Mexico’s Tania Enriquez Challenges Argentina’s Evelin Bermudez in Buenos Aires and More News
(Photo by Felipe Leon)
By David A. Avila
In the Americas, two nations Argentina and Mexico lead all countries in producing female prizefighters and this weekend two of their young warriors clash.
Former world titlist Evelin Bermudez (17-1-1, 6 Kos) seeks to reclaim the WBO and IBF light flyweight world titles, but standing in her way is Mexico’s Tania Enriquez (20-0, 9 Kos). They meet Friday March 10, at Estadio Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“She is a tough fighter with a hard right hand and experienced,” said Enriquez.
Both combatants have sisters that are former world champions and both are tall for the weight class at 108 pounds. They also prefer advancing forward like armored tanks with no reverse gear. Expect General Patton versus General Rommel.
Many fans are aware of Bermudez, whose older sister Daniela is a multi-division world titlist. Few are aware of Tania Enriquez.
Enriquez, 26, is the younger sister of Kenia who is a former world titlist and considered one of the most dangerous fighters below 118 pounds. Tania has flown under the radar for many years and after a brief sabbatical, re-embarked on targeting a world title.
The native of Tijuana has never fought outside of Mexico and was sidelined for awhile giving birth. Now she’s back and rampaged through Mexico battering her way to the top with her pressure style from a southpaw stance.
No one in Mexico was able to stop her.
Bermudez fought twice outside of Argentina with one resulting in a split draw in Mexico, and the other a majority loss in the USA. This is her first contest following a loss to Yokasta Valle which saw her lose both titles. But the Costa Rican decided to vacate the belts to pursue undisputed status in the minimumweight category.
Now, Bermudez and Enriquez will compete to see who emerges the victor. Both have aggressive approaches. It’s a bigger risk for Enriquez to walk in the prize ring undefeated in another country.
So why did she take this challenge?
“Because it is for world titles. It is something I have dreamed of since I began to box at 11 years old,” said Enriquez. “It’s a bonus because it is two world titles.”
Both fighters have the advantage of sparring against their world champion sisters. Both are also trained by their fathers.
Enriquez is mentored by her father Gustavo Enriquez. The father also trains his wife Sandra Robles a light flyweight contender who fought in Argentina against Yesica Bopp in 2018. They are familiar with fighting in Argentina.
Sister Kenia Enriquez has battled many rounds against her sister and believes Tania fully capable of victory.
“We knew this day would come sooner or late, her fighting for her first world title,” said Kenia. “I know she will come home to Tijuana as a world champion.”
Accompanying Tania in Buenos Aires is her father, who trained her, along with her manager and promoter.
“My dad said to give it my all and be confident in winning,” said Tania Enriquez. “And soon we will be world champion sisters.”
The Bermudez sisters have already accomplished the feat of world champion sisters. Will the Enriquez sisters be next?
WBO welterweight title match
England’s Sandy Ryan and Canada’s Marie Pier Houle will compete for the vacant WBO welterweight title on April 22, in Cardiff, Wales, announced Matchroom Boxing last week.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be challenging for a World Title in my next fight,” said Ryan, 29. “The level of opponents I’ve faced since my debut proved how serious I am about becoming a big star in this sport.”
Houle fights out of Quebec, and this will be her first attempt at any title and first time in a contest scheduled for 10 rounds.
“I have a lot of respect for Sandy Ryan and I’m aware that it will be a tough fight, but I thrive on challenges, and I have no intention of leaving empty-handed. I would like to thank my promoter, Groupe Yvon Michel, for his trust in me,” said Houle, 32.
The WBO vacated the title held by Jessica McCaskill who still has the remaining sanctioning titles the WBC, WBA and IBF titles.
Tanzania all women card
An all-women boxing card featuring super flyweights Stumai Muki (6-2) and Chimwemwe Banda (3-4) takes place on Saturday March 11, at Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Eight female bouts in total are expected to take place.
More Fight News
Argentina
Juliana Basualdo (10-2) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Julieta Cardozo (12-7) on Saturday March 4. The bantamweight title fight took place at Cordoba.
Melina Lujan (2-0) defeated Erika Yanina (0-2) by majority decision after four rounds on Friday March 3. The super bantamweight bout was held at Salta.
On Friday March 10, light flyweights Evelin Bermudez (17-1-1) and Mexico’s Tania Enriquez (20-0) collide 10 rounds at Buenos Aires for the IBF and WBO world titles.
On Saturday March 11, flyweights Ayelen Micaela Granadino (7-1-4) and Aixa Adema (5-9-5) meet 10 rounds for the Argentine title at Los Polvorines.
On Saturday March 11, super featherweights Maria Ferreyra (5-0) and Gisela Luna (2-6) meet six rounds at Merlo.
Australia
On Sunday March 12, featherweights Shanell Dargan (1-1-2) and Courtney Martin (1-0) meet four rounds at Sydney.
Belgium
On Saturday March 11, super welterweights Femke Hermans (14-4) and Katarina Vistica (2-23) meet eight rounds at Hainaut.
Colombia
Bexcy Mateus (2-0) knocked out Angie Barcas (2-17) in the first round on Saturday March 4. The super lightweight bout took place at Bogota.
On Sunday March 12, super flyweights Darianis Garcia (3-2) and Kimberlin Reina (3-8) meet six rounds at El Bagre.
Denmark
Sarah Mahfoud (12-1) defeated Lara Ochmann (9-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday March 4. The featherweight title fight was held at Albertslund.
France
Eva Cantos (5-13-1) defeated Sabrina Flamand (1-4-1) by majority decision after six rounds on Saturday March 4. The super bantamweight bout took place at Caen.
