Arely Mucino, Katie Taylor, Super Lightweight Clash in Desert and More News

 

By David A. Avila

(Photo by Al Applerose)

SAN DIEGO, Ca.-Despite an early clash of heads Arely “Machine Gun” Mucino battled through an enormous swelling alongside her eye to dethrone Argentina’s Leonela Yudica and win the IBF flyweight title by split decision.

Mucino (32-3-2, 11 Kos) started quickly against the taller Yudica (18-1-3, 1 KO) at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California on the Golden Boy Promotions card on Saturday Oct. 29.

A number of flyweight contenders and champions were in attendance such as Sulem Urbina, Yokasta Valle and WBA and WBC titlist Marlen Esparza.

A fast-starting Mucino aggressively advanced forward against the counter-punching Yudica. The moments she targeted the body the two fighters clashed heads. A small bump appeared quickly on the surface of Mucino about the size of a silver dollar. Each round it grew bigger and bigger.

Yudica’s counter-punching style didn’t find success until around the fourth round as Mucino slipped under the Argentine’s combinations. The Mexican fighter’s defense was sharp early in the fight. She spent many months training with Joel and Antonio Diaz in Indio, California. They also train world champions Dmitriy Bivol, Murodjon Akhmadaliev and many other contenders.

Most of Mucino’s career was spent under her father’s tutelage. But he died over a year ago, so she now works with the Diaz brothers.

The second half of the fight saw Yudica get more aggressive with her combinations and score more, especially with the right cross. It was a matter of trying to catch up to Mucino who built an early lead. A knockdown would have helped the Argentine fighter catch up but with only one knockout on her resume, it was not going to happen, especially against Mucino who has spent most of her career battling against tough hard-hitting Mexicans.

Yudica rallied furiously in the last two rounds and came close to scoring a knockdown, but Mucino proved too tough and too experienced. She used feints and slide steps to maneuver away from the firing zone. After 10 rounds Mucino’s eye was swollen grotesquely from the bump caused by numerous clashes of heads and further worsened by Yudica’s punches.

One judge saw Yudica the winner 96-94, while the two others favored Mucino 96-94 and 97-93 who becomes the new IBF world titlist. Mucino finally had regained a world title since losing the WBO flyweight title three years ago to Yairineth Altuve by unanimous decision.

“I dedicate this fight to my father,” said Muciño, 33. “This belt belongs to him. I am just so happy and I can’t believe it. This fight was six-months in the making. We were scheduled to fight earlier, but she claimed to have an injury. However, that time allowed us to put the perfect team together.”

Sitting in the audience showing no emotion was Marlen Esparza who could be facing Mucino next in a unification match. Also, waiting in the wings is Kenia Enriquez who lives 20 minutes away in Tijuana, Mexico. She is ranked number one flyweight by almost all sanctioning organizations. The night before she knocked out Nora Cardoza in two rounds.

It was Arely Mucino’s night and now she’s claimed her ticket to the flyweight ball.

“What’s next I leave to my promoters. I have trusted them thus far, and know they will have the best interests in mind,” said Mucino. “Right now, I am going to celebrate this victory with my team and my family.”

 

Return of Katie Taylor

Certain prizefighters such as Katie Taylor, as a fan, you wish she could fight every other week.

Taylor brings that excitement every time she enters an arena. Women’s boxing has elevated to historic levels ever since she entered the fight game. Last Saturday, she put on another display in showing fans the difference between a champion and a legend.

Carabajal entered undefeated and had a size and reach advantage against Ireland’s Taylor. That wasn’t enough to offset the speed and growing skill set of Taylor who showed off a double left hook with power that connected loudly in the eighth round. It was another impressive performance for the undisputed lightweight world champion.

“I thought I boxed smart,” said Taylor. “She was an awkward fighter.”

It was six months ago that Taylor traded blows with the great Amanda Serrano and both lit up Madison Square Garden with their ferocity and determination. After that clash, can any mere world title fight match that event?

Promoter Eddie Hearn immediately answered that question after the fight by proposing that Taylor’s next fight must be in Ireland and against Serrano.

“It would be the biggest fight in women’s history,” Taylor said.

 

Clash of Champions in Abu Dhabi

Undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill (12-2, 5 Kos) drops down to her former weight class at 140 pounds to face current undefeated super lightweight titlist Chantelle Cameron (16-0, 8 Kos) on Saturday Nov. 5, at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. DAZN will stream the Matchroom card that also feature two other men’s world title bouts.

