Women’s Boxing Hungers for Exposure; Bantamweights, Flyweights and More News
By David A. Avila
(Photo by JP Yim)
Women’s prizefighting. One day a television or streaming media outlet will realize its potential.
Success does not come instantly and exposure is key to women’s boxing. We’ve seen the sudden impact social media stars like Jake Paul are accomplishing in boxing in a short period. Exposure is key.
But once a fighter gains exposure, then keeping fan interest is the second step. And tickling the fancy of fans is the third step.
Let’s take Skye Nicolson for example who will be fighting Raven Chapman on October 12, on the Matchroom Boxing card in Saudi Arabia. It’s a supporting fight on the Dmitry Bivol versus Artur Beterbiev light heavyweight clash.
Nicolson has all the physical tools necessary to attract fans and the skills to maintain a lofty position. Currently she’s adapting to a more professional fighting style to entertain fans. That’s very important.
Almost all fighters strive to remain undefeated and that’s where the problems begin. Promoters can’t allow fighters to pick easy foes.
Everybody gets beat. Even those that retired undefeated as pros lost as amateurs because they couldn’t pick and choose their opponents.
Handpicking opponents is the main problem of pro boxing. It’s not a mystery.
Fans do not want to see a one-sided fight. They want drama. They want 50/50 fights. That’s why Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano sold out Madison Square Garden and more than 1 million pay-per-views on television.
Magic Wand Fights
If I had a magic wand, a tournament between the best bantamweights in the world would be my first wish.
Denmark has a fighter named Dina Thorslund who dominates the competition in her home country. Does she win because of hometown judging or can she truly fight?
Thorslund defeated Mexico’s Yuliahn Luna Avila, Turkey’s Seren Cetin, Spain’s Mary Romero and Argentina’s Debora Anahi Lopez. But all those wins took place in Denmark. Its time to test her skills outside of Denmark in neutral territory.
Bantamweights who could battle Thorslund are Ebanie Bridges, Miyo Yoshida, Cherneka Johnson, Nina Hughes, and Diana Fernandez.
Promoter Lou DiBella has already expressed wishes to put together a bantamweight tournament. All that is needed is a media outlet willing to bankroll the tourney. Everyone wants success and they want it now. Taking a chance on a bantamweight tournament will succeed if done right. And if its followed up. One and done wont do.
Commitment is needed.
Women’s boxing has always been a winner but getting exposure is the problem. One day a media company will gamble on female prizefighting and hit the jackpot.
How about those flyweights?
Recently, IBF titlist Gabriela Fundora proclaimed she wants to be undisputed and challenged Argentina’s Gabriela “La Chucky” Alaniz who holds the WBC and WBO titles.
Hold your horses.
Fundora is talented no doubt. But instead of fighting actual number one contenders she is already skipping credible opponents for easy pickings.
In her last fight she opposed Chile’s Daniela Asenjo who had not fought as a flyweight in six years. Why did the IBF sanction the fight? And why waste a television opportunity on a very beatable foe.
Kenia Enriquez of Mexico is the top flyweight in the world and Fundora has joined the list of world titlists avoiding the Mexican fighter from Tijuana. It seems no champion wants to hear the name Kenia Enriquez. For 10 years every light flyweight champion avoided her, so she moved up to the flyweight division.
Now Fundora and Alaniz are avoiding her.
Is Enriquez the most feared fighter in the world?
Gung Ho Fighters
In one month, Mikaela Mayer challenges Sandy Ryan for the WBO welterweight world title on Sept. 27, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. ESPN will televise and stream the fight.
Both fighters have always been willing to face anyone and now they face each other. It should be a bang-up collision between one of England’s best and one of America’s best.
Ryan was fed stiff competition from the beginning including two bouts against Argentina’s experienced champion Erica Farias. Then she fought Jessica McCaskill to a draw and then stopped former champion Terri Harper.
Mayer has eagerly accepted fights against top competition that included France’s Maiva Hamadouche, Alycia Baumgardner and Natasha Jonas. Her lone losses took place in Great Britain, but this time she will be fighting a Brit on home grounds. It should be a tremendous battle.
More Fight News
Argentina
On Saturday Aug. 24, super bantamweights Nazarena Romero (13-0-2) and Paulette Valenzuela (17-3) meet 10 rounds at Panama COS; also super lightweights Lorena Balbuena (1-0) and Viviana Palavecino (1-0) meet four.
Australia
Nicila Costello (5-4-1) knocked out Sarah Watt (4-7-2) in the first round on Saturday Aug. 17. The Australian super flyweight title fight took place in Mansfield.
On Friday Aug. 23, middleweights Desley Robinson (7-3) and Mapule Ngubane (13-8-3) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Flemington.
On Saturday Aug. 24, super middleweights Alana Moussa (0-0) and Siriwan Thongmanit (6-14-1) meet four rounds at Flemington.
