Japan
On Thursday Sept. 1, all women card is headed by atomweights Ayaka Miyao (25-9-2) and Mika Iwakawa (10-6-1) meeting 10 rounds for the IBF world title at Tokyo. Also, atomweights Nanaeu Suzuki (11-4-1) and Yuko Kuroki 19-7-2) meet 10 rounds for WBO world title; atomweights Eri Matsuda (4-1-1) and Kaori Nagai (6-4-3) meet eight rounds; atomweights Honoka Kano (4-0-2) and Sumire Yamanaka (5-0) meet eight rounds; flyweights Mizuki Hiruta (2-0) and Hinami Yanai (2-0) meet six rounds for the Japanese title; minimumweights Kanae Maehara (2-0) and Nao Ugawa (1-0) meet four rounds; flyweights Yuki Fuke (0-0) and Moeko Okada (1-0) meet four rounds and atomweights Reiko Mori (1-1) and Emily Abe (0-2) meet four rounds.
On Saturday Sept. 3, atomweights Noa Sakamoto (1-0) and Ayumi Tanaka (0-2) meet four rounds at Osaka.
Mexico
On Saturday Sept. 3, featherweights Erika Cruz (14-1) and Jelena Mrdjenovich (41-11-2) meet 10 rounds at Hermosillo in a rematch for the WBC world title. DAZN will stream.
New Zealand
Nailini Helu (3-4-1) won by majority decision after eight rounds versus Tinta Smith (0-2) on Friday Aug. 26. The super middleweight fight was held in Auckland.
South Africa
Ellen Simwaka (11-5-2) defeated Lina Kasweka (6-1) by split decision after 10 rounds on Thursday Aug. 25. The bantamweight title fight was held at Johannesburg. Also, Simangele Hadebe (12-3-2) beat Stumai Muki (6-2) by fourth round knockout for African flyweight title; Matchidiso Mokebisi (16-10-1) knocked out Patience Mastara (5-8-4) in seventh round of a featherweight bout; Sazisiwe Simon (2-0) beat Adidya Mimu (1-1) and Ishmaeel Kadri (3-0) beat Luvo Xhomfo (0-3-1) in featherweight fights; plus Monica Khandla (2-0) defeated Nomusa Ngema (1-1) by majority decision in a bantamweight match and super bantamweights Nosiacwase Dube (0-3-3) and Lufuno Mutshayi (1-6-2) fought to a draw after six rounds.
Thailand
Chisakan Ariphipat (16-1-1) defeated Sasitorn Phanthed (0-2) by decision after six rounds on Sunday Aug. 28. The super flyweight match was held at Pathum Thani. Also, Suwanun Antanai (4-7) stopped Narintorn Meetone (0-2) in the third round of a super featherweight bout; and Saowaluk Nareepangsri (11-19) stopped Manatsawee Srithongkham (1-6) in the fourth round of a super flyweight fight. Plus, Pattarawan Thaosuwan (4-0) beat Pimchanok Thepjanda (0-1) by decision in a featherweight bout.
On Saturday Sept. 3, super flyweights Phumarin Yoohanngoh (0-1-1) and Mariana Scombatti (1-0-1) meet six rounds at Bangkok.
United Kingdom
Nicola Hopewell (1-0) won by knockout over Claudia Ferenczi (20-97-8) in the sixth round on Friday Aug. 26. The super bantamweight match was held at Sheffield, England.
On Friday Sept. 2, super featherweights Kristine Shergold (7-6) and Vicky Wilkinson (4-0) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Torquay.
On Saturday Sept. 3, super welterweights Natasha Jonas (11-2-1) and Patricia Berghult (15-0) meet 10 rounds for the WBC and WBO world titles at Liverpool, England.
Venezuela
Roxana Colmenarez (4-1-1) knocked out Emilver Santamaria (0-1) in the second round on Friday Aug. 26. The light flyweight bout was held at Catia.
(Photo by Gambyl)