Movie “The Fire Inside” Based on Claressa Shields and More Female Boxing News 

 

By David A. Avila

Since the beginning of the motion picture industry the subject of prizefighting or professional boxing has been a popular topic.

In a few weeks a movie titled “The Fire Inside” about actual female world champion Claressa Shields will be shown worldwide on movie screens everywhere.

It’s a story most fans of women’s boxing know emphatically, but to the rest of the world it will uncover the sacrifices all pro fighters endure. And it will also reveal the pains and suffering Shields endured to reach the pinnacle of the boxing world. She’s done a lot.

Ever since she entered the pro boxing world in this publication we’ve tabbed Shields as the best fighter on the planet. I’ve never seen another female fighter do what she can do. It’s that simple.

When Shields arrived from the amateur boxing world where she captured two Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, she already had God-given athleticism. The quickness and agility Shields possessed allowed her to breeze by most opponents in the amateur world.

The pro fight world is different.

After learning the difference, Shields began training with John David Jackson and the former middleweight champion has added layers to her already impressive arsenal. She’s won undisputed championships in the super welterweight and middleweight divisions and also grabbed world titles as a super middleweight and heavyweight.

Most boxing fans know about Shields accomplishments, but few know the sacrifices made to attain the accolades. Now, a motion picture depicting her journey to become the best female fighter on the planet will be available for the world to see.

Mark Taffet, who manages Shields and other female prizefighters, said the film shows what Shields and all women endure to reach their goals.

“It typifies what women like Claressa have to go through. Women need to jump three times higher than men to reach their goals,” said Taffet. “It will connect fans with women’s boxing and with Claressa.”

The film is directed by Rachel Morrison the cinematographer of “The Black Panther” and produced by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins.

“The Fire Inside” debuts on Dec. 25.

 

Marlen vs Arely

Golden Boy Promotions announced that former flyweight champions Marlen Esparza and Aracely Mucino will meet on Saturday Dec. 14, at Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif. DAZN will show the fight card.

Esparza (14-2, 1KO) of Houston, Texas, held the WBA and WBC flyweight titles and lost a rematch with Argentina’s Gabriela Alaniz by split decision this past April 27, in Fresno, Calif. Most of her fights are very closely contested.

Mucino (33-4-2, 11 Kos) of Monterrey, Mexico, was the former IBF flyweight titlist and formerly held the WBA, WBC and WBO titles as well. She lost the IBF version to Gabriela Fundora by knockout a year ago on Oct. 21, 2023 in Los Angeles.

 

Mizuki in L.A.

Japan’s striking Mizuki Hiruta, the WBO super flyweight world titlist, recently signed with 360 Promotions and will make her American debut on Jan. 17, 2025 in the main event at Commerce Casino in Commerce, Calif. UFC Fight Pass will stream the card.

Topped with pink hair, the incredibly athletic Hiruta won the WBO title by decision against Kanako Taniyama two years ago. Hiruta has made two defenses since then winning both by knockout.

Hiruta now trains with Manny Robles in Los Angeles and is signed with 360 Promotions.

 

Nisa in NYC

New York police officer Nisa Rodriguez (2-0) will be fighting against Melody Popravak (2-1-1) on Tuesday Dec. 17, at Sony Hall in New York City. DAZN will stream the Boxing Insider Promotions card called “Holiday Fight Night 3.”

 

Tania Alvarez

Spain’s Tania Alvarez defended the EBU super bantamweight title against France’s Odelia Ben Ephraim and won  by unanimous decision last Saturday in Castellbisbal, Spain. It was her first defense of the title.

Alvarez (12-1, 2 Kos) lost only once as a pro and that came against current WBC featherweight titlist Skye Nicolson. That battle took place in New York City and showcased Alvarez’s aggressive non-stop style that gave Nicolson problems.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Micaela Lujan (15-2-1) beat Debora Gomez (8-14-2) by knockout in the sixth round on Friday Nov. 29. The super fly match was held in Quilmes.

Maria Mazzarello (6-2) won by split decision after 10 rounds against Laura Gomez (6-2) on Friday Nov. 29. The Argentine bantamweight title fight took place in Tortuguitas.

On Saturday Dec. 7, bantamweights Ludmila Corbalan (2-0) and Rocio Portillo (0-0) meet four rounds at San Lorenzo.

 

Australia

Mariah Turner (7-1) knocked out Pattarawan Thaosuwan (15-6) in the second round on Saturday Nov. 30. The featherweight fight was held in Fortitude Valley.

On Saturday Dec. 7, lightweights Stasia Waimaria (1-0) and Danni mace (0-0) meet four rounds at Loganholme.

On Saturday Dec. 7, super featherweights Reece Panetas (0-0) and Komet Jampatat (2-1) meet four rounds at Flemington.

