Mizuki Hiruta Dominates Casey Morton; Japanese Great Naoko Fujioka Retires and More
By David A. Avila
In her first defense of the WBO super flyweight title, Mizuki Hiruta savagely knocked out contender Casey Morton on Tuesday.
It was Hiruta’s first defense of the title.
Hiruta (5-0, 1 KO) showed the crowd at the famous Korakuen Hall in Tokyo that America’s Morton (11-4-3) was not a challenge and floored her four times en-route to the victory.
The entire fight lasted 63 seconds.
Weeks before defending her world title, Hiruta spent time in Los Angeles, California working with a number of top female fighters such as Ramla Ali, Perla Bazaldua, Lupita Medina and Yesica Bopp. Renowned trainer Manny Robles worked with the Japanese champion offering some tips.
According to writer Yuriko Miyata, who was present for the three weeks spent in South Gate, California, and watched the training take place, many were impressed with the pink haired champion.
“Mizuki ran up the mountain with them,” said Miyata, a writer for the Prizefighters.com and other notable publications. “Everyone was surprised with her strength.”
That strength was on display on Tuesday, June 13, when she mowed down Morton four times with lefts and rights. Hiruta showed power in both fists.
Morton proved valiant in trying to continue but she was over-matched against Hiruta.
Can the pink haired champion pick up where recently retired Naoko Fujioka left off?
Japan’s great Naoko Fujioka retires
A few weeks ago, the great Naoko Fujioka announced her retirement at age 47. She is considered Japan’s greatest female fighter of all time and captured world titles in five different weight divisions.
Fujioka was fearless in her pursuit of greatness and fought in Germany, Mexico and the USA to showcase her fighting prowess.
Her last fight was in defense of the WBA flyweight title that she lost versus Marlen Esparza in a unification bout held in Texas on April 2022. Though she lost, many felt the Texas judges were sadly biased in a hotly contested battle between the two great fighters.
Fujioka was proud that she was able to fight twice in America. It was a dream come true.
“I wish I could have had one more match in the US,” said Fujioka. “However, I need to think about my future career. I’m not quitting boxing entirely; I’ll live with it forever, but my time in the ring has ended.”
Among those Fujioka defeated were Yokasta Valle, Mariana Juarez and Shindo Go. Only Manny Pacquiao and Amanda Serrano captured more divisions world titles. It’s an accomplishment that she cherishes.
We at www.thePrizefighters.com congratulate Fujioka on her splendid career. She was a trailblazer for Japanese boxing and was always eager to promote women’s boxing everywhere. We wish her continued success in her new adventures. Her generation of fighters kept women’s boxing breathing. Only now has the sport begun to thrive.
Thank you, Naoko.
More Fight News
Argentina
Mayerlin Rivas (17-4-3) retained the super bantamweight title by technical draw decision against Nazarena Romero (13-0-1) after five rounds on Saturday June 10. A clash of heads forced the fight to end in the fifth round. The WBA super bantamweight title fight was held at Buenos Aires.
Flyweights Sol Cudols (5-0-2) and Olga Julio (37-18-3) fought to a split draw after 10 rounds on Friday June 9. The regional flyweight title fight was held at Buenos Aires.
On Saturday June 17, lightweights Lourdes Grand (1-0-1) and Nicole Morales (2-3-2) meet four rounds at Buenos Aires.
Austria
Edina Kiss (16-17) upset Nicole Wesner (18-1) by split decision after eight rounds on Saturday June 10. The lightweight match took place in Vienna. Also, welterweight Dilara Yucel (12-0) beat Timea Belik (7-8) by split decision after six rounds.
Belgium
On Saturday June 17, super welterweights Femke Hermans (15-4) and Maria Lindberg (20-8-2) meet 10 rounds for the IBO title at Roosdaal.
France
Selma Reiner (2-0) beat Dragana Golic (0-13) by decision after four rounds on Saturday June 10. The super bantamweight match was held at Claira.
Eva Cantos (9-13-1) knocked out Sabrina Flamand (1-5-1) in the fourth round on Fridau June 9. The featherweight match was held at Laize la Ville.