The winner will be undisputed super lightweight world champion.

McCaskill, 38, who fights out of Chicago, seems to get better and better. She had a limited amateur background but has caught up as a professional. During the past four years all of her fights have been for world titles or in defense of world titles. After losing to Katie Taylor she’s knocked off Erica Farias, Cecilia Braekhus and pursued only big matches. She is currently the undisputed welterweight world champion.

Cameron, 31, fights out of Northampton, England and has steamrolled through a variety of international competition as befits her background. She had an extensive amateur boxing experience that includes contests against Katie Taylor, Estelle Mossely and Patricia Berghult. She can fight on the outside or inside and has improved every fight.

It’s an interesting match with the winner getting undisputed championship status in the super lightweight division and also a possible bout with Katie Taylor.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Clara Lescurat (8-0) defeated Naylea Gil Sanabria (11-5-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Friday Oct. 28. The WBA super flyweight world title fight took place at Buenos Aires.

On Friday Nov. 4, light flyweights Maria Sol Baumstarh (5-6-1) and Camilla Avaca (2-2-2) meet 10 rounds for the South American title at Buenos Aires.

 

Australia

On Saturday Nov. 5, super flyweights Taylah Robertson (6-1) and Chaoz Minowa (7-3) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Fortitude Valley.

 

Belgium

On Tuesday Nov. 1, lightweights Amy Naert (6-1) and Ivanka Ivanova (5-19-3) meet 10 rounds at West Vlaanderen for a regional title.

 

Canada

Tania Walters (4-1) defeated Mikenna Tansley (5-2) by split decision after eight rounds on Sunday Oct. 30. The Canadian bantamweight title fight was held in Richmond Hill.

On Friday Nov. 4, welterweights Jennifer Williams (0-0) and Karla Soria (1-0) meet four rounds at Brantford.

 

Colombia

Calista Silgado (21-16-3) knocked out Daila Vasquez (0-3) in the fourth round on Saturday Oct. 29. The featherweight bout was held at Santiago de Tolu.

Jennifer Morales (2-3) defeated Kimberly Segovia (0-3) by knockout in the third round on Friday Oct. 28. The light flyweight match took place at Tolima.

Angie Rocha (12-3-3) won by unanimous decision after eight rounds versus Lorena Carrillo (2-5-1) on Friday Oct. 28. The middleweight fight took place at Santa Marta.

On Saturday Nov. 5, super flyweights Paola Rincon (5-0) and Mirleydis Hoyos (1-10-1) meet eight rounds at Medellin.

On Sunday Nov. 6, super flyweights Olga Julio (36-18-2) and Yoselin Fernandez (11-2) meet 10 rounds at Cartagena.

 

France

On Saturday Nov. 5, bantamweights Lydie Balic (1-1) and Sheila Garcia (0-1) meet six rounds at Auch.

 

Germany

Eva Hubmayer (5-2) won by technical knockout in the third round against Sabine Hempel (0-3) on Sunday Oct. 30. The super featherweight fight was held at Euskirchen.

On Saturday Nov. 5, super featherweights Lucie Sedlackova (15-1-1) and Elif Nur Turhan (2-0) meet six rounds at Oberhausen.

 

India

On Monday Oct. 31, bantamweights Rekha (2-0) and Manisha Satbir (0-0) meet four rounds at Buana Lakhu. Also, Jyoti Shamsher (0-1) and Simran Kaur (0-2) meet four rounds. Also, flyweights Shalinee (1-0) and Teen Panchal (0-0) meet four rounds.

 

Italy

Simona Salvatori (8-0) defeated Bethy Franco (6-1-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Oct. 29. The bantamweight title fight took place at Marino. Also, Giorgia Scolastri (3-1) beat Evelin Camporeale (1-2-1) by decision after six rounds in a light flyweight bout.

Stephanie Silva (7-0) defeated Ewelina Pekalska (6-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Friday Oct. 28. The EBU super flyweight title fight took place at Rome.

 

Japan

Aori Matsuo (3-0) won by technical knockout over Ako Nakamura (0-1) in the second round on Sunday Oct. 30. The atomweight fight took place at Nakatsu.

On Wednesday Nov. 2, featherweights Federia Boni (1-0-2) and Nodoka Furukawa (0-0) meet four rounds at Tokyo. Also, atomweights Mizuki Matsuoka (0-4-1) and Sawako Fukuhara (0-3) meet four rounds.

