Amanda Serrano and Company Hit Manhattan and More News

 

By David A. Avila

(Photo by Lewis Ward/Matchroom Boxing)

It may be cold in Manhattan, but life is about to heat up with a pair of undisputed world championships in the fire and several more top contenders battling for recognition this weekend.

Few can debate that Brooklyn-based Amanda “the Real Deal” Serrano sits at the top of the list when it comes to the most exciting fighter today. On Saturday Feb. 4, she will be joined in battle against Mexico’s Erika Cruz for undisputed featherweight world championship at Madison Square Garden in New York City. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card.

Also on the same card, Alycia Baumgardner meets France’s Elhem Mekhaled for the undisputed super featherweight world championship. Every female match on this card is slated for 10 rounds.

Ten Months ago, Serrano was involved in the biggest female clash in history when she met Katie Taylor for the undisputed lightweight championship. Also on that same card in April 2022, Franchon Crews-Dezurn fought Elin Cederroos for the undisputed super middleweight championship.

Can this fight card equal or surpass that record-breaking card at the same venue?

Serrano, the WBO, WBC, IBO, IBF titlist, was also on that historic card a year ago and returns to face WBA titlist Cruz of Mexico who vaulted to recognition with a pair of internationally viewed victories over Canada’s Jelena Mrdjenovich.

Both waited for more than two years for this meeting.

Serrano is also excited to be joined on this list of talent including super featherweight champion Baumgardner.

“I am a fan of great fighters and the card is stacked with that,” said Serrano to the Prizefighters.com. “Alycia Baumgardner is an amazing fighter.”

Baumgardner (13-1, 7 Kos), who has the WBC, WBO, IBF, and IBO titles will be facing Mekhaled for the vacant WBA version which was stripped from Hyun Mi Choi for not defending it.

Most Americans do not know Mekhaled (15-1, 3 Kos) but her only loss was in her last fight against Delfine Persoon. No shame in losing to a fighter that talented. But she has height and a semblance of power. Will that be enough to contend with Baumgardner?

In Baumgardner’s last fight, she also faced a taller fighter in Mikaela Mayer that saw both fighters engage in an intriguing battle that swung one way then the other. Baumgardner added the WBO and IBF titles to her collection and now seeks to own all of them.

Baumgardner is a counter puncher who sits and waits to catch foes with her powerful right cross. It’s what enabled her to knock out Terri Harper for the WBC title almost two years ago. Her only flaw is waiting too long for the counter and allowing a busier fighter to jump in front.

But she does have one-punch power and that’s a tremendous equalizer.

 

Super bantams

England’s Ramla Ali (7-0, 2 Kos) faces Australia’s Avril Mathie (8-0-1, 3 Kos) in a contest between two very tall super bantamweights.

Ali, 33, has been training in Los Angeles for about two years now and learning the pro style bit by bit under famed tutor Manny Robles. Each fight Ali seems to learn the more subtle movements of pro fighting after years of amateur style. It’s led to utilizing her height to leverage and power.

Mathie, 35, is the same height as Ali and has trained in Miami for several years. She’s had the same type of competition and with similar results. Her height and strength at 122 pounds give her an advantage against most opposition. But against Ali, who will be able to take charge. On paper it seems a toss-up fight.

 

Featherweights

Spain’s Tania Alvarez (7-0, 1 KO) is only 21 years old and is youngest of the female participants on this card. She has a pressure style that she told reporters is part Mike Tyson and part Kiko Martinez, a Spanish compatriot.

Alvarez has good height and seems strong. She also has been taught how to punch in-between incoming fire. Alvarez will need it against speedy Nicolson.

Australia’s Skye Nicolson, 27, is the second youngest and has a very strong amateur background. The southpaw with fast feet and fast hands opened her pro debut a year ago flashing an all-amateur style of run and hit. It was not a very pleasing style.

Since her debut Nicolson has added pro elements including a more stand and fight style. With her abundance of amateur experience she quickly has become a more entertaining fighter and on the fast-track with promoter Eddie Hearn’s backing. She could dominate on several weight divisions. But first a solid test against Alvarez.

 

Super middleweights

America’s Shadasia Green (11-0, 10 Kos) battles ex-champ Elin Cederroos (8-1, 4 Kos) for a regional title.

Green, 33, has a solid amateur background and since entering the professional ranks has been stirring up conversations everywhere she goes. Whispers and murmurs of her prodigious power have emanated from gyms where she put on displays by dropping sparring partners. Only one foe has survived to hear the final bell.

Cederroos, 38, last fought in the same venue against current undisputed world champion Fanchon Crews-Dezurn. It was a valiant effort but she was out-gunned against Crews. It was Cederroos first loss. Can she handle Green’s power?

Every female fight is well-matched and guaranteed to be worth watching.

“it’s a blessing to share this card with this many talented fighters,” said Serrano.

