Japan’s Tsunami Tenkai is Set, IFL Fights in L.A. and More News
By David A. Avila
Former world champion Tsunami Tenkai returns to the ring this week. Tenkai is one of the last great fighters of her generation.
Last month the great Naoko Fujioka retired from boxing and now Tenkai remains as one of the last veterans who actually matched blows with the five-division world champion. Their fight in 2019 ended in a draw.
Tenkai (29-13-1, 17 Kos) meets Thailand’s Saowaluk Nareepangsri (16-22) on Wednesday June 21, at the famous Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. It’s where that country’s constant conveyor belt of talent continues to hone their craft.
Two years ago, Tenkai willingly traveled to the USA to defend her WBO light flyweight world title against Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada. She was well aware of the reputation the East L.A. fighter developed as a fearsome puncher. Japanese fighters are fearless.
Tenkai and Estrada fought in front of a large crowd at the Banc of California Stadium near downtown Los Angeles. They were not the main event but provided the large vocal crowd one of its most exciting bouts. They were both electric.
The two petite prizefighters did not hesitate to unleash lightning quick combinations all fired with precision and power. Though the crowd was mostly there for Estrada, they could determine that Tsunami was no easy touch.
I’ve watched Estrada fight both as an amateur and professional, and in all those boxing matches I had never seen anyone connect with many blows against “Super Bad.”
But on that Saturday July 9, 2021, Tenkai actually connected with a four-punch combination. All four blows connected with impact. It was stunning for me to watch.
After withstanding that flurry at the end of the round, Estrada came out and turned on the after-burners.
Estrada connected with her own combinations and left hooks that had taken out an earlier opponent Miriam Adkins in a record seven seconds a year earlier. Though she landed against Tenkai it did not shake her. It merely ignited more blows from the petite blonde Japanese fighter known as Tsunami.
It was a fierce fight and one of the best that year. Though Estrada won by decision, the scores did not reflect the closeness of their battle. It was the perhaps the only time fans needed to actually wait to determine if Super Bad was the winner.
Fans erupted when Estrada’s name was called.
Tenkai was disappointed but grateful that she had been able to fight in the USA. Most Japanese fighters dream of performing their craft in places like Los Angeles, Las Vegas or New York. She had attained her dream but still wants another crack.
She is one of the last of her generation of Japanese world champions.
Value of the Hook
Not to preach, but just recently we mentioned the value of a good left hook or right hook. It was on display in vivid proportions when Julissa Alejandra Guzman and Ramla Ali traded hooks during their clash last week in New Orleans.
Very few female fighters throw a proper or effective left hook. It’s a punch the amateur boxing system fails to develop.
Mexican fighters are groomed behind a left hook or right hook depending on their stance. They learn the hook as soon as they put on gloves. It’s the reason for their penchant for knockout wins.
The hook is mightier than the straight cross.
It’s a punch you seldom see, so when it connects, the consequences are substantial.
Many female fighters throw a left hook that is more a slap than a punch. It’s a remnant of their amateur training. When Ali fired a touch left against Guzman, she was immediately open for the Mexican fighter’s potent left hook. Ali did not see the blow and was unable to recover.
It was a very competitive fight that was ended with a single punch. Earlier in their fight Ali was dropped with a right cross. She was wary of the right so was open for the left hook. Guzman has two-fisted power. Ali has power too.
Influencer fights
On Saturday the Influencer Fight League stages another of its cards in Southern California.
Nikki Hru (0-0) faces Brooklyn Barwick (0-0) in a professional featherweight fight for an organizational ICB title championship. The IFL 6 fight card will be shown live on FITE.TV on Saturday June 24, at the Academy at 6021 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles 90028. Doors open at 3 p.m.
Barwick hails from Harlem, New York, but is originally from Laguna Beach, and calls herself Australian. She is a spitfire who has a gymnastics background in tumbling and was a member of a prizewinning cheerleading team. She also wrestled in high school.
Hru is an actress-waitress and originally from Florida. She has trained extensively in Los Angeles at Fortune Gym in West Hollywood. She has a strong background in wrestling, martial arts and is fighting for the first time as a pro.
The two social influencers are quite opposites personality-wise but do share an acidic distaste for each other.
Lately, influencer fights have become more common and are spreading across the globe. United Kingdom has staged several fight cards and even more have taken place in the U.S. It’s catching fire.