 

Mexico

Yamileth Mercado (20-3) beat Mariana Juarez by unanimous decision on Saturday Oct. 29. The WBC super bantamweight world title fight was held at Mexico City.

On Friday Nov. 4, light flyweights Estefany Alegria (6-0) and Luz Aguilar (7-6-2) meet 10 rounds at Guadalajara.

On Friday Nov. 4, light flyweights Crisna Alvarez (4-0-1) and Jessica Cabrera (1-1) meet six rounds at Tijuana.

On Sat. Nov. 5, middleweights Cynthia Lozano (9-2) and Silvia Zuniga (7-23) meet eight rounds at Monterrey.

On Sat. Nov. 5, super lightweights Gabriela Rico Ponce (0-0) and Jusim Godinez (0-0) meet four rounds at Queretaro.

 

Poland

Laura Grzyb (8-0) defeated Marian Herreria (3-1) by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Saturday Oct. 29. The super bantamweight bout was held at Zakopane.

 

South Africa

Monica Mkandla (4-0) beat Sazisiwe Simon (2-2)  by decision after four rounds on Friday Oct. 28. The bantamweight bout took place at Johannesburg.

 

Spain

Ioana Fecioru (2-0) knocked out Katherine Quintana (0-17-1) in the third round on Saturday Oct. 29. The super lightweight bout took place at San Vicente de Raspeig.

 

Tanzania

On Friday Nov. 4, flyweights Sarafina Bela (5-5-1) and Sara Alex (1-0) meet six rounds at Dar Es Salaam.

 

Thailand

Chisakan Arophipat (17-1-1) won by knockout over Wisuta Sririttidet (0-1) in the third round on Sunday Oct. 30. The super flyweight bout was held at Pathum Thani. Also, minimumweight Cecile Cortez (7-0) beat Natcha Kaeokalong (0-0) by decision after four rounds.

Phannaluk Kongsang (10-10-1) knocked out Toshihiko Era (7-2) in the second round on Wednesday Oct. 26. The flyweight fight took place at Bangkok.

 

United Arab Emirates

On Saturday Nov. 5, super lightweights Chantelle Cameron (16-0) and Jessica McCaskill (12-2) meet 10 rounds for the undisputed world championship at Abu Dhabi.

 

United Kingdom

Katie Taylor (22-0) dominated Karen Carabajal (19-1) to win by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Oct. 29. The undisputed lightweight world championship fight took place in London. Also, Ellie Scotney (6-0) beat Mary Romero (8-3) after 10 rounds to win the regional super bantamweight title.

Linn Sandstrom (7-2-1) beat Sara Marjanovic (9-11) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Oct. 29. The super flyweight title fight took place in London. Also, Harli Whitwell (1-0) beat Bojana Libiszewska (7-50) by knockout in the second round of a super lightweight fight.

Cassidy Todd (2-0) won by decision versus Wendellin Cruz (5-2-1) after six rounds on Friday Oct. 28. The super bantamweight fight took place at Renfrew, Scotland.

Nicola Hopewell (2-0) beat Buchra El Quassi (3-4-3) by decision after six rounds on Friday Oct. 28. The super flyweight bout took place at Doncaster, England. Also, Stevi Levy (7-1) beat Beccy Ferguson (2-7) by decision after six rounds in a lightweight fight.

On Saturday Nov. 5, light flyweights Kate Radomska (3-1) and Ivette Garcia (0-2) meet six rounds in London. Also, super welterweights Hannah Baggaley (1-1) and Patricia Gonzalez (0-2-1) meet four rounds.

 

USA

Arely Mucino (32-3-2) defeated Leonela Yudica (18-1-3) by split decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Oct. 29. The IBF flyweight world title fight took place in San Diego, California.

Shadasia Green (11-0) won by knockout over Ogleidis Suarez (30-5-1) in the fifth round on Saturday Oct. 29. The light heavyweight fight took place in Phoenix, Arizona.

Alicia Pike (1-0) beat Karen Dullin (5-25-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Oct. 29. The super bantamweight bout was held in Lowell, Mass.

Colleen Davis (1-0-1) and Clarice Morales (0-0-2) fought to a draw after four rounds on Saturday Oct. 29. The super featherweight fight was held at Meadows, Washington.

On Thursday Nov. 3, super flyweights Gloria Munguilla (0-0) and JoAnna Espinoza (0-0) meet four rounds at Montebello, Calif.