Don’t miss this card if you follow women’s boxing.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Jennifer Meza (7-3) defeated Johana Zuniga (16-5) by technical knockout in the fourth round on Saturday Jan. 28. The minimumweight regional title match was held in Galvez.

On Saturday Feb. 4, super featherweights Daniela Bermudez (29-4-3) meets Lilian Silva (4-15-1) for eight rounds at Desvio Arijon.

 

Belgium

On Saturday Feb. 4, super lightweights Oshin Deriuew (18-0) and Francia Bravo (23-5-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at West Vlaanderen.

 

Canada

Melinda Watpool (2-0) stopped Sofia Cervantes (0-2) in the first round on Saturday Jan. 28. The middleweight fight took place at Pickering.

 

France

Mailys Gangloff (8-3) beat Bethy Franco (6-4-1) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday Jan. 28. The super flyweight bout took place at Aix Les Bains.

Lauryne Brankaer (1-0) defeated Sara Lahaye (2-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Jan. 28. The bantamweight match was held at Rennes.

On Saturday Feb. 4, featherweights Anaelle Angerville (4-1-1) and Odelia Ben Ephraim (3-1) meet eight rounds at Lormont.

On Saturday Feb. 4, super welterweights Priscilla Peterle (6-0) and Patricia Gonzalez (0-2-1) meet six rounds at Saint Pol sur Mer.

 

Germany

On Saturday Feb. 4, super flyweights Nina Radovanovic (14-4) and Sabine Hempel (0-3) meet six rounds at Wangen im Allgaeu.

 

Italy

On Sunday Feb. 5, featherweights Michela Braga (3-0) and Veronica Tosi (4-0) meet 10 rounds for the Italian title at Liguria.

 

Japan

Ayaka Yoshida (1-0) beat Akane Kuroda (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Sunday Jan. 29. The light flyweight bout took place at Kyoto. Also, bantamweight Kaho Munetoshi (1-0) knocked out Miea Tanaka (0-1) in the first round.

Hamburg Hiroko (2-2) won by majority decision after four rounds versus Emily Abe (1-3) on Friday Jan. 27. The atomweight fight was held at Tokyo. Also, super flyweight Moeko Okada (2-1) beat Moeko Amo (1-2) by decision.

 

Mexico

Emily Lopez (1-0) defeated Maria Del Angel Diaz (4-3) by knockout in the fourth round on Friday Jan. 27. The featherweight bout was held in Tijuana.

 

Russia

On Saturday Feb. 4, super bantamweights Karina Tazabekova (1-0) and Makhliyo Khabibullaeva (1-0) meet six rounds at Serpukhov.

 

Spain

Karla Merida (5-1-1) won by majority decision after eight rounds versus Marian Herreria (3-2) on Saturday Jan. 28. The super bantamweight fight took place at Barcelona.

 

Thailand

Pattawaran Thaosuwan (7-1) knocked out Kullasatree Nualsomsri (0-1) in the third round on Sunday Jan. 29. The featherweight fight was held at Pathum Thani. Also, minimumweight Pimchanok Thepjanda (3-1) beat Jiraporn Chompuwiset (0-3) by decision;  super flyweight Arisara Wisetwongsa (2-3) knocked out Patthamaphorn Chiamchanyong (0-1) in the second round.

Phannaluk Kongsang (11-11-1) beat Saowaluk Nareepangsri (14-21) by decision after six rounds on Wednesday Jan. 25. The flyweight bout was held in Bangkok.

 

Uganda

On Friday Feb. 3, bantamweights Salimat Tibesigwa (3-2) and Rachael Musubika (0-2) meet six rounds at Kampala.

 

USA

Alicia Pike (1-0-1) and River Tucker (0-1-1) fought to a split draw after four rounds on Saturday Jan. 28. The super bantamweight fight took place at Lowell, Mass.

Gloria Munguilla (2-0) beat JoAnna Espinosa (0-2) by decision after four rounds on Friday Jan. 27. The super flyweight fight took place in Montebello, Calif.

Shayna Foppiano (6-0-1) knocked out Sarah Click (0-2-1) in the third round on Friday Jan. 27. The super lightweight bout was held at Windham, New Hampshire.

On Saturday Feb. 4, featherweights Amanda Serrano (43-2-1) and Erika Cruz (15-1) meet 10 rounds for the undisputed world championship at New York City. Also, super featherweights Alycia Baumgardner (13-1) and Elhem Mekhaled (15-1) meet 10 rounds for the world championship. Plus, featherweights Ramla Ali (7-0) and Avril Mathie (8-0-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title; featherweights Skye Nicolson (5-0) and Tania Alvarez (7-0) meet 10 rounds for a regional title; and super middleweights Shadasia Green (11-0) and Elin Cederroos (8-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title. DAZN will stream the fights.

On Saturday Feb. 4, bantamweights Rianna Rios (5-0) and Brittany Sims (2-2) meet six rounds at Fort Washington, Maryland.