Kenia Enriquez Defeats Ibeth Zamora and More Fight News
By David A. Avila
Whether its politics or envy, Kenia Enriquez has long been one of Mexico’s greatest fighters, yet without a world title.
Enriquez once again proved superior in defeating multi-division world champion and fellow Mexican Ibeth “La Roca” Zamora by unanimous decision this past Sunday in La Paz, Mexico. And once again she only receives an interim title, not the actual title.
Another example of politics by the WBC.
Though the petite fighter from Tijuana has not lost a fight since 2015 and ranked number one or two in the light flyweight rankings for multiple years, the WBC never saw fit to order the actual belt holder to fight Enriquez.
Oh, but they did give her the interim title. Basically, that designates her number one but not the actual world champion. For seven years Enriquez waited her turn to fight for the real light flyweight world title. That opportunity never came.
Last year Enriquez decided to move up to the flyweight division. Her win against Zamora was her fourth and most dangerous. But after 10 spirited and contentious rounds Enriquez was judged the winner.
“The constant jab and combinations from the outside,” were the recipe to defeat Zamora said Enriquez. “At times Zamora was able to close the gap but I had to go back to the jab.”
One judge gave her every round and two others gave her nine rounds.
Enriquez wants the flyweight world titles and knows who holds them.
“This is the first step for the ultimate goal to unify the division,” said Enriquez.
If she has her wish, the new interim titlist wants the actual titlist Marlen Esparza who holds the WBA, WBO and WBC flyweight titles.
“Marlen is next then the rest of the champions of the flyweight division,” said Enriquez.
Will she finally be allowed to fight for an actual world title?
Tijuana fights
Former featherweight world titlist Erika Cruz (15-2) is moving up a weight division and meets American fighter Melissa Odessa Parker (6-1) 10 rounds in a super featherweight clash in Tijuana. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card. Also, featherweights Skye Nicolson (7-0) and Sabrina Perez (18-1-1) meet 10 rounds for the interim WBC title.
It looks like Matchroom Boxing could be prepping Cruz and Nicolson for an eventual showdown later in the year if they both emerge victorious.
Yokasta Valle in LA area
Costa Rica’s Yokasta Valle (28-2) defends the IBF and WBO minimumweight world titles against Maria Santizo (11-3) on Saturday Sept. 16, at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, Calif. DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotions card.
Many fans hoped it would be Seniesa Estrada and Valle fighting for undisputed status. But that fight could not be made. Meanwhile, Estrada recently had surgery on her right hand.
IWBHOF
Less than a month remains before the International Women’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas on Oct. 6 and 7.
The two-day event begins on Friday Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. as IWBHOF honors Layla McCarter and Chevelle Hallback who have both fought for more than 25 years professionally. Also, a Pioneer Award will be given out to Jamie Johnson of the United Kingdom who participated in the first United Kingdom all-female fight card in 1994. And, writer Michael O’Neil of Ireland, who passed away, will be honored for his years of covering women’s boxing.
On Saturday Oct. 7, festivities begin at 5 p.m. with dozens of retired fighters honored for their immense contributions to the rise of women’s professional boxing. For ticket information go to this link: http://www.iwbhf.com/tickets.htm
More Fight News
Argentina
Sol Cudos (6-0-2) defeated Jazmin Gala (6-3-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Sept. 9. The South American minimumweight title match was held in Buenos Aires. Also, super lightweight Lorena Balbuena (1-0) beat Rocio Bastida (1-1).
Australia
Taylah Robertson (9-1) defeated Harma Yesti (1-2-1) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday Sept. 9. The super flyweight match was held in Eatons Hill.
Hayley Adrian (4-1) won by majority decision after eight rounds versus Connie Chan (3-5) on Saturday Sept. 9. The middleweight fight took place at Burleigh Heads.
On Saturday Sept. 16, super bantamweights Mariah Turner (1-0) and Flora Kilasa (0-1) meet eight rounds at Bowen Hills, Queensland.
Austria
On Saturday Sept. 16, welterweights Michaela Kotaskova (3-0-2) and Hasna Tukic (12-10) meet eight rounds in Vienna.
Canada
Vanessa LePage (6-1) beat Timea Nagy (3-2) by decision after six rounds on Friday Sept. 8. The cruiserweight battle was held at Gatineau.
Caroline Veyre (5-0) beat Karina Travieso (5-2) by decision after eight rounds on Thursday Sept. 7. The featherweight match was held in Montreal.
Colombia
Clarena Julio (1-1) won by decision over Angelica Araujo (0-1) after four rounds on Wednesday Sept. 6. The super lightweight fight took place at Santa Marta.
France
Amina Zidani (5-0) knocked out Liliana Palmera (31-15-3) in the seventh round on Saturday Sept. 9. The regional super featherweight title match was held at Caen. Also, super bantamweight Sabrina Flamand (2-5-1) beat Romane Geffray (7-5-1) in eight rounds.