Canada
Leila Beaudoin (12-1) defeated Lizbeth Crespo (15-8) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Aug. 17. The super featherweight regional title fight took place in Quebec.
Colombia
On Saturday Aug. 24, heavyweights Minellis Blanco (5-0) and Paola Herrera (14-9-2) meet 10 rounds at Sahagun.
Germany
On Saturday Aug. 24, super bantamweights Melina Maibaum (10-0) and Urvashi Singh (11-3) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Hockenheim.
Hungary
On Sunday Aug. 25, featherweights Zsanett Milak (0-0) and Gabriella Mezei (11-35-5) meet four rounds at Salgotarjan.
Japan
Anera Osawa (0-0-1) and Gretel De Paz (7-6-3) fought to a majority decision after six rounds on Monday Aug. 19. The bantamweight fight was held in Yahiyo.
Misato Sawaki (1-0-1) defeated Tomoka Kojima (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Sunday Aug. 18. The minimumweight fight was held in Gifu. Also, super bantamweight Mai Nishi (1-0) knocked out Rihu Muto (0-1) in the first round.
Mauritius
On Friday Aug. 23, middleweights Jorbelle Malewu (0-0) and Emily Kubwalo (2-10) meet four rounds at Vacoas-Phoenix.
Mexico
Layla McCarter (46-13-5) defeated Beatriz Aguilar (7-10-1) by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Saturday Aug. 17. The welterweight fight took place in Jiutepec.
New Zealand
Nailini Helu (4-5-1) beat Tinta Smith (1-3-1) by split decision after eight rounds on Saturday Aug. 17. The super middleweight fight was held in Hamilton.
South Africa
Super featherweights Seleleko Zulu (1-1-2) and Nonkululeko Mncube (0-0-1) fought to a majority draw after four rounds on Sunday Aug. 18. The match was held in Durban.
South Korea
Minimumweights Ryu Kyung Suh (7-0-3) and Kanae Maehara (3-2-2) fought to a majority draw after six rounds on Thursday Aug. 15. The match was held in Cheonan.
Spain
Maria Peral (6-0) defeated Jasmina Nad (11-32-5) by decision after six rounds on Friday Aug. 16. The minimumweight fight was held in Santander. Also, super featherweight Marian Herreria (7-2) beat Immacolata Mancusi (1-10-1) in six.
Thailand
Denise Castle (5-4) knocked out Panida Chatluang (8-10) in the fourth round on Saturday Aug. 17. The regional atomweight title fight was held in Hua Hin.
Kadesara Jadpakdee (9-6) knocked out Rawiwan Saikrajang (1-9) in the second round on Saturday Aug. 17. The flyweight fight took place in Pathum Thani. Also, bantamweight Tanwarat Saengiamit (11-6-1) knocked out Suphisara Chaingam (0-3) in four; light flyweight Natthanan Sangiamchit (4-1) knocked out Jiraporn Chompuwiset (0-8) in four; super featherweight Natjima Thaosuwan (2-1) knocked out Ananta Patumtaweeporn (0-1) in three; and super flyweight Kanokwan Wirunpat (1-0) knocked out Palalee Worasiri (0-2) in four.
United Kingdom
Victoria Perkins (3-1) defeated Ashleigh Johnson (2-1) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Aug. 17. The British super bantamweight title match was held in Llanelli, Wales.
On Saturday Aug. 24, bantamweights Sophie Rodgers (1-1) and Kira Carter (0-8-1) meet four rounds at Newcastle.
USA
Peggy Whitmore (5-0) defeated April Murphy (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Friday Aug. 16. The lightweight match was held in Huntington, West Virginia.
On Tuesday Aug. 20, welterweights Precious Harris-McCray (3-0) and Sonya Dreiling (6-5) meet four rounds at Nashville. Also, super featherweights Lindsey Ellis (2-0) and Sarah Click (1-7-1) meet four.
On Friday Aug. 23, super bantamweights Maureen Shea (31-2-1) and Judit Hachbold (5-20) meet eight rounds at Hollywood, Florida.
On Friday Aug. 23, super flyweights Alexis Bolduc (1-1) and Sara Couillard (0-1) meet four rounds at Boston, Mass.
On Friday Aug. 23, featherweights Jaclyne McTamney (2-0) and Martyna Krol (0-0) meet four rounds at Philadelphia, Pa.
On Saturday Aug. 24, super welterweights Elia Carranza (8-1) and Chris Namus (25-8) meet eight rounds at Miami, Florida.
On Saturday Aug. 24, super featherweights Shaunteya McNair (0-0) and Andy Nguyen (0-1) meet four rounds at Morrisville, North Carolina.
Uruguay
Micaela Dominguez (3-2) won by split decision after six versus Micaela Diaz (7-1) on Friday Aug. 16. The lightweight bout took place in Punta del Este.