Claressa Shields and Hanna Gabriels Rematch, Miyo Yoshida, Team Combat League and More News
By David A. Avila
Half a decade ago champions Claressa Shields and Hanna Gabriels first met in the prize ring at Masonic Temple in Detroit.
Few knew what to expect.
Immediately those expecting a runaway win for Shields were shocked to see the two-time Olympic gold medalist deposited on the ground from a Gabriels’ uppercut. It was the Michigan-based superstar’s irreverent welcome to professional prizefighting.
It was also Shields first and only time on the mat looking up, but she remains undefeated and undisputed middleweight world champion. It’s not often you can receive a severe lesson while rocketing to stardom.
Shields (13-0, 2 Kos) and Costa Rica’s Gabriels (21-2-1, 12 Kos) will meet again in the boxing ring at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday June 3. DAZN will stream the Salita Promotions and DiBella Entertainment fight card.
A press conference announcing the Shields-Gabriels rematch took place on Wednesday April 19, in Detroit.
Mark Taffet, co-manager of Shields, said Detroit has a long history of providing some of the best boxing in the last 100 years citing fighters from the past like Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Tommy Hearns and trainers like Emanuel Steward and Bill Miller. Now it’s Shields turn.
“She has once in a lifetime talent,” said Taffet about Shields.
Last October, Shields avenged the only loss in her career – amateur or pro – when she defeated Savannah Marshall in London, England. In that contest she proved superiority in a masterful display of fighting inside or outside.
In the back of her mind, however, is the memory of getting dropped in a fight by Gabriels. Five years ago.
“The knockdown pissed me off, cause it was a flash knockdown,” said Shields at the press conference.
Despite the knockdown Shields defeated Gabriels for most of the next eight rounds to win by unanimous decision. That fight remained a pivotal moment for the two-time Olympic gold medalist.
“Then I fought Christina Hammer. Tori Nelson. I was fighting all these top girls,” said Shields. “I’ve learned a lot more.”
The fighter considered the best woman fighter pound for pound, is anxious to show new weaponry.
So is Gabriels who does not dispute losing to Shields, but not by the margins given by the judges back in 2018.
“I was mad about the cards, because I think I didn’t deserve those cards,” said Gabriels about losing on the scorecards by large margins. “Even for your fights afterwards, I don’t think the other girls gave you as much of a fight and they did better on the cards, so I am here to redeem myself.”
Both fighters have improved and are anxious to do it again.
“She said she’ll beat my ass again and I thought it was a strong word, because I didn’t feel like I’d been beaten. But we have the opportunity to do it again,” said Gabriels.
Shields went one step further.
“I don’t want it to go to a decision, I’m going for a knockout,” Shield said.
June 3 in Detroit.
Miyo in NYC
Former super flyweight world titlist Miyo Yoshida of Japan makes her American debut and tangles with a fighter known for an upset or two.
Yoshida (15-3) meets Indeya Smith (6-6-2) at Sony Hall in New York City on Thursday April 27. The co-main event is staged by DiBella Entertainment.
The last time Indeya Smith participated on DiBella’s card she defeated contender Sulem Urbina by unanimous decision with a hurricane style. Will it work against Yoshida, a two-time former world champion?
Combat League
Its already in its fourth week but a newly devised boxing league has emerged that includes women called Team Combat League.
On Thursday, the team versus team league continues with Atlanta meeting Los Angeles; DC Metro meeting Las Vegas; and New York facing Dallas. All matches take place in Uncasville, Conn. At the Mohegan Sun Casino.
All matches consist of three-minute rounds with two fighters meeting for one round only.
Here is the link: https://watch.teamcombatleague.com/en/c/week-4-thursday-april-27-2023.53
More Fight News
Argentina
Daniela Bermudez (31-4-3) knocked out Daniela Rivero (9-5) in the fifth round on Saturday April 22. The Argentine featherweight title fight took place at Timbues.
On Saturday April 29, light flyweights Leonela Yudica (18-1-3) and Tamara Demarco (11-5) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Los Polvorines. Also, super bantamweights Carolina Duer (20-6-2) and Gabriela Bouvier (16-12-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title; and bantamweights Florencia Ayelen (11-1) and Eliana Orecchia (3-7-2) meet six rounds.
On Saturday April 29, super bantamweights Nazarena Romero (12-0) and Julieta Cardozo (12-7) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Cordoba.