Italy
Pamela Noutcho (6-0) defeated Nadia Flalhi (5-3) by decision after 10 rounds on Friday Sept. 8. The regional lightweight title match was held at Casoria.
On Saturday Sept. 16, featherweights Michela Braga (5-0) and Bethy Franco (8-5-1) meet six rounds at Lombardia.
On Sunday Sept. 17, featherweights Jessica Bellusci (3-0) and Eva Magno (0-1) meet eight rounds at Cantu. Also, light flyweights Consuelo Portolani (4-3) and Greta del Fabbro (0-5) meet six rounds.
Japan
Noa Sakamoto (5-0) knocked out Kanyarat Nunoi (3-3) in the fifth round on Sunday Sept. 10. The atomweight fight was held at Osaka.
On Sunday Sept. 17, super bantamweights Nodoka Furukawa (2-0) and Peeyalux Sanpokang (1-0) meet four rounds at Kitakyushu.
Mexico
Kenia Enriquez (27-1, 11 Kos) defeated Ibeth Zamora (33-8) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Sunday Sept. 10. The interim WBC flyweight match was held in La Paz.
On Friday Sept. 15, super featherweights Erika Cruz (15-2) and Melissa Odessa Parker (6-1) meet 10 rounds in Tijuana. DAZN will stream. Also, featherweights Skye Nicolson (7-0) and Sabrina Perez (18-1-1) meet 10 rounds for the interim WBC title.
On Saturday Sept. 16, super bantamweights Cecilia Santoscoy (2-7) and Rosalina Gomez (2-11) meet eight rounds at Zaragoza; super lightweights Ericka Herrera (1-0) and Fernanda Herrera (2-1) meet four;
Serbia
Nina Radovanovic (16-4) won by decision after eight rounds over Jasmina Nad (11-29-5) on Sunday Sept. 10. The flyweight match was held in Zajecar.
Switzerland
On Thursday Sept. 14, welterweights Anais Kistler (2-2) and Nikola Izova (2-1-2) meet six rounds at Carouge.
Thailand
Siriporn Taweesuk (41-5) knocked out Nomphon Kangkeeree (0-2) in the third round on Saturday Sept. 9. The light flyweight fight took place at Pathum Thani. Also, super featherweight Noppaket Srisawas (4-1) knocked out Siriyaporn Fansueb (0-1) in four; flyweight Arisara Wisetwongsa (6-4) beat Sudarat Pengjan (0-3); super flyweight Sawanya Srisawat (4-0) beat Benjarat Phattanawiboon (0-2).
United Kingdom
On Friday Sept. 15, super featherweights Vicky Wilkinson (5-1-1) and Kirsty Hill (4-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Wolverhampton, England.
On Saturday Sept. 16, bantamweights Laura Pain (3-0) and Ivanka Ivanova (5-23-3) meet six rounds at Harrow, England. Also, super bantamweights Roni Dean (1-0) and Karina Szmalenberg (14-57-4) meet six rounds.
On Saturday Sept. 16, super lightweights Jordan Barker (6-2) and Bojana Libiszewska (7-54) meet six rounds in Liverpool, England. Also, super welterweights Olivia Hussey (0-0) and Marija Zivkovic (1-16-1) meet four rounds.
On Saturday Sept. 16, super lightweights Bree Burbeary (3-0) and Sarah Worsfold (1-0) meet six rounds at Telford, England.
USA
Alexis Araiza (2-1-1) won by technical knockout over Jamie McGrath (4-1) in the second round on Saturday Sept. 10. The super flyweight match was held in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Savannah Tini (1-0) won by knockout over LeeAnn O’Malley (1-5) in the second round on Friday Sept. 8. The welterweight match was held in Detroit, Michigan.
Miranda Reyes (7-1-1) defeated Yazmin Rivas (40-11-1) by decision after six rounds on Friday Sept. 8. The lightweight bout took place in Houston, Texas.
On Thursday Sept. 14, super featherweights Josefina Vega (9-6) and Jaica Pavilus (3-6-1) meet six rounds in New York City.
On Friday Sept. 15, featherweights Jaclyne McTamney (0-0) and Brittany Dukes (0-4-1) meet four rounds at Philadelphia, Penn.
On Friday Sept. 15, super featherweights Ravven Brown (0-0) and Kavarcia Polk (0-1) meet four rounds at San Antonio, Texas.
On Saturday Sept. 16, minimumweights Yokasta Valle (28-2) and Maria Santizo (11-3) meet 10 rounds for the IBF and WBO world titles at Commerce, California. DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotions card.
On Saturday Sept. 16, middleweights Mary Casamassa (3-0) and Jozette Cotton (0-2-1) meet four rounds at Murrysville, Penn.
(Photo by Team Kenia Enriquez)