One Year Anniversary of Amanda and Katie Mega Fight and More News
By David A. Avila
A little over a year ago Manhattan bustled and vibrated with excitement as female prizefighting entered a realm never experienced.
New York’s own Amanda Serrano and Ireland’s Katie Taylor brutalized and pummeled each other with blurring fists and sonic blows for 10 breathtaking rounds at Madison Square Garden. Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Elin Cederroos also battled.
“It feels like yesterday and I’m proud of myself and my team for the opportunity to show the world I am one of the best,” said Amanda Serrano the current undisputed featherweight world champion.
It was a wakeup call to the world that female professional boxing had arrived and those able to witness it departed the historic arena as if anointed with a special duty: That duty is to spread the word of the power and lure of women’s boxing.
April 30, 2022, was that day boxing fans around the world tuned in on their various tablets, phones and televisions to watch Amanda Serrano clash with Taylor for the undisputed lightweight world championship. And more than 20,000 fans packed Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City.
The landmark fight card took place where Sugar Ray Robinson battled Henry Armstrong in 1943, where Roberto Duran beat Carlos Palomino in 1979, where the great Benny Leonard was stopped by Jimmy McLarnin in 1932, and where two of the greatest heavyweight battles ensued between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1971 and 1974.
Madison Square Garden drips with history.
Two Remarkable Days
The day before the actual Serrano-Taylor fight, the official weighing took place in the Hulu Theater. It’s a smaller venue connected to Madison Square Garden and strangely a large crowd was gathering. A line formed outside that stretched a city block and media members lined up in a different line.
A good thing it was a clear blue-sky kind of day. Though the weather was brisk.
Once people were allowed inside, excited voices could be heard as television technicians scurried around checking on the equipment. On the front left side of the venue, a pair of flaming redhead girls in green outfits practiced their violins. They were very animated. On the other side various boxing celebrities gathered and chatted with videographers. On the stage microphone checks were going on simultaneously.
Female world champions entered the venue to witness the proceedings. Among those seated to the right were Alycia Baumgardner. On the left Seniesa Estrada talked with various reporters. All waited for the four primary athletes to step on the scales.
A full celebration erupted with recorded music, introductions, speeches and cheers. Many in the venue realized they were witnessing a pre-event seldom if ever seen for a female-led card.
The redhead girls strummed the musical theme for Game of Thrones. It seemed fitting but too somber for this occasion. When salsa from the back of the venue erupted, it seemed to signal that a party was about to begin.
And maybe it’s never stopped because female prizefighting continues to grow with new energy from around the world.
On that day, one year ago, women’s boxing became serious business. And it’s definitely here to stay now that the secret is out. Women’s boxing sells.
“Last year was the best year for women’s boxing,” said Serrano. “Katie and I silenced a ton of critics.”
May the critics rest in peace.
Adelaida Ruiz
MarvNation Promotions announced Adelaida “La Cobra” Ruiz will headline a fight card along with Fernando Vargas Jr. at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula on June 2.
Ruiz, the interim WBC super flyweight titlist, hails from Los Angeles and will be defending her title a second time and looking to fight for the actual world title. No opponent has been named.
Tickets went on sale last week and can be purchased at these links: www.marvnation.com or at www.pechanga.com .
More Female Fight News
Argentina
Gabriela Bouvier (17-12-1) won by split decision after 10 rounds against Carolina Duer (20-7-2) on Saturday April 29. The regional super bantamweight title fight took place at Los Polvorines. Also, light flyweight Leonela Yudica (19-1-3) beat Tamara Demarco (11-6) by split decision after 10 rounds; bantamweight Florencia Juarez (12-1) beat Eliana Orecchia (3-8-2) after six rounds.
Nazarena Romero (13-0) knocked out Julieta Cardozo (12-8) in the third round on Saturday April 29. The super bantamweight regional title fight was held at Cordoba.
Super featherweights Victoria Bustos (24-7-1) and Estefania Alaniz (5-7-2) fought to a split draw after 10 rounds on Friday April 28. The Argentine title fight was held at Justiniano Posse. Also, bantamweight Claudia Loza (1-1) beat Naila Peloso (0-1) by decision.
Australia
Tayla Harris (8-0-1) knocked out Connie Chan (3-4) in the third round on Saturday April 29. The Australian super welterweight title fight took place at Flemington.
Mea Motu (16-0) defeated Tania Walters (4-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Thursday April 27. The IBO super bantamweight title fight took place on North Shore.
Canada
On Saturday May 6, welterweights Jennifer Williams (1-0) and Karla Soria (1-1) meet four rounds at Brantford.
Dominican Republic
Vivian Bianelis (3-0) won by unanimous decision after six rounds against Gina Joseph (1-1-1) on Friday April 28. The featherweight fight was held in Santa Domingo.
France
Segolene Lefebvre (17-0) defeated Debora Dionicius (35-5) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday April 29. The WBO super bantamweight title fight was held at Douai.
Germany
Charlotte Berlin (1-0) knocked out Sabine Hempel (0-6) in the second round on Saturday April 29. The lightweight bout took place at Weissenthurm.
Guatemala
On Saturday May 6, lightweights Karla Lara (0-2) and Sandy Contreras (0-1) meet four rounds at Sanarate. Also, lightweights Maria Ordonez (0-1) and Claudia Lopez (0-0) meet four rounds.
Italy
On Friday May 5, super flyweights Stephanie Silva (7-0) and Mailys Gangloff (8-3) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Tivoli. Also, bantamweights Simona Salvatori (8-0) and Johanna Wonyou (8-0) meet 10 rounds.