Australia
Jaala Tomat (2-2-1) beat Pam McClelland (2-2-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday April 22. The super featherweight bout took place at Melbourne. Also, super flyweight Connie Brown (1-0) defeated Ali Jensen (0-5) in four rounds.
Viviana Ruiz (7-1) knocked out Khwunchit Khunya (4-14-1) in the third round on Friday April 21. The flyweight bout took place at Bowen Hills. Also, welterweight Jessica Messina (3-0) knocked out Flora Kilasa (0-1) in two rounds.
On Saturday April 29, super welterweights Taylah Harris (7-0-1) and Connie Chan (3-3) meet six rounds at Flemington.
Belgium
Sedem Ama (1-0) won by decision over Marija Zivkovic (1-13-1) after six rounds on Saturday April 22. The super welterweight fight took place at Charleroi.
Canada
On Saturday April 29, middleweights Melinda Watpool (2-0) and Angelica Lopez (13-1) meet six rounds at Pickering.
Colombia
Rini Khoudari (5-0-1) knocked out Nayara Romero (0-1) in the first round on Saturday April 22. The bantamweight fight was held at Barranquilla. Also, featherweight Yendimar Maita (1-0) beat Jesica Racedo (0-1) in four rounds.
Yeimi Benitez (1-2) knocked out Gladis Munevar (0-1) in the third round on Monday April 17. The lightweight bout took place at Tolima.
On Friday April 28, super featherweights Francis Bravo (23-6-2) and Maria Miranda (16-18) meet four rounds at Sahagun.
Dominican Republic
On Friday April 28, featherweights Vivian Bianelis (2-0) and Gina Joseph (1-0-1) meet six rounds at Santo Domingo.
France
Super bantamweights Lydie Bialic (2-2-1) and Laela El Ksiri (2-3-1) fought to a draw after six rounds on Saturday April 22 at Auch.
On Friday April 28, super bantamweights Romane Gaffray (6-4-1) and Tijana Draskovic (2-6) meet six rounds at Laval.
On Saturday April 29, super bantamweights Segolene Lefebvre (16-0) and Debora Anahi (35-4) meet 10 rounds for the WBO world title at Douai.
Germany
On Saturday April 29, super bantamweights Eva Hubmayer (5-3) and Bilgenur Aras (8-1) meet 10 rounds at Darmstadt.
On Sunday April 30, super bantamweights Phannarai Netisri (12-0) and Hasna Tukic (12-9) meet six rounds at St. Pauli.
Japan
Riho Yoshida (2-0-1) defeated Sakura Kannari (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday April 22. The atomweight fight took place at Kariya.
On Saturday April 29, atomweights Minayo Kei (7-5-1) and Natsuki Tarui (4-10-3) meet six rounds at Osaka.
New Zealand
On Thursday April 27, super bantamweights Mea Motu (16-0) and Tanya Walters (4-1) meet 10 rounds for the vacant IBO world title at North Shore.
On Friday April 28, heavyweights Viki Tofa (0-0) and Cory Enoka (2-1) meet four rounds at Wanganui.
Panama
On Saturday April 29, super bantamweights Teresa Almengor (9-1-2) and Laura Ledezma (14-1) meet eight rounds at Panama City.
Poland
Laura Grzyb (9-0) won by split decision after 10 rounds versus Maria Cecchi (8-2) on Saturday April 22. The EBU super bantamweight title fight took place at Rzeszow. Also, welterweight Adrianna Jedrzejcjyk (1-0) beat Monika Lis (0-1).
Slovakia
Jessica Triebelova (3-0) won by unanimous decision after eight rounds versus Kluadia Vigh (3-40-2) on Saturday April 22. The super middleweight match was held at Mutne. Also, super featherweight Nikola Izova (2-0-2) beat Eszter Bakk (0-1).
Spain
Alba Sanchez (4-0) won by decision after six rounds against Katherine Quintana (0-20-1) on Saturday April 22. The super featherweight bout was held in Aranjuez. Also, flyweight Keylin Maradiaga (3-0) knocked out Tetiana Perevezentseva (0-6) in the second round.
Thailand
Chenyi Tan (1-0) was the winner by unanimous decision after four rounds against Sirapapa Natim (0-1) on Friday April 21. The bantamweight fight was held at Chiang Mai.
