Mikaela Mayer, Natasha Jonas, Cyborg and More News
By David A. Avila
(Photo by JP Yim)
Allies do fight each other.
England’s Natasha Jonas defends the IBF welterweight title against America’s Mikaela Mayer this weekend.
Both wanted and lobbied for it.
Jonas (14-2-1, 9 Kos) is a stylish southpaw who moved up in weight and found success. She meets Mayer (19-1, 5 Kos) a former super featherweight unified titlist on Saturday Jan. 20, at Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. ESPN+ will stream the card.
Both are products of the international Olympic boxing program and participated in the Olympic Games. From there they moved into the professional fight world and have accomplished more than winning world titles. They have also looked to push women’s prizefighting to higher levels.
Jonas never hesitated in engaging top competition including champions Terri Harper and Katie Taylor. And when both contests did not result in wins, she moved up three weight divisions and won the WBO super welterweight world title.
It was an amazing jump.
Mayer took a different and slower journey that saw her patiently develop a more suitable style to engage in professional boxing. After years of amateur boxing that values touches, not hard punches, Mayer’s team transformed her into a world champion.
England’s Jonas has a counter-punching style and power to keep the opposition from simply overwhelming her with punches. Whoever tries overwhelming her will be greeted with stunning power. She has nine knockout wins including Kandi Wyatt who she defeated for the welterweight title.
America’s Mayer is an aggressive and taller fighter who can fight inside or out. In her match with counter-puncher Alycia Baumgardner it was a very close match that did not go Mayer’s way. But instead of waiting for a rematch Mayer opted to move to a heavier weight class.
Here we are.
Mayer and Jonas were thinking alike in seeking a match with each other. Both are extremely competitive and know the value of fighting each other. Mayer, in particular, realized the fight would be more lucrative in the United Kingdom. And that is why this fight is taking place in Liverpool, home of the Beatles.
Both wanted three-minute rounds, but the Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom may block that.
Another typical promoter thinking he knows what is best for women.
Cyborg in Boxing
Former MMA great Cris Cyborg has taken up the boxing gloves and is slated to fight in Southern California this weekend.
Cyborg (1-0) meets Kelsey Wickstrum (2-0) in a super welterweight match scheduled for six rounds at Pechanga Casino in Temecula, California. This is reportedly Cyborg’s third pro boxing contest though her record on BoxRec.com only states one.
Though Cyborg made most of her fame in MMA she has sparred numerous times with pro boxers like Cecilia Braekhus, Claressa Shields and Maricela Cornejo. She also has been suspended for PED use.
Wickstrum, 36, is undefeated but with only two pro fights. She fights out of Northern California and made her pro debut almost three years ago when she upset Stevie Jane Coleman who was lauded as the next great American prospect. Wickstrum can fight.
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Baumgardner
The WBC finally issued a statement on the status of Alycia Baumgardner who tested positive for banned substances after a PED test. They ruled that though she did test positive, they felt it was not intentional. So, she was placed on probation until next July.
Baumgardner is forced to join VADA’s testing at her own expense. But her WBC super featherweight title was not stripped from her and she can defend it along with the other titles she holds.
The WBC was the main reason a PED test was taken for her fight with Christina Linardatou last July 15, in Detroit, Michigan. Their Clean Boxing Program was instituted to prevent cheating during world title competition.
Golden Boy Signs Fundora
IBF flyweight titlist Gabriel Fundora signed a co-promotional deal with Golden Boy Promotions it was announced on Tuesday Jan. 16.
Fundora recently captured the IBF title by knockout over Mexico’s Arely Mucino last October at the Kia Forum.
The 21-year-old Fundora is also co-signed by Sampson Promotions and will be fighting Christina Cruz on Jan. 27, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Kali Reis on HBO Series
World champion Kali Reis can be seen on the fourth series of True Detective that is being shown by HBO. She is the co-star along with Oscar winner Jodie Foster on the detective series called “Night Country” that supposedly takes place in Alaska.
Boxing fans know Reis as the two-division world titlist in the middleweight division and now the super lightweight division.
Critics have lauded her performance. Can’t wait to see the entire series.
More Fight News
Argentina
Maria Sol Baumstarh (10-6-1) defeated Leiryn Flores (21-5-1) by split decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Jan. 13. South American light flyweight title match took place in Buenos Aires.
