Women’s Boxing: Dependence on Social Media is Not Enough for Exposure

 

By David A. Avila

Pro boxing is entertainment.

Bragging that you won a title in only four or five bouts is not a good thing. Putting fans in the seats should be every fighter’s goal. Not speed at attaining a title.

Understand you are a professional.

Pro boxing is not amateur boxing. It’s about making the most money you can make as a professional fighter. It’s prizefighting, not title gathering.

“Toto, I guess we’re not in Kansas anymore,” as Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz.

If you want to gather medals and titles stay in the amateurs. But if you want to earn enough money to start your own company or business you need to build your fan base. It’s as simple as that. The more fans the more money and success.

Lately, I’ve been witnessing a small group of fighters scoffing at boxing reporters. Many fighters illogically think television or streaming interviews is all they need. Wrong.

Fans that watch those interviews on DAZN or ESPN are already boxing fanatics. As a fighter you should be after the people who don’t subscribe, who are on the fence, not the subscribers. They are already hooked. You need to interview with everyone.

A few pro fighters really understand, like Ebanie Bridges.

While many may look sideways at Bridges, she sells tickets and provides interviews with numerous media outlets. The blonde Aussie truly understands the game. Perhaps the reason she understands is she spent time with Mexico’s Mariana “La Barby” Juarez, the legendary prizefighter from Mexico City.

Juarez has been fighting since boxing was underground in Mexico in the late 1990s. During the darkest days of women’s boxing, she was one of half a dozen fighters capable of earning six figures a fight. I once asked her what was the secret to her popularity and how can women’s boxing succeed?

“I never turned down interviews or requests for interviews,” said Juarez, who is a former flyweight, super flyweight and bantamweight world champion. She also is the most recognized female boxer in Mexico.

In April 2017, more than 400,000 people saw Juarez fight and defeat Catherine Phiri of Zambia for the WBC bantamweight world title. That match took place in the Zocalo the center of Mexico City. No other fighter has ever attracted a crowd as large.

Yes, it was a free event. But tell me any fighter today that can attract a crowd that big? Free or not.

Today, social media is rampant, but few fighters use the outlet to let people know they are boxers or have an upcoming fight. Instead, they post clothing or places they are visiting. That’s ok. But let people know when and where you are fighting and what you are all about. And talk to every reporter possible.

Mikaela Mayer gets it. Amanda Serrano gets it. And a few others understand the need for letting people know all about women’s boxing. But women’s boxing needs all its participants to understand the need for exposure. Social media is not enough. You need all types of media to spread your word. Exposure is key.

The more the merrier.

A pro fighter’s career is very short. I know plenty of fighters male or female who retired undefeated or had titles but nobody knows who they are today. Don’t let that be you.

 

Jessica Camara

Canada’s Jessica Camara defends the WBA gold lightweight title against fellow countrywoman Bonnie Hunter on Saturday Sept. 14, in Montreal.

Camara defeated South Korea’s Hyun Mi Choi in her homeland last April by split decision after 10 rounds. That was an amazing accomplishment. There have been some crazy decisions in Korea. One particular fight that comes to mind is the robbery against Mariana Juarez when she fought Myung OK Ryu in March 2005. It was an even fight and both were freely exchanging when the referee suddenly stopped the fight and gave the win by knockout to the Korean fighter.

Winning a world title in another country is quite an accomplishment. Now Camara defends the gold title.

 

IBF Light Heavyweight Title

Lani Daniels defended the IBF light heavyweight title and defeated Bolatito Oluwole by unanimous decision in Hamilton, New Zealand. She also has the IBF heavyweight title.

Maybe a match could be made between America’s Claressa Shields who recently snatched the WBC heavyweight and the WBO light heavyweight titles by knockout last July.

 

Misfits Boxing

During the past five years social media darlings like Elle Brooke have been venturing into prizefighting. The blonde from London, England with a big punch quickly picked up the basic fundamentals and is doing serious damage.

Brooke (2-0-1, 2 KOS) faces another MMA fighter in Jennifer Clausius (0-0) on Saturday Sept. 14, in Newcastle, England. DAZN will stream the Misfits Boxing card.

Last May, Brooke nearly toppled professional MMA fighter Paige VanZant in a boxing match. The veteran fighter had never been knocked down or knocked out. After Brooke dropped VanZant early in the fight, the veteran fighter rallied and the match ended in a draw.

Brooke has serious punching power and improves every fight.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Tamara Fernandez (1-0-2) beat Victoria Moreyra (1-6-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Sept. 7. The super fly bout was held in Rafael Calzada.

Lujan Martinez (2-0) beat Mia Nievas (0-1-1) in four on Saturday Sept. 7. The bantamweight fight was held in Buenos Aires. Also, super lightweight Priscila Rios (2-1-1) defeated Ailen Roldan (2-5) in four. Plus super flyweights Carolina Ferrari (3-5-3) and Camila Avaca (2-4-3) fought to a draw after four.

On Saturday Sept. 14, lightweights Maria Ferreyra (9-0-1) and Johen Gonzalez (7-0-2) meet 10 rounds for the South American title at Villa Maria.

 

Australia

Louisa Hawton (12-2) defeated Viviana Ruiz (8-2) by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Saturday Sept. 7. The regional flyweight title fight was held in Joondalup.

