Beautiful Brawlers International Two-Day All Female Amateur Boxing Show in California
Story and photos by Lupi Gutierrez Beagle
A two-day tournament by Beautiful Brawlers for its 11th annual event took place at the cozy Northern California beach town of Pacifica where an all-female amateur boxing show went international at the BabyFace Training Center.
One hundred and twenty boxers ranging from eight to thirty-eight-year-olds travelled from all over the USA, Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom and Taiwan to fight in the most prestigious, all female fight card in the nation. The United States Army was also represented by the World Class Athlete Program on February 18 and 19.
Also competing was Taiwan’s 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Huang Hsaio Wen, England’s national champions Amy Nolan, Shauna O’Callahan and Canada’s British Columbian champion Nyousha Nakhjari.
Beautiful Brawlers was created by BabyFace owner, USA High Performance coach and matchmaker Blanca Gutierrez, who had her first all-female card in 2010 to give amateur boxers from all over the world exposure and experience. This jewel has grown to become the hub of amateur female boxing.
When there was little interest to support females in the sport, Beautiful Brawlers was the springboard for boxers to gain the essential experience and competitive skills needed to develop in and out of the ring. Many national champions such as USA’s 2012 Olympian Queen Underwood and 2020 Olympic Trials national champion Lupe Gutierrez have fought on this world renown card.
Some of the highlighted bouts:
The United Kingdom made its debut when England’s 2023 national champion Amy Nolan secured her spot in the Finals when she beat the USA’s number two ranked 70kg Madeline Days. In Sunday’s championship round Amy came up short on points in a highly competitive match against the U.S. Army’s Private Ariana Carrasco, returning home a silver medalist.
Team Canada’s two-division British Columbian champion Nyousha Nakhjiri came out with gold when she beat USA’s Mandy Hernandez in the semi-finals. In a highly skilled championship bout, Nakhjiri took the win over California’s 2018 champion Shavana Trejo.
Cat Accardi also representing Canada, had two bouts beating out USA’s Brenda Torres in the semi-finals and losing a close fight to California’s Sasha Saldana in the finals.
But it was the U.S. Army WCAP Team that swept the tournament. First up was Private Sierra Martinez and Canada’s Terris Smith in a well matched and well fought bout. Smith took the loss to the former member of Team USA and now world class athlete Beautiful Brawlers gold medalist Martinez.
Multi-national champion Private Ariana Carrasco, had a split decision win over Minnesota’s Meri Stewart on day one. In the championship round, Carrasco beat England’s national champ Amy Nolan as previously mentioned for gold.
In a match that ended in the middle of round two due to the unfortunate shoulder injury to the tough nine-time Canadian champion Shauna O’Callaghan, Sergeant Lisa Greer had her hand raised when O’Callaghan was unable to continue. This fight left many wanting to see how it would have ended, if it had gone the distance.
In an absolute crowd pleaser was USA’s 2020 Olympic Trials national champion, WCAP’s Specialist Lupe Gutierrez versus Taiwan’s 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Huang Hsiao Wen. The height variance between the 5’3 Gutierrez and 6-foot Wen was visible as were the tactics Gutierrez used to defeat the Chinese Taipei Olympian. Gutierrez not only won gold, but became a two-time Beautiful Brawlers WBC Amateur Champion. The sought-after green and gold belt was sponsored by Philippines based real estate company, Santos Knight Frank.
Other notable bouts:
England’s Nyla Rochester fell short to WCAP’s Sergeant Lisa Greer in the semi-finals.
Texas’ number two ranked youth Ivy Enriquez beat out California’s Valerie Vargas by unanimous decision.
BabyFace Boxing’s own Drea Sitton won by unanimous decision over San Diego’s Alyssa St. Agustin in a toe-to-toe fight.
Hawaii’s Jessica O’Dell out of BoxFit 808 had a win over Vancouver’s Autumn Smiley representing Quintit Boxing.
Montana’s number one ranked 138 pounder junior Johaunna Martinez, stopped 2021 Brawlers Cal Border champion Angely Guerrero.
Another number one ranked out of Montana, 165 pounder Bree Cochran beat Colorado’s Victoria Minjares by unanimous decision, bringing home the championship belt to the Belknap Reservation.
In yet another thrilling junior bout, California’s Nationally ranked Liz Oceguera and Emma Nayanet ended with a split-decision in Nayanet’s favor.
Beautiful Brawlers is affiliated and sponsored by international professional boxing organization, The World Boxing Council and WBC Cares, namely International Chair Jill Diamond, former WBC world heavyweight champion, now Ambassador Martha Salazar and WBC professional referee and judge, Stephen Blea.
California’s pro world champion Seniesa Estrada sponsored the open belts and undisputed world champion Franchón Crews-Dezurn bestowed a cash prize to two deserving participants. Former WBO world champion “Mighty” Melissa McMorrow gave a substantial donation towards the ambulance and medical.
This international, all inclusive, all female tournament is run by women, officiated by women and created for girls and women in the sport of pugilism.
The two-day tournament’s livestream is still available on Boxing Meets Beauty’s Facebook page.