On Saturday June 17, bantamweights Clothilde Del Ben (4-2) and Melina Ainaoui (2-1-1) meet 10 rounds for the French title at Saint Dizier.
Ghana
On Friday June 16, super bantamweights Adijat Gbadamosi (7-0) and Patience Mastara (5-8-4) meet 10 rounds for the African Union title at Accra.
Italy
Pamela Noutcho (5-0) won by decision after six rounds against Ksenija Medic (3-27-2) on Saturday June 10. The lightweight bout took place at Maclodio.
Japan
Reika Kawaguchi (4-1-2) knocked out Phunnakran Karnjanawong (3-1-1) in the second round on Sunday June 11. The atomweight fight took place in Kyoto.
Atomweights Aori Matsuo (3-0-1) and Mizuki Marsuoka (1-4-2) fought to a draw after four rounds on Sunday June 11. The match was held at Ube.
Yumemi Ikemoto (8-2) defeated Shione Ogata (12-9-1) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Saturday June 10. The light flyweight fight took place at Osaka.
On Tuesday super flyweights Mizuki Hiruta (4-0) and Casey Morton (11-3-3) meet 10 rounds for the WBO world title at Tokyo. Also, light flyweights Nanako Suzuki (7-2) and Eri Matsuda (5-1-1) meet eight rounds.
New Zealand
On Saturday June 17, super flyweights Holly McMath (2-3) and Emma Nesbitt (0-0) meet four rounds at Orewa.
Thailand
Khwunchit Khunya (5-14-1) defeated Monthakarn Sapbang (0-3) by decision after six rounds on Sunday June 11. The flyweight bout took place at Pathum Thani.
Juthathip Sitthichen (1-0) knocked out Thidarat Serasee (1-2) in the second round on Wednesday June 7. The minimumweight fight was held in Bangkok. Also, Ploypaulin Palatsrichuai (4-3) beat Panida Chatluang (4-8); and light flyweight Weerawan Kedsukkee (5-0) defeated Sutthinnee Bamrungpao (4-10-1).
United Kingdom
Ellie Scotney (7-0) defeated Cherneka Johnson (15-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday June 10. The IBF super bantamweight title fight took place at London, England. Also, Nina Hughes (6-0) beat Katie Healy (6-1) to retain the WBA bantamweight title. And super flyweight Shannon Ryan (5-0) defeated Martina Bernile (5-2-1) by decision after eight rounds.
Amy Andrew (4-0) won by decision after six rounds versus Wendellin Cruz (5-7-1) on Saturday Oct. 10. The super featherweight fight was held at Birmingham, England.
Vaida Masiokaite (6-19-5) beat Charlotte Powell (2-1-1)
On Friday June 16, lightweights Caroline Dubois (6-0) and Yanina Del Carmen (13-2) meet eight rounds in London, England.
On Saturday June 17, super featherweights Kirsty Hill (3-1) and Linzi Buczynsskyj (4-2) meet six rounds at Grimsby.
On Saturday June 17, super featherweights Jasmin Harmitt (0-0) and Angelika Oles (2-40 meet four rounds at Birmingham, England.
USA
Mayeli Flores (10-1-1) defeated Mariana Juarez (55-13-4) by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Saturday Oct. 10. The super bantamweight fight took place in Ontario, California.
Arika Skoog (2-0-1) won by knockout over Sarah Click (1-5-1) on Saturday June 10. The lightweight match took place at Bridgewater, Mass.
Gloria Munguilla (4-0) beat Liliam Almaraz (0-3) by decision after four rounds on Friday June 9. The flyweight contest took place in Commerce, Calif. Also, flyweight Stefanie Cohen (4-1-1) defeated Esli Cervantes (1-4) by decision.
Jelena Mrdjenovich (42-12-2) won by decision over Calista Silgado (21-17-4) after 10 rounds on Thursday June 8. The featherweight fight took place in Indio, California.
On Saturday June 17, super bantamweights Ramla Ali (8-0) and Julissa Guzman (12-2-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at New Orleans, La. Also, super flyweights Ginny Fuchs (2-0) and Indeya Smith (6-7-2) meet eight rounds.