Sawanya Srisawat (1-0) knocked out Monthakarn Sapbang (0-2) in the third round on Thursday April 20. The super flyweight match was held at Pathum Thani. Also, super featherweight Noppaket Srisawas (2-0) knocked out Amporn Pacchai (0-2) in three rounds. Usanakorn Thawilsuhannawang (18-3) knocked out Wilaiwan Naemkrathok (0-4) in third round; minimumweight Phunnakran Karjanawong (3-0-1) beat Duangkamon Khunwang (0-2); and light flyweight Phanit Yongyut (3-1) won by decision after six rounds against Rawiwan Saikrajang (1-6).
Weerawan Kedsukkee (3-0) knocked out Tiradee Tipdee (0-4) in the fourth round on Wednesday April 19. The super flyweight bout took place at Bangkok. Also, super flyweight Suphattra Aunrean (4-0) stopped Thamonwan Phiokhao (0-6) in the second round; and super welterweight Suchada Panich (2-0) knocked out Suchaya Bualuang (0-2) in the first round.
Turkey
On Saturday April 29, welterweights Deniz Ermis (1-0) and Nazli Cakir (0-0) meet four rounds at Istanbul.
On Sunday April 30, bantamweights Seren Cetin (10-0) and Mary Romero (8-3) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Istanbul. Also, bantamweights Angelina Lukas (3-0) and Ana Arrazola (28-16-3) meet 10 rounds for a regional title. Welterweights Helia Kalali (6-0) and Altyn Agayeva (1-1) meet six rounds; and bantamweights Azra Bilercioglu (0-0) and Latife Top (0-0) meet four rounds.
Uganda
On Friday April 28, bantamweights Mercy Acayo (4-4) and Lulu Kayage (8-9-4) meet 10 rounds at Kampala. Also, bantamweights Shalom Nabukenya (0-0) and Oteng Ajek (0-1) meet four rounds.
Ukraine
Oksana Bondarenko (4-0) won by decision after four rounds versus Tetiana Saklakova (0-1) on Saturday April 22. The super lightweight fight took place at unknown place.
United Kingdom
Svitlana Vasylevska (3-3) defeated Tracey Webber (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Sunday April 23. The super bantamweight match was held at Manchester, England.
Sandy Ryan (6-1) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Marie Pier Houle (8-1-1) on Saturday April 22. The WBO welterweight world title fight was held at Cardiff, Wales. Also, featherweight Skye Nicolson (7-0) defeated Linda Laura Lecca (15-7-2) by decision after eight rounds.
On Friday April 28, lightweights Beccy Ferguson (3-9) and Amy Greatorex (0-2) meet six rounds at Stoke-on-Trent.
USA
Stevie Jane Coleman (5-1) knocked out Sarah Click (1-4-1) in the first round on Saturday April 22. The super lightweight bout took place at Uncasville, Conn.
Leesh Pike (2-0-1) beat Sandra Chheng (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Friday April 21. The super bantamweight contest took place at Windham, New Hampshire.
On Thursday April 27, featherweights Jennifer Miranda (8-0) and Jaica Pavilus (3-6-1) meet three rounds at Uncasville, Conn. Also, featherweights Iyana Verduzco (0-0) and Mona Ward (0-0) meet three rounds. Featherweights Erisnelsy Torres (0-0) and Tyrieshia Douglas (13-1-1) meet three rounds. It’s all part of the Team Combat League prize fights.
On Thursday April 27, super flyweights Miyo Yoshida (15-3) and Indeya Smith (6-6-2) meet eight rounds in New York City.
On Thursday April 27, super featherweights Kailia Attry (6-0) and Karen Dulin (5-26-1) meet four rounds at Fort Worth, Texas. Also bantamweights Alexis Araiza (0-0-1) and Brittany Sims (2-3) meet four rounds.
On Saturday April 29, super welterweights Elia Carranza (2-1) and Katharina Lehner (1-0) meet four rounds at Miami.
On Saturday April 29, bantamweights Melissa Odessa Parker (6-0) and Shurretta Metcalf (11-4-1) meet eight rounds at Philadelphia. Also, flyweights Leanna Cruz (4-0) and Simone Aparecida (17-23) meet rounds.
On Saturday April 29, light heavyweights Chia Fei (1-0-1) and Kayla Williams (1-5-10 meet five rounds at Memphis.