On Saturday Jan. 20, bantamweights Laura Gomez (4-1) and Dalma Alaniz (1-1) meet six rounds at Canuelas.
Canada
Leila Beaudoin (11-1) won by decision after eight rounds over Elizabeth Chavez (4-6-3) on Saturday Jan. 13. The super featherweight bout took place at Quebec City.
On Saturday Jan. 20, flyweights Alexas Kubicki (8-1) and Isabel Millan (30-11-2) meet eight rounds at Edmonton.
Denmark
Elizabeth Oshoba (7-0) knocked out Michela Braga (6-1) in the ninth round on Saturday Jan. 13. The featherweight match was held in Copenhagen. Also, flyweight Snezana Siljkovich beat Emma Kirstein (0-1) by split decision after four rounds.
On Saturday Jan. 20, bantamweights Sofie Vinther (0-0) and Evelin Camporeale (3-7-1) meet four rounds at Gilleleje.
Germany
Tina Rupprecht (13-1-1) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds against Fabiana Bytyqi (20-1-2) on Saturday Jan. 13. The WBC atomweight world title match was held in Friedrichshain. Also, featherweight Lara Ochmann (12-2) beat Diana Kulinova (4-8) by knockout in the first round.
On Saturday Jan. 20, lightweights Mandy Bohm (1-0) and Karina Samalenberg (14-59-4) meet four rounds at Munich.
Japan
Mizuki Hiruta (6-0) knocked out Ji Hyun Park (26-4) in the sixth round on Friday Jan. 12. The WBO super flyweight world title fight took place in Tokyo. Also, atomweight Eri Matsuda (7-1-1) defeated Yuko Kuroki (22-8-2) by split decision in 10 for the WBA and WBO world titles; and Sumire Yamanaka (8-0) beat Mika Iwakawa (12-7-1) for the IBF atomweight title.
Thailand
Ketsara Jatpukdee (6-3) knocked out Sirikon Klangcharoen (1-1) in the second round on Saturday Jan. 13. The super flyweight fight was held in Pathim Thani. Also, featherweight Thanchanok Phanan (17-9) knocked out Phannarai Banghae (0-2) in the fourth; and super featherweight Noppaket Srisawas (6-1) knocked out Tiyaphon Daenpan (0-1) in the third.
Ramandeep Kaur (12-3) knocked out Rungnapha Kaewkrachang (17-19-1) in the fourth round on Friday Jan. 12. The minimumweight fight was held at Lam Luk Ka. Also, Praethip Pawuttinun (4-0) knocked out Kulatida Thongpradub (3-3) in the sixth; light flyweight Paksa Upatam (4-4) knocked out Kannika Bangnara (1-12) in four; Nattarat Prempida (6-4-1) knocked out Surachada Namrak (4-6) in four; and Netnapa Sunthorn (4-0) knocked out Ketmanee Chasing (2-5) in three rounds.
Suphannika Tanchoem (3-0) beat Sutaschar Suksudchep (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Thursday Jan. 11. The lightweight match was held at Pathum Thani. Also, minimumweight Panida Chatluang (6-8) defeated Wraphon Jaiteang (0-4) by decision after four; flyweight Niratchaporn Tanomsaksree (2-0) beat Thamonwan Phiokhao (0-8) after four; and flyweight Parika Pachai (1-3) knocked out Pailin Tanseemee (0-5) in one round.
United Kingdom
On Saturday Jan. 20, welterweights Natasha Jonas (14-2-1) and Mikaela Mayer (19-1) meet 10 rounds for the IBF world title at Liverpool, England. Also, featherweights Karriss Artingstall (5-0) and Lila Dos Santos (9-1) meet eight rounds.
USA
On Thursday Jan. 18, super welterweights Maria Arellano (0-0) and Eskeberli Duarte (0-0) meet four rounds at Nashville, Tenn.
On Friday Jan. 19, super welterweights Cris Cyborg (1-0) and Kelsey Wickstrum (2-0) meet six rounds at Temecula.
On Saturday Jan. 20, welterweights Elia Carranza (6-1) and Edina Kiss (16-19) meet eight rounds at Hollywood, Florida.
On Saturday Jan. 20, super lightweights Samantha Worthington (7-0) and Yazmin Rivas (40-11-1) meet 10 rounds at Louisville, Kentucky for a regional title.
(Photo by JP Yim)