America’s Marlen Esparza Battles Argentina ‘s Gabriela Alaniz to Unify Flyweight Titles
(Photo by Al Applerose)
By David A. Avila
In a quest to become undisputed flyweight world champion Marlen Esparza must past through dangerous punching Gabriela “Chucky” Alaniz of Argentina.
It’s yet another South American fighter but Alaniz is one of the truly hard-punching fighters from the southern continent.
Houston’s Esparza (13-1, 1 KO) faces Argentina slugger WBO flyweight titlist Alaniz (14-0, 6 Kos) on Saturday July 8, at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotions card.
Alaniz can really crack.
One thing about Texas native Esparza, she can take a punch.
Against hard-hitting Seniesa Estrada she absorbed blow after blow without going down. She also slugged it out with Japan’s Naoko Fujioka and Mexico’s Ibeth “La Roca” Zamora. None were able to knock out Esparza.
Of course, the Texan who won a Bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympics only has one knockout of her own. She relies on speed, agility and controlling the ring. Against Alaniz, she will need all those skills to be on point.
Alaniz has speed on her punches and can be deadly accurate. She brutalized Tamara DeMarco from the opening bell. She disposed of one of the Bermudez sisters in Roxana Bermudez in five rounds. And she stopped Debora Rengifo in the ninth round last September. It was her first defense of the WBO world title.
Fighting Esparza in Texas, the Argentine fighter will have to convince the judges with proof of dominance by more than just accurate blows. Alaniz will need at least a knockdown. Only “La Roca” Zamora was able to floor Esparza who then took over the fight and won by decision.
Over the years Esparza has adapted to the pro style and learned how to deal with fighting in the pocket when necessary. Her last two battles against Eva Guzman and Naoko Fujioka showcased what she’s learned. The days of running around the ring are no longer evident.
Now as a pro, Esparza has proven to be very durable and knows how to adapt. One thing missing has been power. But not all fighters have power. And so far, only one former foe Seniesa Estrada has been able to defeat her.
More than a few think Alaniz is capable of toppling Esparza’s goal of becoming the undisputed champion. Regardless, it will be worth watching. The winner will surely face IBF titlist Arely Mucino for undisputed status.
Looking Back at Manchester
Natasha Jonas continues to surprise the boxing world with her skilled attacks and understated power. Her boxing tools allow her to jump up and down weight classes with ease. Now she has the IBF welterweight title.
When the Olympian connected and dazed the very strong Kandi Wyatt, she showed her experience in not emptying her tank. Jonas does have a very good boxing IQ.
She is now right in the middle of two or three weight divisions and able to accept or challenge numerous world champions for some hefty paydays. It’s what prizefighting is all about.
More Fight News
Argentina
Maria Sol Baumstarh (8-6-1) knocked out Sofia Mendez (4-3) in the first round on Saturday July 1. The South American light flyweight title match took place at Buenos Aires. Lightweight Maira Moneo (13-1) knocked out Alys Sanchez (17-9-1) in the ninth round for the interim WBA title.
Micaela Dominguez (1-0) beat Brisa Alfonzo (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Friday June 30. The super featherweight bout was held at Buenos Aires.
Australia
Riley Powers (2-0) knocked out Laitia Yalikitoga (2-4) in the fourth round on Friday June 30. The light heavyweight battle was held at Revesby. Also, super flyweight Kayla Iwikau (1-0) beat Ali Jensen (0-6) after four.
On Saturday July 8, flyweights Jasmina Parr (3-0) and Brianna Harrison (2-0) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Southport.
On Saturday July 8, featherweights Stephanie Lee Cutting (2-0) and Nantachat Wanpeng (4-1) meet four rounds at Flemington.
Brazil
On Sunday July 9, lightweights Happy Daudi (12-13-1) and Bertha Steven (0-0) meet six rounds at Buza.
Chile
On Saturday June 8, super flyweights Daniela Asenjo (13-3-3) and Natalia Alderete (4-13) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Valdivia.
France
Jeyssa Marcel (10-0) defeated Carla Campos (5-2) by technical knockout in the fourth round on Wednesday June 28. The bantamweight title fight was held at Garges Les Gonesse.
