Seniesa Estrada Unchained, Most Valuable Promotions, Miyo Yoshida and More News
(Photo by JP Yim)
By David A. Avila
When Seniesa “Super Bad’ Estrada injured an arm while defending her world titles, it took away the ability to prepare for the biggest fight of her life. For about a minute.
She soon adapted and could be seen working out one-handed.
Six months after suffering and arm injury last July in a title defense, Estrada is basically unchained and powering up.
“I’m 100 percent,” Estrada says.
East L.A.’s undefeated Estrada (25-0, 9 Kos) meets Costa Rica’s Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 Kos) at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on March 29. The Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions show will be aired on ESPN.
It’s a battle for undisputed status as the true minimumweight world champion of the world.
“Its something I’ve wanted since I signed with Top Rank,” said Estrada.
Not since the early 2000s have female fighters in the flyweight divisions or lower engaged in a matchup of equal magnitude. During that period Germany’s Regina Halmich battled fellow German star Daisy Lang in May 2004. And then followed that up twice against Arizona’s Elena “Baby Doll” Reid. All three woman are in the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame.
Halmich was also the last female fighter under 112 pounds making more than six figures. When she was in Las Vegas last year she conceded being paid well but could not reveal the actual numbers due to signing an agreement.
Now, Estrada will be battling Valle and both will be nearing or exceeding six figures in their battle for undisputed status.
The journey began early for Estrada.
Joe Estrada, Seniesa’s father, said that she was always interested in sports but was limited because of her size. And when they walked into a boxing gym she immediately fell in love with the sport.
“She never cared if she got hit,” said the father who served as the trainer through her childhood years at various gyms in the East Los Angeles area.
During her teens, they ventured to Montebello a suburban city next to East Los Angeles. They began training in the same gym as middleweight contender Sergio Mora. It was there they encountered Dean Campos the coach for Mora.
“I remember seeing her in the gym and noticed she always worked hard,” said Campos, who guided Mora to the WBC super welterweight world title in 2008. “At the time I never considered training women. I always said I would never train a woman.”
That changed.
The Estradas saw the unique style that Mora possessed and how the trainer Campos utilized different methods and moves. Joe Estrada asked Campos if he could train Seniesa.
Though Campos had vowed never to train a female, he changed his mind.
“She worked harder than any of the guys in the gym,” said Campos. “And she never questioned me.”
Under the boxing wizardry of Campos, both Mora and Estrada became world champions.
“How many trainers can say they brought their fighters to world titles from the ground up,” said Campos.
Pros Over Amateurs
Estrada spent nine years in the amateur program and could be seen competing in various tournaments in Southern California. She even caught the interest of the Los Angeles Times and was the subject of a series on her boxing prowess.
Amateur boxing provided Estrada the ability to face and compete with other young girls throughout the country. But when it came to international competition her unique style just didn’t fit their standards.
“Every time I would slip under a punch, the referees would stop the fight and tell me not to do that,” recalled Estrada. “And body punches didn’t count for anything.”
Estrada soon left the amateurs in one of the worst periods for women’s boxing. From 2009 until 2016 no female fighters were featured on American television. It was a dead zone for all women. No American promotion company had a single female fighter.
Despite the dearth of opportunities, Estrada’s first pro fight was May 13, 2011 on a Gary Shaw Productions show at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez. She defeated Maria Ruiz by decision and a delirious crowd cheered the win.
Two months later she agreed to fight on a Golden Boy Promotions card at Fantasy Springs Casino. A day before the scheduled fight Estrada was urged by photographers to step on the scale before the actual weighing. A supervisor for the California State Athletic Commission saw her step on the scale and jotted down that she weighed too little to face an opponent who weighed 112 pounds. After discussion with the officials Estrada was allowed two hours to gain the needed weight. Several bags of cookies, water and a bottle of soda helped add pounds. She also won the fight.
For the next three years Estrada could not find an opponent or promoter willing to put her on a card.
It was a grim time and though female MMA was getting considerable traction with the emergence of Ronda Rousey and others, female boxing was in its darkest period in decades.