On Friday May 5, super lightweights Silvia Bortot (11-1-1) and Flora Pili (6-0) meet 10 rounds at Padua. Lightweights Martina Righi (3-1) and Nadia Flalhi (5-1) meet 10 rounds; and flyweights Vittoria Parigi (1-0) and Evelin Camporeale (2-2-1) meet six rounds.
Japan
Atomweights Minayo Kei (7-5-2) and Natsuki Tarui (4-10-4) fought to a majority draw after six rounds on Saturday April 29. The atomweight match was held in Osaka.
On Wednesday May 3, minimumweights Riyuna Yoshikawa (5-1-1) and Kaoru Iga (6-2-1) meet eight rounds at Izumi.
Mexico
On Friday May 5, super featherweights Leila Beaudoin (9-0) and Elizabeth Chavez (3-4-3) meet six rounds at Cuernavaca. Also, heavyweights Vanessa Lepage (4-1) and Giovanna Gonzalez (3-3) meet six rounds.
On Saturday May 6, super bantamweights Julissa Guzman (11-2-2) and Rosa Diaz (7-6) meet six rounds at Tijuana.
On Sunday May 7, flyweights Nayeli Verde (4-6-2) and Maria Cruz Sumano (2-2) meet six rounds at Puebla.
Panama
Super bantamweights Teresa Almengor (9-1-3) and Laura Ledezma (14-1-1) fought to a split draw after eight rounds on Saturday April 29. The match took place at Panama City.
Portugal
On Saturday May 6, super lightweights Ivanusa Moreira (1-0) and Katherine Quintana (0-20-1) meet four rounds at Porto.
Russia
On Thursday May 4, super featherweights Anna Krasnoperova (8-0) and Rupinder Kaur (5-1-1) meet eight rounds in Moscow.
Serbia
Nina Pavlovic (8-5-1) defeated Dragana Golic (0-12) by decision after six rounds on Saturday April 29. The super featherweight fight took place at Majdanpek.
South Africa
On Saturday May 6, flyweights Simangele Hadebe (12-3-2) and Phannaluk Kongsang (11-11-1) meet eight rounds at Johannesburg.
Spain
Eva Cantos (7-13-1) defeated Almudena Alvarez (3-2) by majority decision after six rounds on Saturday April 29. The featherweight fight took place in Madrid.
On Saturday May 6, bantamweights Dominika Hranikova (1-3) and Greta Del Fabro (0-1) meet four rounds at Albuixech.
Sweden
On Saturday May 6, lightweights Valgerdur Gudstensdottir (5-4) and Mariami Nutsibidze (1-2) meet six rounds at Alingsas.
Thailand
Sothita Sittichai (8-2) won by unanimous decision after six rounds versus Jiraporn Chompuwiset (0-4) on Sunday April 30. The minimumweight bout took place at Pathum Thani. Monthawee Srisongkhram (2-0) beat Chutinan Phonghoi (1-3) by decision after six; featherweights Nantachat Wanpeng (4-1) knocked out Nualnapa Chanowannaphu (0-2) in the fourth round; and Pattawaran Thaosuwan (9-2) knocked out Arisa Camna (0-4) in the fourth round.
Kullanat Aonok (1-0) defeated Fani Peloumpi (0-1) by split decision after four rounds on Sunday April 30. The bantamweight fight was held in Bangkok.
Thanyarat Jaiklom (1-0) won by knockout over Suwanun Antanai (4-10) in the second round on Monday April 24. The super bantamweight bout took place at Lam Luk Ka. Also, light flyweight Nanthika Panyakhid (3-0) knocked out Kannika Bangnara (1-9) in the third round; and flyweight Wisuta Sririttidet (3-1) knocked out Kulatida Thongpradub (0-3) in the fourth round.
United Kingdom
Roni Dean (1-0) defeated Klaudia Ferenczi (20-101-9) by decision after six rounds on Friday April 28. The super bantamweight fight was held in London, England.
Beccy Ferguson (4-9) won by decision after four rounds against Amy Greatorex (0-3). The lightweight bout took place in Stoke-on-Trent.
On Friday May 5, lightweights Jordan Barker (5-2) and Vaida Masiokaite (4-18-5) meet six rounds at Rotherham, England. Also, bantamweights Tori-Ellis Willetts (0-0) and Klaudia Ferenczi (20-101-9) meet six rounds.
On Saturday May 6, welterweights Lauren Price (3-0) and Kirstie Bavington (7-3-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Birmingham, England.
USA
Elia Carranza (3-1) won by decision after four rounds against Katharina Lehner (1-1) on Saturday April 29. The super welterweight bout took place in Miami, Florida.
LeAnna Cruz (5-0) won by decision over Simone Aparecida (17-24) after six rounds on Saturday April 29. The bantamweight fight was held in Philadelphia, Penn.
Kayla Williams (2-5-1) defeated Chia Fei Asbury (1-1-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday April 29. The cruiserweight bout took place at Memphis, Tenn.
Nadine Burke (1-0) won by decision after five rounds versus Jessica Link (0-1) on Thursday April 27. The super featherweight fight was held in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Miyo Yoshida (16-3) won by majority decision after eight rounds versus Indeya Smith (6-7-2) on Thursday April 27. The super flyweight bout took place in New York City.
On Friday May 5, middleweights Kaitlin LaVigne (2-2) and Jordanne Garcia (4-2-2) meet six rounds at Kansas City, Kansas.
On Friday May 5, super featherweights Destiny Jones (4-1) and Brittany Ordonez (3-3-3) meet six rounds at San Antonio, Texas.
On Saturday May 6, bantamweights Rianna Rios (6-0) and Cara McLaughlin (1-5) meet eight rounds in D.C.
(Photo by NY Fights)