Germany
Alicia Winter (14-1) knocked out Mariami Nutsubidze (1-4) in the third round on Saturday July 1. The super lightweight bout was held at Bernau.
Italy
Jessica Bellusci (3-0) knocked out Dunja Bocan (0-6) in the fourth round on Sunday July 2. The featherweight fight took place at Cantu.
Tiziano Barilotti (7-1-1) knocked out Sven Zammit (0-1) in the third round on Saturday July 1. The super welterweight bout took place at Ostia. Also, bantamweight Simona Salvatori (9-1) knocked out Rita Ashton (0-3) in three, Giuseppina Di Stefano (7-1-1) beat Antonina Cuti (0-3) in six; super bantamweight Anna Lisa Brozzi (5-3) beat Eva Magno (0-1) in six; light flyweight Mery Di Bari (1-0) beat Chiara Gregoris (2-1) in six; lightweight Sonia Fracassi (1-0) knocked out Leonora Pace (0-1) in three.
Veronica Tosi (5-2) knocked out Nela Scocilca (0-1) in the second round on Saturday July 1. The bantamweight fight was held at Lombardia.
Michela Braga (5-0) defeated Alessia Vitanza (2-4) by split decision after 10 rounds on Friday June 30. Italian featherweight title bout took place at Grosseto.
Vittoria Parigi (3-0) won by decision after six rounds versus Snezana Siljkovic (4-14-3) on Thursday June 29. The light flyweight bout was held at Emilia Romagna.
New Zealand
On Saturday June 8, welterweights Tricia Mackenzie (1-1) and Ayisha Abied (2-5) meet four rounds at Opunake.
Netherlands
Abbygail Deekman (2-0) defeated Daisy Preston ()-7-1) by decision after four rounds on Sunday July 2. The bantamweight match was held at Rotterdam.
Spain
Isabel Rivero (4-2-1) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds against Griselda Torollari (2-2) on Friday June 30. The regional light flyweight title match was held at Valladolid.
Thailand
Nanthika Panyakhid (5-0) knocked out Kannika Bangnara (1-10) in the fifth round on Friday June 30. The light flyweight match took place at Lam Luk Ka. Also, Chuyu Liu (1-0) knocked out Ketmanee Chasing (2-2) in one; super bantamweight Thanyarat Jaiklom (3-0) knocked out Suwanun Antanai (4-11) in the fourth.
Wenie Cline (10-0) beat Monthawee Srisongkhram (2-2) by decision after six rounds on Thursday June 29. The super flyweight bout was held at Bangkok. Also, minimumweight Hin Ting Chan (1-0) beat Sukanya Wangarsa (0-2) in four.
United Kingdom
Savannah Marshall (13-1) defeated Franchon Crews-Dezurn (8-2) by majority decision after 10 rounds on Saturday July 1. The undisputed super middleweight championship match took place in Manchester, England. Also, Natasha Jonas knocked out Kandi Wyatt (11-5) in the eight round to win the IBF welterweight title; super welterweight April Hunter (7-1) beat Kirstie Bavington (7-5-2) by decision after eight;
Marie Connan (6-2) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Kate Radomska (3-3) on Saturday July 1. The regional flyweight title match was held at London.
Wendellin Cruz (6-8-1) defeated Kerry Orton (0-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday July 1. The lightweight bout took place at Yorkshire, England.
Beatriz Ferreira (3-0) defeated Karla Zamora (10-10-1) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday July 1. The super featherweight match was held at Sheffield, England.
On Saturday June 8, featherweights Ebonie Jones (3-0-1) and Wendellin Cruz (6-8-1) meet six rounds at Portsmouth. Also, super lightweights Hannah Dos Santos (14-11) and Kate Smith (0-0) meet six rounds.
USA
On Friday July 7, middleweights Olivia Curry (7-1) and Katharina Lehner (1-1) meet six rounds at Rosemont, Illinois. Also, super bantamweights Brandi Robinson (2-0) and Amber Swift (0-1) meet four rounds.
On Saturday July 8, flyweights Marlen Esparza (13-1) and Gabriela Alaniz (14-0) meet 10 rounds for the WBA , WBO and WBC world titles at San Antonio, Texas.