No head gear will be worn and both Hru and Barwick have been registered as professional fighters. Each trained in gyms for nearly three months to prepare for this showdown.
World Title Fights set
Top Rank announced that Seniesa Estrada will defending the WBA and WBC minimumweight titles against Argentina’s Leonela Yudica on Friday July 28 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Tickets are available.
Golden Boy Promotions announced Marlen Esparza will be defending the WBA and WBC flyweight titles against Argentina’s Gabriela Alaniz who holds the WBO flyweight title on Saturday July 8, at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
More Fight News
Argentina
Lourdes Grand (2-0-1) beat Nicole Morales (2-4-2) by decision after six rounds on Saturday June 17. The lightweight bout was held at Pontevedra.
Nancy Neyra (2-0) decisioned Maria De Los Angeles (4-2-1) after four rounds on Saturday June 17. The lightweight match took place at San Fernando. Also, featherweights Nicole Ferreyra (0-2-3) and Noelia Orieta (0-0-1) fought to a draw after four rounds.
Maria Ferreyra (6-0-1) knocked out Maria Angelica Ruiz (5-18-1) in the sixth round on Friday June 16. The super lightweight match took place at Villa Maria.
Australia
On Saturday June 24, light flyweights Jemma Peart (1-0) and Hannah Morgan (0-1) meet eight rounds for the Australian title at Surfers Paradise. Also, middleweights Desley Robinson (3-1) and Jamie Edenden (2-2) meet eight rounds for Australian title; and light heavyweights Che Kenneally (1-0) and Kate Langenhorst (0-0) meet eight rounds.
Belgium
Femke Hermans (16-4) won by knockout over Maria Lindberg (20-9-2) in the first round on Saturday June 17. The IBO super welterweight title fight took place at Roosdaal. Also, super welterweight Sedem Ama (2-0) beat Bianka Nagy (2-4) after six rounds.
Colombia
Carisse Brown (8-5) knocked out Carolina Mejia (1-7) in the second round on Saturday June 17. The featherweight bout was held at Melgar.
On Saturday June 24, featherweights Paulina Angel (4-1-2) and Jesica Racedo (0-1) meet six rounds in Barranquilla.
On Sunday June 25, featherweights Francia Bravo (24-6-2) and Monica Acosta (9-20) meet eight rounds.
Czech Republic
On Saturday June 24, super lightweights Maria Siedaia (0-0) and Pavla Kladivova (0-0) meet four rounds at Usti nad Labem.
France
Clothilde Del Ben (5-2) defeated Melina Ainaoui (2-2-1) by split decision after eight rounds on Saturday June 17. The French bantamweight title bout took place at Saint Dizier.
Lorye Ruyer (1-0) won by decision over Dunja Bocan (0-5) in a four round bout on Saturday June 17. The super lightweight contest took place at Yutz.
On Thursday June 22, featherweights Rima Ayadi (8-0) and Lucrecia Belen (6-3) meet eight rounds at Paris.
On Saturday June 24, super welterweights Marine Beauchamp (4-0) and Katrin Hodapp (0-2) meet six rounds at Bron.
Germany
On Saturday June 24, super welterweights Ema Kozin (22-1-1) and Halanna Dos Santos (14-11) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Alfdorf. Also, super lightweights Ikram Kerwat (12-3) and Abosede Akinsanya (5-0) meet 10 rounds for a title.
On Saturday June 24, minimumweights Sarah Bormann (16-0) and Perla Perez (6-7-1) meet 10 rounds at Ludwigburgs.
On Saturday June 24, featherweights Nina Meinke (16-3) and Kimika Miyoshi (17-13-2) meet 10 rounds for the WBA gold title at Rostock. Also, lightweights Dilar Kisikyol (8-0) and Farina Roemling (4-0) meet eight rounds.
Ghana
Adijat Gbadamosi (8-0) knocked out Patience Mastara (5-9-4) in the fifth round on Friday June 16. The African super bantamweight title fight was held at Accra.
Italy
Elisa Papa (3-0-1) won by decision after six rounds versus Antonina Cuti (0-2) on Sunday June 18. The bantamweight fight took place at Lazio.
On Saturday June 24, featherweights Valentina Angiolini (2-0) and Tracey Webber (0-1) meet six rounds at Civitavecchia.
