A Worldwide Proclamation by Amanda Serrano and More October News
By David A. Avila
With the ease of a queen Amanda Serrano proclaimed publicly via social media that rules separating men and women prizefighting will no longer bind her. The proclamation also includes the support of 26 other former and current female champions.
It’s a powerful statement by Serrano, meant to tell sanctioning organizations, promoters and other governing bodies that women fighters should be on equal terms with the men on all aspects of prizefighting.
With one swift move Serrano has also taken the reins as the queen or women’s boxing.
Who can argue otherwise.
As a seven-division world champion, with 30 knockout wins, and current undisputed featherweight champion of the world, no other can debate her place in the professional fight world.
She’s earned her place as boxing royalty.
On Tuesday morning Serrano issued a proclamation that includes the names of 26 other current and former champions. Labeled “Our Choice,” it states:
As women, we have had to fight inch by inch to earn the same equity and respect freely awarded to men. In our sport, we have made progress, but there is still far to go. For too long, we have been underpromoted and undercompensated. This has finally started to change as all of us have proven that women’s boxing captures the attention of sports fans and creates moments the world will never forget—and we created these moments despite how rarely we are afforded the same time and opportunity to showcase our skill as our male counterparts.
That is why today, we stand together with the desire and dedication to have the CHOICE of three-minute rounds, with 12 rounds for championship fights to demonstrate our skill and greatness. We have earned the CHOICE to build a more equal future for fighters everywhere. We hope boxing stakeholders support us just as we have supported them throughout our careers. This is our time, our right and our CHOICE. We are boxing.
Those supporting the proclamation are Mikaela Mayer, Anne Wolfe, Seniesa Estrada, Laila Ali, Christy Martin, Natasha Jonas, Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Heather Hardy, Christina Hammer, Chantelle Cameron, Sarah Mahfoud, Maricela Cornejo, Elena Reid, Britt Van Buskirk, Lisa Holewyne, Bonnie Canino, Layla McCarter, Miriam Gutierrez, Daniela Bermudez, Ramla Ali, Shadasia Green, Krystal Rosado, Maira Moneo, Evelin Bermudez, and Holly Holm.
For decades women’s boxing has been limited to two-minute rounds. For decades championship fights have been restricted to 10 rounds. Why?
A few promoters refuse to stage three-minute round fights and point toward the various boxing commissions. But no commission bars three-minute rounds for women. It all falls to the promoter’s wishes. There are no rules in boxing that dictate two-minute rounds or forbade 12-rounds for women.
More than a few women have already fought three-minute rounds such as Layla McCarter, Seniesa Estrada, Marlen Esparza and others. McCarter actually engaged Donna Biggers in a WBA world title fight set for 12 three-minute rounds on June 5, 2007 in Las Vegas.
One organization the World Boxing Council, or WBC, refuses to allow three-minute rounds or 12-round championship fights for women. It’s been a barrier for women ever since the WBC began to include women as boxing champions in 2005.
All the other major sanctioning organizations such as the WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO allow three-minute rounds or 12-round championship fights. But not the WBC and they have basically blocked progress for women’s boxing.
During the past seven years female prizefighters have sought to become undisputed world champions. To earn that distinction, they had to abide by WBC terms for two-minute rounds and 10-round championships. No longer.
Serrano’s proclamation basically tells the WBC, promoters and other similar anti-three minute round and 12-round title fight organizations, that no longer will they be dictating the rounds. The female fighters will decide.
It was long overdue and needed to be a concerted effort by the female champions.
Serrano has led the way.
On October 27, Serrano meets Danila Ramos in Orlando, Florida. They will meet for the featherweight titles in a match set for 12 three-minute rounds if necessary. DAZN will stream the event.
Fights to Watch
Tues. www.Boxinginsider.com 4 p.m. Christina Cruz (5-0) vs Josefina Vega (9-7).
Wed. ESPN+ 4 p.m. Femke Hermans (16-4) vs Mary Spencer (7-1).
More Fight News
Australia
On Sunday Oct. 15, super bantamweights Shanell Dargan (2-1-2) and Amber Amelia (3-1) meet eight rounds at Broadbeach.
Canada
Evelin Bermudez (19-1-1) defeated Kim Clavel (17-2) by split decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Oct. 7. The IBF and WBO light flyweight world title fight took place at Laval. Also, super lightweight Marie Pier Houle (9-1-1) beat Cindy Reyes; and featherweight Caroline Veyre (6-0) defeated Jessica Bellusci (4-1) after eight rounds.
On Wednesday Oct. 11, super welterweights Mary Spencer (7-1) and Femke Hermans (16-4) meet 10 rounds for IBO and IBF world titles at Montreal. Also, super featherweights Leila Beaudoin (9-1) and Estrella Valverde (19-11-2) meet eight rounds.
On Friday Oct. 13, lightweights Maxime Turcotte (0-0) and Estefania Orozco (3-7) meet four rounds at Montreal.