Jemma Peart (5-0) won by majority decision after eight rounds versus Mishelle Macatangay (1-1) on Saturday Sept. 7. The Australian light fly title fight took place in Condell Park. Also, light fly Chloe Grech (2-0-1) beat Sarah Higginson (4-6-1) in four.

Stasia Waimaria (1-0) knocked out Casey Waiters (0-1) in one round on Saturday Sept. 7. The featherweight fight was held in Surfer’s Paradise.

On Saturday Sept. 14, light heavyweights Emma Greentree (0-0) and Stephanie Mfongwot (3-2) meet six rounds at Thornton. Also, lightweights Taylah Gentzen (5-0) and Maureen Chand (3-5) meet four.

 

Bangladesh

On Saturday Sept. 14, flyweights Brishti Khatun (3-1-1) and Papri Sutradhar (0-1) meet four rounds at Dakhar. Also, minimumweights Bithi Akter (0-1) and Papri Sutradhar (0-1) meet four.

 

Canada

Mary Spencer (9-2) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds against Naomi Mannes  (7-3-1) on Thursday Sept. 5. The super welterweight match took place in Montreal.

On Saturday Sept. 14, lightweights Jessica Camara (13-4) and Bonnie Hunter (4-3) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Montreal. Also, Maxime Novosedlik (1-0) and Natali Fagan (0-0) meet four.

 

Colombia

Dyana Vargas (20-2) defeated Angela Marciales (12-13-3) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday Sept. 7. The featherweight fight took place in Cucuta. Also, Elise Soto (6-0) knocked out Yenifer Rodriguez (12-12-2) in the first round.

Bexcy Mateus (7-0) knocked out Paulina Cardona (26-33-7) in the fifth round on Friday Sept. 6. The welterweight fight was held in Bogota. Also, super fly Yenny Caceres (2-0) defeated Dari Hernandez (2-2) in four.

 

Hungary

On Saturday Sept. 14, super featherweights Izabeli Devenyi (0-0) and Gabriella Mezei (11-35-5) meet four rounds at Kiskunhalas.

 

Japan

Kaho Munetoshi (4-1) defeated Noa Sakamoto (6-2) by decision after six rounds on Sunday Sept. 8. The atomweight fight was held in Osaka.

 

New Zealand

Lani Daniels (11-2-2) defeated Bolatito Oluwole (9-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Sept. 7. The IBF heavyweight world title fight was held in Hamilton.

Sequita Hemingway (3-6) defeated Cheyenne Whaanga (1-1) by majority decision after six rounds on Saturday Sept. 7. The heavyweight fight took place in Auckland.

Katie Thompson (1-0) won by decision over Tania Barnett (0-2) after four rounds on Friday Sept. 6. The super lightweight fight was held in Porirua.

 

Spain

On Saturday Sept. 14, featherweights Sarai Umpierrez (2-1) and Antonina Cuti (1-10) meet six rounds at Las Palmas.

 

Sweden

Patricia Berghult (17-1) won by decision after six rounds versus Vaida Masiokaite (10-25-5) on Saturday Sept. 7. The welterweight match was held in Katrineholm.

 

Thailand

Kaye Scott (4-0) won by decision over Thanthip Wannaphrom (0-1) after four rounds on Saturday Sept. 7. The super welterweight fight was held in Bangkok.

Super bantamweights Nian Lu (0-0-1) and Sasitorn Phanthed (0-3-1) fought to a draw after six rounds on Thursday Sept. 5. The match took place in Bangkok.

 

United Kingdom

Kate McLaren (5-1-2) defeated Bojana Libiszewska (7-66) after six rounds on Saturday Sept. 7. The welterweight match took place in Brentwood. Also, lightweight Lillie Winch (2-0) beat Katherine Quintana (0-31-1) in six.

Charlotte Powell (5-1-1) beat Klaudia Ferenczi (20-113-10) in six. The super fly fight was held in Liverpool.

Angelika Oles (3-13) won  by decision after six rounds versus Annabelle Lloyd (0-2) on Saturday Sept. 7. The super lightweight fight took place in Swindon.

Doina Costin (2-0) defeated Kira Carter (0-10-1) by decision after four rounds on Friday Sept. 6. The super featherweight fight was held in Northampton.

On Saturday Sept. 14, welterweights Jade Grierson (4-0) and Vaida Masiokaite (10-25-5) meet six rounds at Grantham.

On Saturday Sept. 14, super bantamweights Stevi Levy (10-3) and Amy Greatorex (1-8) meet eight rounds at Sheffield.

 

USA

Bree Howling (8-0) won by unanimous decision after eight rounds against Beata Dudek (4-4) on Friday Sept. 6. The bantamweight fight took place in Tampa, Florida. Also, super fly Natalie Dove (3-0) beat Wendy Villegas (2-4) after four.

On Friday Sept. 13, super lightweights Chevelle Hallback (34-9-2) and Melanie Shah (0-0) meet six rounds in Tampa, Florida.

 

Uruguay

Aldana Pons (4-2-1) beat Yamila Belen (18-7-1) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday Sept. 7. The Argenine super lightweight title fight was held Paysandu. Also, flyweight Daiana Ortiz (4-1-2) beat Agustina Vazquez (3-2-2) in four.