When Estrada was finally able to wrangle a fight, it came against her last opponent Blanca Raymundo and this time she stopped her in two on a Roy Englebrecht show in Orange County. A year later she fought at the Inglewood Forum and faced former bantamweight Carley Batey and beat her after knocking her down.
From 2015 to 2018 the speed and alacrity of Estrada began impressing crowds as she defeated much bigger flyweights, super flyweights and bantamweights. And when Golden Boy Promotions decided to sign the East L.A. female fighter that enabled Estrada to finally perform at her correct weight 105 pounds.
“She can actually make 102 pounds too,” said Joe Estrada.
In March 2021, she grabbed her first world title with a dominating performance over WBA minimumweight world titlist Anabel Ortiz. Then beat Tsunami Tenkai for the WBO light flyweight title on July 2021 and Tina Rupprecht for the WBC minimumweight title in March 2023.
She’s ready to add more.
Amanda Serrano and MVP
The accidental eye injury to Amanda Serrano two days before the scheduled match with Germany’s Nina Meinke eliminated the rare occurrence of two female bouts that were set for three-minute rounds.
Serrano’s talented protégé Krystal Rosado-Ortiz battled Gloria Munguilla in four sizzling three-minute rounds and pulled out a majority decision win. Had Serrano fought it would have been a very rare time that two female fights participated in three-minute rounds.
Hopefully, Serrano can recover and bring back two female fights under the three-minute format. The seven-division titlist continues to break down barriers.
Her promoter Jake Paul, who along with Nakisa Bidarian head Most Valuable Promotions, paid Nina Meinke her purse despite the fight not taking place. It was a first class move.
Miyo Yoshida
IBF bantamweight world titlist Miyo Yoshida agreed to be represented by New York attorney Keith Sullivan it was announced on Monday.
“I believe that he will be able to advance my career forward by becoming my manager,” said Yoshida.
Yoshida, 35, who is also known as the “Fighting Single Mother,” moved a year ago from her native Japan to New York. This past December she was asked to replace an opponent for then IBF champion Ebanie “The Blonde Bomber” in less than two weeks-notice. Yoshida won the title convincingly.
The mother of a seven-year-old daughter is formerly a two-time super flyweight champion.
“Many senior Japanese women have paved the way for me without giving up,” Miyo said of other Japanese world champions. “I would like to follow in their footsteps and pave the way for my juniors.”
More Fight News
Argentina
Sol Cudos (7-0-2) defeated Roxana Colmenarez (9-3-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday March 2. The South American minimumweight title match took place in Buenos Aires. Also, lightweight Maria Ferreyra (8-0-1) beat Nicole Morales (2-6-2) in six; and bantamweight Fatima Maidana (2-0) beat Daiana Ortiz (2-1-1) in four.
On Saturday March 9, featherweights Lucrecia Manzur (9-4) and Laura Griffa (20-10) meet 10 rounds for the South American title at San Miguel.
Australia
Stephanie Lee (6-0) beat Pam McClelland (3-3-1) by decision after six rounds on Friday March 1. The super featherweight fight was held in Flemington. Also, middleweight Chloe Chaos (3-1-1) beat Connie Chan (3-7) in six.
Bangladesh
On Friday March 8, super bantamweights Brishti Khatun (2-0-1) and Jui Lima (2-0) meet six rounds at Dhaka. Also, minimumweights Sanjida Jannat (1-0-2) and Mehakpreet Mehakpreet (0-2) meet four rounds.
Canada
On Thursday March 7, heavyweights Vanessa Lepage (6-1) and Abril Argentina (10-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBC world title at Montreal.
Colombia
Natalia Jimenez (1-2) knocked out Josefina Travecedo (0-2) in the third round on Thursday February 29. The super lightweight fight was held in Santa Marta.
Czech Republic
Katarina Cavajdova (1-0) won by unanimous decision after six rounds versus Klaudia Ferenczi (20-109-10) on Saturday March 2. The bantamweight fight was held at Usti nad Labem.