Colombia
Yohana Sarabia (10-0) won by decision over Ana Maria Lozano (24-12-1) after eight rounds on Saturday Oct. 7. The super bantamweight fight took place at Bogota.
On Tuesday Oct. 10, super lightweights Eucaris Pirela (0-0) and Katerin Tobon (3-2-1) meet four rounds at Santa Marta.
Czech Republic
Lenka Volejnikova (2-0) beat Gabriela Tomaskova (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Sunday Oct. 8. The lightweight match was held in Prague.
Denmark
Sarah Mahfoud (14-1) won by unanimous decision over Marcela Acuna (53-10-2) after 10 rounds on Saturday Oct. 7. The regional featherweight title match took place at Copenhagen.
Fiji
On Friday Oct. 13, welterweights Katerina Faleao (3-3-2) and Malakay Moukyaber (3-0-1) meet six rounds at Nadi.
France
On Saturday Oct. 14, super lightweights Lorye Ruyer (1-0) and Ksenija Medic (3-27-2) meet six rounds at Yutz.
Germany
Saida Bukvic (8-0) knocked out Angela Cannizzaro (6-21-1) in the third round on Saturday Oct. 7. The bantamweight match was held at Falkensee.
Phannarai Netisri (14-0) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Danielle Bennett (7-2) on Tuesday Oct. 3. The super bantamweight title fight took place at St. Pauli.
On Saturday Oct. 14, super bantamweights Bilgenur Aras (9-1) and Akhundtabarmazandarani (6-3) meet 10 rounds at Frankfurt.
Italy
On Friday Oct. 13, bantamweights Gloria Peritore (1-0-1) and Evelin Camporeale (3-7-1) meet eight rounds at Rome.
On Saturday Oct. 14, super lightweights Sonia Fracassi (1-0) and Immacolata Mancusi (0-4-1) meet six rounds at Rome.
Japan
On Sunday Oct. 15, atomweights Reika Kawaguchi (4-1-2) and Nao Ugawa (3-0) meet six rounds at Kyoto.
Mexico
On Friday Oct. 13, super bantamweights Yesenia Gomez (19-6-4) and Lorena Cruz (4-4) meet eight rounds at Cancun.
Poland
Laura Grzyb (10-0) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds over Stevi Levy (9-2) on Saturday October 7. The EBU super bantamweight title took place at Aleja Jana Pawla.
Ewelina Pekalska (8-1) defeated Aleksandra Madraszewska (0-1) by decision after six rounds on Thursday Oct. 5. The atomweight match was held at Lublin.
Spain
Jessica Cisneros (2-0) beat Eliana Medina (0-3) by decision on Saturday Oct. 7. The super lightweight fight took place at Marbella.
On Saturday Oct. 14, minimumweights Isabel Rivero (4-2-1) and Silviya Vasileva (0-2) meet six rounds at Leon.
Thailand
Siriporn Taweesuk (42-5) knocked out Chawala Wangarsa (0-4) in the fourth round on Sunday Oct. 8. The light flyweight fight was held at Pathum Thani. Also, Nattawee Kaewtum (2-0) beat Ratchanee Boonmee (0-4) by decision; super flyweight Sukanya Wiriya (1-0) beat Kewalin Homhual (0-2) by decision; and atomweight Sothita Sittichai (9-3) knocked out Chonthicha Chooma (0-2) in the second round.
Uganda
On Saturday Oct. 14, featherweights Grace Nabasumba (2-0-1) and Sandra Attermo (1-2) meet six rounds at Kasana. Also, bantamweights Salimat Tibesigwa (7-2) and Christine Aja (0-0) meet six rounds; and Lina Kasweka (7-2) and Valente Aciro (0-4) meet four rounds.
United Kingdom
Terri Harper (14-1-2) and Cecilia Braekhus (37-2-1) fought to a majority draw after 10 rounds on Saturday Oct. 7. The WBA and WBO super welterweight world title match took place at Sheffield, England.
Emma Dolan (6-0) defeated Nicola Hopewell (3-1) by decision after 10 rounds on Friday Oct. 6. The regional flyweight title fight took place at Sheffield, England.
On Saturday Oct. 14, bantamweights Jasmina Zapotoczna (4-0) and Kira Carter (0-2-1) meet six rounds at Oldham.
On Saturday Oct. 14, lightweights Ashleigh Johnson (0-0) and Kerry Orton (0-3) meet four rounds at Swansea, Wales.
USA
On Tuesday Oct. 10, flyweights Christina Cruz (5-0) and Josefina Vega (9-7) meet six rounds at New York City.
On Saturday Oct. 14, lightweights Stevie Morgan (8-0) and Calista Silgado (21-17-4) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Gadsden, Alabama.
On Saturday Oct. 14, featherweights Brandi Robinson (3-0) and Julie Metzner (1-5) meet four rounds at Rosemont, Illinois.
Venezuela
On Saturday Oct. 14, flyweights Yohandri Rondon (4-0) and Angie Colmenarez (0-5) meet six rounds at Caracas.
(Photo by team Amanda Serrano)