Japan
Mizuki Hiruta (5-0) knocked out Casey Morton (11-4-3) in the first round on Tuesday June 13. The WBO super flyweight title fight was held in Tokyo. It was her first defense of the world title. Also, light flyweight Eri Matsuda (6-1-1) defeated Nanako Suzuki (7-3) by decision after eight rounds.
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, minimumweights Kanae Maehara (2-1-1) fights Mayumi Nakano (3-1) at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Also, minimumweights Mitsuki Ohashi (2-0) versus Sazanami Valu (2-0); and Hamburg Hiroko (2-3) versus Megumi Watanabe (2-0-2); atomweights Nao Ugawa (2-0) fights Sakura Kannari (0-1); flyweight Tomoka Ota (1-0) meets Moeko Amo (1-2); and welterweight Mana Kawaguchi (1-2) fights Risa Akagi (1-0).
On Wednesday June 21, super flyweight Tsunami Tenkai (29-13-1) meets Saowaluk Nareepamgsri (16-22) eight rounds at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Also, light flyweights Kurumi Saito (0-0) and Suzana Okonogi (0-0) meet four rounds.
New Zealand
Holly McMath (3-3) beat Emma Nesbitt (0-1) after four rounds on Saturday June 17. The super flyweight fight was held at Orewa.
Poland
Ewelina Pekalska (7-1) knocked out Tetiana Perevezentseva (0-7) in the third round on Saturday June 17. The atomweight bout took place at Szamotuly.
South Africa
Samantha Sneddon (1-1) beat Abongile Lubambo (1-1-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday June 17. The super lightweight bout took place at Cape Town.
Thailand
Sara Jalonen (4-2) defeated Usanakorn Thawilsuhannawang (18-4) by decision after six rounds on Sunday June 18. The super featherweight bout was held in Pathum Thani. Also, super fly Sawanya Srisawat (2-0) knocked out Waranya Srijan (0-1) in the second; plus minimumweight Yathinka Charoenying (1-0) knocked out Porwa Thamnawat (0-1) in the second.
Juthathip Sitthichen (2-0) won by knockout over Kwanruean Phothisaeng (0-1) in the first round on Saturday June 17. The minimumweight fight was held at Bangkok. Also, Fasai Wongkattaleekham (0-0-1) and Phatcharaphon Kransakun (0-0-1) fought to a draw.
United Kingdom
Kirsty Hill (4-1) defeated Linzi Buzynskyj (4-3) by decision after six rounds on Saturday June 17. The super featherweight fight happened in Grimsby.
Jasmin Harmitt (1-0) beat Angelika Oles (2-5) by decision after four rounds on Saturday June 17. The lightweight match took place in Birmingham.
Caroline Dubois (7-0) defeated Yanina Del Carmen (13-3) by decision after eight rounds on Friday June 16. The lightweight bout took place at London.
Stevi Levy (9-1) won by decision after six rounds against Svitlana Vasylevska (3-4) on Friday June 16. The super bantamweight match was held at Rotherham.
On Saturday June 24, super bantamweights Gemma Ruegg (6-7) and Wendelin Cruz (5-7-1) meet six rounds at Bournemouth; super middleweights Amy Cooper (0-0) and Ester Konecna (3-22-1) meet six rounds; and super flyweights Katerina Koutsog (0-0) and Svitlana Vasylevska (3-4) meet six rounds.
USA
Julissa Guzman (13-2-2) knocked out Ramla Ali (8-1) in the eighth round on Saturdday June 17. The super bantamweight title fight was held in New Orleans, Louisiana. Also, super flyweight Ginny Fuchs (3-0) beat Indeya Smith (6-8-2) by decision after eight.
On Saturday June 24, featherweights Nikki Hru (0-0) and Brooklyn Barwick (0-0) meet four rounds at Hollywood, California.
Venezuela
On Friday June 23, flyweights Jasneli Hernandez (16-0) and Yoselin Fernandez (12-3) meet 10 rounds at Caracas. Also, flyweights Yohandri Rondon (1-0) and Heidi Guariguan (0-4) meet four rounds.
On Saturday June 24, bantamweights Sara Suarez (2-0-1) and Xinnia Macia (2-2) meet four rounds at Caracas.
Vietnam
Thi Thien Ngan Do (1-0) beat Thi Lan Mai (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday June 17. The light flyweight bout was held at Ho Chi Minh City. Also, Thi Ngoan Luong (1-0) beat Ngoc Yen Phuong (0-2) by decision after four welterweight rounds.