Dominican Republic
On Friday March 8, welterweights Dahianna Santana (40-15) and Lina Tejada (13-5-1) meet 10 rounds at Santa Domingo.
Finland
Serwa Palani (3-0) beat Gabriella Mezei (11-35-5) by decision after four rounds on Saturday March 2. The featherweight fight took place in Kirkkonummi. Also, featherweight Jonna Hakkarainen (1-0) defeated Dunja Bocan (1-8-1) in six; and super bantamweight Tiia Rantakyla (2-0) beat Joice Alves Dos Santos (1-1) in six.
France
Lauryne Brankaer (4-0) defeated Cara McLaughlin (1-9) by decision after six rounds on Saturday March 2. The bantamweight fight was held in Rennes.
Rima Ayadi (10-0) defeated Licia Boudersa (21-2-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Thursday Feb. 29. The EBU super featherweight title match took place in Enghien.
On Saturday March 9, super bantamweights Sarbrina Flamand (2-5-1) and Romane Geffray (7-5-1) meet 10 rounds for the French title at Caen.
On Saturday March 9, flyweights Selma Renier (4-0) and Ivette Garcia (0-2) meet six rounds at Capestang.
Germany
On Saturday March 9, lightweights Mandy Bohm (2-0) and Eva Hubmayer (5-6-1) meet four rounds at Munich.
On Sunday March 10, bantamweights Melina Maibaum (6-0) and Diana Kulinova (4-9) meet six rounds at Karlsruhe. Also, lightweights Patricia Lager (1-0-1) and Sabine Hempel (0-7) meet four rounds.
Ghana
On Tuesday March 5, super bantamweights Sangeeta Birdi (4-5) and Pearl Adjetey (0-3) meet 10 rounds for the Tanzania title at Accra.
India
On Saturday March 9, light flyweights Ramandeep Kaur (13-3) and Khushdeep Kaur (1-1) meet six rounds at Bangalore.
Ireland
Cheyanne O’Neill (1-0-1) defeated Bojana Libiszewska (7-61) by decision after six rounds on Friday March 1. The welterweight fight took place in Dublin.
Italy
Bianca Voglino (3-0) won by unanimous decision after six rounds against Dragana Golic (0-15) on Saturday March 2. The super bantamweight fight took place at Rome.
Japan
Sana Hazuki (11-8-1) knocked out Juthathip Sitthichen (6-1) in the fourth round on Sunday March 3. The atomweight match was held in Fukuchimachi. Also, Ena Sakai (1-0) beat Mizuki Matsuoka in four.
On Friday March 8, bantamweights Suwanan Akapunya (3-2) and Nana Yamashita (4-2) meet six rounds at Tokyo.
Mexico
On Friday March 8. Bantamweights Diana Fernandez (30-4-1) and Soledad del Valle (13-13-5) meet eight rounds in Tijuana.
Nicaragua
On Friday March 8, light flyweights Eveling Ortega (6-5) and Yanissa Castrellon (4-1) meet eight rounds at Managua.
Puerto Rico
Krystal Rosado-Ortiz (3-0) won by majority decision after four three-minute rounds versus Gloria Munguilla (5-1) on Saturday March 2. The super flyweight fight took place in San Juan.
South Korea
Nanako Suzuki (8-3) knocked out Eun Young Huh (8-6-1) in the second round on Friday March 1. The light flyweight match took place in Seoul.
Spain
Isabel Rivero (7-2-1) was victorious by split decision after 10 rounds versus Minerva Gutierrez (3-4) on Sunday March 3. The minimumweight fight took place in Valladolid.
Natalia Francesca (6-3) beat Davinia Perez (8-5) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday March 2. The bantamweight match was held in Badia del Valles. Also, flyweight Chaimae Bounouar (1-0) beat Jessica Brunet (0-4) in six.
On Saturday March 9, flyweights Jessica Brunet (0-4) and Florencia Villarreal (1-3-1) meet four rounds at Bilbao.