Lauryne Brankaer (2-0) won by knockout over Audrey Chibani (0-1) in the second round on Saturday March 4. The bantamweight fight was held at Vierzon.
Melina Ainaoui (2-1) beat Tekle Begiashvili (0-5) by knockout in the second round on Saturday March 4. The super bantamweight fight was held at Chateaubriant.
Odelia Ben Ephraim (4-2) won by unanimous decision over Tijana Drascovic (1-6) after six rounds on Friday March 3. The super featherweight fight took place at Blagnac.
On Saturday March 11, welterweights Lauren Price (2-0) and Naomi Mannes (6-1) meet six rounds at Paris.
Germany
On Saturday March 11, featherweights Sarah Liegmann (6-0) and Diana Kulinova (4-5) meet 10 rounds at Cologne. Also, super welterweights Farina Roemling (1-0) and Sonia Klos (1-7) meet six rounds.
New Zealand
Holly McMath (2-3) defeated Lorraine Robson (0-1) by unanimous decision after four rounds on Friday March 3. The super flyweight fight took place at Auckland.
On Friday March 10, heavyweights Lani Daniels (6-2-2) and Sequita Hemingway (1-2) meet six rounds at Auckland for an Australian title.
South Africa
On Sunday March 12, lightweights Bonita Van Jaarsveld (5-5-2) and Mitchell Mubaya (0-3-1) meet six rounds at Hammanskraal.
Sweden
On Saturday March 11, welterweights Michaela Kotaskova (2-0-2) and Immacolata Mancusi (0-1) meet six rounds at Baden.
Switzerland
Ioana Fecioru (4-0) defeated Anais Kistler (2-2) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Thursday March 2. The welterweight fight took place at Carouge.
Tanzania
On Saturday March 11, super flyweights Stumai Muki (6-2) and Chimwemwe Banda (3-4) meet 10 rounds at Dar es Salaam. The all women card features eight bouts. Welterweights Grace Mwakamele (7-4) and Joyce Awino (8-8-2) meet 10 rounds; lightweights Happy Daudi (12-12-1) and Najma Isike (2-2) meet eight rounds; Nasra Msami (2-0) and Felista Modesto (1-0) meet four rounds; super bantamweights Zawadi Kutaka (2-1-1) and Mphatso Metaudzu (1-0) meet six rounds; Halima Bandola (1-3-1) and Asia Meshack (1-0) meet four rounds; Sadra Mohamed (0-3) and Warda Selemani (0-0) meet four rounds; and super middleweights Leila Yusuph (0-0) and Mariana Msabila (0-0) meet four rounds.
Thailand
Anahit Aroyan (8-1) knocked out Rungnapha Kaewkrachang (14-18-1) in the fourth round on Friday March 3. The super flyweight title fight took place at Bangkok. Also, atomweight Roma Yousaf (5-0-1) won by majority decision over Panidda Pachai (0-4) after four rounds.
Pattarawan Thaosuwan (8-1) defeated Preeyaphon Sutthawong (0-2) after six rounds on Tuesday Feb. 28. The featherweight fight took place at Pathum Thani. Featherweight Thanchanok Phanan (15-5) beat Jaruwan Sosannoy (0-2) by knockout in the first round; Minimumweight Sothita Sittichai (7-2) defeated Sudarat Pengjan (0-1) by decision after six; and flyweight Saowaluk Nareepangsri (15-21) knocked out Chawala Wangarsa (0-3) in the second round.
United Kingdom
Charlotte Powell (2-0-1) beat Bec Connolly (3-18) by decision after six rounds on Saturday March 4. The featherweight fight was held at Liverpool, England.
Ester Konecna (3-20-1) knocked out Hannah Jones (0-2) in the fourth round on Saturday March 4. The super welterweight bout took place at Nottingham, England.
On Friday March 10, featherweights Elizabeth Oshoba (3-0) and Kirsty Hill (3-0) meet six rounds at Gloucester, England.
On Friday March 10, welterweights Kirstie Bavington (7-2-2) and Kandi Wyatt (10-4) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Wolverhampton.
On Saturday March 11, super featherweights Lianne Bush (3-1) and Beccy Ferguson (2-9) meet six rounds at Leicester, England.
On Saturday March 11, lightweights Rhiannon Dixon (7-0) and Vicky Wilkinson (5-0-1) meet 10 rounds at Liverpool, England.
USA
Kaitlin LaVigne (2-2) knocked out Jina Bynum (0-1) in the first round on Friday March 3. The super middleweight fight took place at Kansas City.
On Friday March 10, bantamweights Mikenna Tansley 6-2) and Amy Salinas (4-3) meet eight rounds at Bethlehem, Pa.
On Saturday March 11, super lightweights Liz Humphries (0-1-1) and Sarah Click (0-2-1) meet four rounds at Springfield, Mass.
On Saturday March 11, flyweights LeAnna Cruz (3-0) and Devany Cuevas (2-2-1) meet six rounds at Philadelphia. Also, welterweights Oshae Jones (1-0) and Daihana Santana (40-14) meet six rounds.
On Saturday March 11, bantamweights Jamie McGrath (3-0) and Rebecca Light (1-9) meet six rounds at Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Venezuela
Debora Rengifo (19-10-1) knocked out Rosalinda Marquez (1-9) in the first round on Friday March 3. The flyweight fight took place at Maracaibo.
Roxana Colmenarez (7-1-1) knocked out Yolimar Moreno (0-3) in the second round on Monday Feb. 27. The light flyweight bout took place at Caracas.