Thailand
Ram Bhateri (3-0) knocked out Irada Suparsakon (2-8) in the third round on Friday March 1. The minimumweight fight took place in Lam Luk Ka. Also, Praethip Pawuttinun (6-0) knocked out Arisara Sanon (0-1) in the fourth; and flyweight Nattarat Prempida (8-4-1) knocked out Kanokkan Wichaiyo (0-1) in the fourth.
Angelina Lukas (7-1) knocked out Kadesara Jadpakdee (7-4) in the fourth round on Thursday Feb. 29. The super flyweight fight was held in Bangkok. Also, Phannaluk Kongsang (13-13-1) knocked out Inthira Pengkrajom (3-4) in the second; bantamweight Wichuda Chaotrakan (2-0) knocked out Watida Lunlawong (0-2) in one; and atomweight Watcharaporn Namphon (9-1) knocked out Chutinan Khonghoi (3-5) in two rounds.
Weerawan Kedsukkee (8-0) beat Nitinart Plabplerng (6-2) by decision after eight rounds on Thursday Feb. 29. The light flyweight match was held in Pathum Thani. Also, super flyweight Wassana Kamdee (10-10) knocked out Saranyaphong Theinthong (3-17) in five; and minimumweight Panidda Pachai (1-4) knocked out Amonrat Wongpiyamarat (0-4) in the third.
Parika Pachai (2-3) defeated Thamonwan Phiokhao (0-9) by decision after four rounds on Tuesday Feb. 27. The light flyweight fight was held in Pathum Thani. Also, light flyweight Niratchaporn Tanomsaksree (3-0) knocked out Pailin Tanseemee (0-6) in the first.
On Sunday March 10, minimumweights Roma Yousaf (5-1-1) and Phakamat Suepsoda (1-2) meet six rounds at Bang Pakong.
Ukraine
Oksana Bondarenko (5-0) defeated Olena Skoblyk (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday March 2. The super lightweight fight took place in Odessa.
United Kingdom
Paige Mumey (4-0) won by decision after six rounds versus Lenka Volejnikova (3-1) on Saturday March 2. The lightweight match took place in Leicester.
Jade Grierson (3-0) defeated Patricia Gonzalez (2-5-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday March 2. The super welterweight fight was held in Nottingham.
On Saturday March 9, super bantamweights Tysie Gallagher (6-2) and Gemma Ruegg (7-10-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at London.
On Saturday March 9, Roha Hudson (0-0) and Ester Konecna (3-26-2) meet four rounds at Coventry.
USA
Chevelle Hallback (34-9-2) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Yamila Reynoso (13-16-3) on Saturday March 2. The welterweight match took place in Tampa, Florida.
Alexis Araiza (3-1-1) defeated Amy Salinas (6-5) by split decision after six rounds on Friday March 1. The super flyweight fight was held in El Paso, Texas. Also, bantamweight Bree Howling (6-0) knocked out Noemi Bosques (12-20-3) in the first round; Brittany Sims (6-3) beat Beata Dudek (3-1) in six; lightweight Stephanie Han (6-0) knocked out Nikola Izova (3-3-3) in one; and heavyweight Danielle Perkins (4-0) knocked out Timea Nagy (3-3) in two.
Abril Anguiano (4-0) defeated Melissa Holguin (4-2) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Friday March 1. The featherweight match was held in San Antonio, Texas. Also, Ravven Brown (2-0) beat Karla Valenzuela (3-31-3) in four; super featherweight Reina Tellez (6-0-1) defeated Simone Aparecida (17-31) in six; super bantamweight Candace Knepper (3-0) beat Tonia Cravens (2-10-2) in four.
On Thursday March 7, featherweights Chiara Dituri (7-0) and Jaica Pavilus (3-6-1) meet six rounds in New York City.
On Saturday March 9, middleweights Pasene Asuega (2-1) and Kaitlin LaVigne (2-2-1) meet four rounds at Hope Mills, North Carolina.
Venezuela
Leiryn Flores (22-5-1) knocked out Angie Colmenarez (0-7) in the first round on Tuesday Feb. 27. The light flyweight fight took place in Caracas.