On Saturday Dec. 7, super flys Erini Ramirez (3-2-1) and Holly McMath (4-4) meet six rounds at Traralgon.

 

Austria

Michaela Kotaskova (9-0-2) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Mikaela Lauren (33-8-1) on Saturday Nov. 30. The regional welterweight title fight took place in Vienna.

On Saturday Dec. 7, welterweights Denise Stanojev (11-0) and EVA Hubmayer (6-9-1) meet eight rounds at Vienna.

 

Bangladesh

Tannu Devi (3-0) beat Tanjila Tanjila (2-2) in six rounds on Friday Nov. 29. The flyweight fight took place in Dhaka. Also super fly Antora Brishti (1-0) defeated Jui Lima (5-2) in six; and featherweight Shamima Akter (3-0) knocked out Tanjila Akhtar (0-1) in two.

 

Canada

On Sunday Dec. 8, bantamweights Amanda Galle (10-0-1) and Niorkis Carreno (25-4) meet 10 rounds at Toronto for the IBO title.

 

Chile

On Friday Dec. 6, featherweights Carolina Rodriguez (16-0) and Natalia Alderete (5-14-2) meet six rounds at Santiago.

 

Denmark

Sarah Mahfoud (15-2) won by majority decision after 10 rounds against Danila Ramos (13-4) on Friday Nov. 29. The regional featherweight title match took place in Copenhagen. Also, heavyweight Mathias Hansen (6-0) knocked out Nemanja Kerejovic (1-6) in one; and flyweight Sofie Vinther (2-0) beat Snezana Siljkovic (6-19-3) in four.

 

Finland

Ester Koniecna (7-30-2) knocked out Hanna Rousu (3-1) in five rounds on Friday Nov. 29. The super middleweight match took place in Oulu.

 

France

Mailys Gangloff (11-5) defeated Jasmina Nad (11-33-5) in six rounds on Saturday Nov. 30. The bantamweight fight was held in Dijon.

Victoire Piteau (14-2) won by decision after 10 rounds versus Ioana Fecioru (7-3) on Saturday Nov. 30. The super lightweight match was held in Saint Maur.

Souad Masmoudi (5-2-1) beat Gordana Marjanovic (0-12) in six on Saturday Nov. 30. The flyweight match was held in Epernay. Also, Clothilde Del Ben (8-4) beat Tijana Draskovic (2-13) in six; and lightweight Adelaide Mary (2-0-1) knocked out Gordana Miolovanov (0-4) in two.

Wassila Lkhadiri (3-0) defeated Basilia Mancilla (8-11-2) after eight rounds on Friday Nov. 29. The bantamweight fight took place in Paris. Also, middleweight Davina Michel (1-0) knocked out Nora Komjathi (0-2) in five.

On Saturday Dec. 7, featherweights Emma Gongora (8-3-1) and Camilla Panatta (7-1-1) meet 10 rounds at Aix en Provence.

 

India

On Wednesday Dec. 4, super flys Anita Maurya (5-7) and Swetha V (2-0) meet four rounds at Bangalore.

 

Ireland

On Saturday Dec. 7, flyweights Tiana Schroeder (0-0) and Kinga Staniszewska (1-0) meet four rounds at Waterford.

 

Italy

On Friday Dec. 6, super welterweights Sara Stirpe (0-0) and Aleksandra Rapaic (1-3) meet six rounds at Roma.

 

Japan

On Wednesday Dec. 4, minimumweights Sazanami Valu (3-0-1) and Wisuta Sririttidet (7-4) meet six rounds at Tokyo. Also, atomweights Sakura Kannari (1-3) and Natsuki Yamada (1-2-3) meet four.

On Friday Dec. 6, featherweights Yoshie Wakasa (8-4) and Kimika Miyoshi (17-15-2) meet six rounds for the Japanese title at Tokyo. Also, flyweights Nanae Yamaka (7-1) and Mika Yagio (5-3-1) meet six for the Japanese title. Plus, flyweights Moeko Okada (2-1) and Miku Nagasaki (1-3) meet four; and Minami Hoshino (0-0) and Mamiko Kageyama (0-1) meet four.

On Sunday Dec. 8, minimumweights Aori Matsuo (3-2-1) and Pornpimon Ponpaew (4-4) meet six rounds at Ube. Also, atomweights Ena Sakai (2-1) and Ayumi Tanaka (1-3) meet four rounds.

 

New Zealand

Sheilla Yama (1-0) defeated Macca Jean (1-3) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Nov. 30. The super lightweight match took place in Hamilton.

Hanna Walker (4-0) won by decision after four rounds against Toni Moki (0-5) in four rounds on Saturday Nov. 30. The lightweight bout took place in Orewa.

Emma Nesbitt (6-1) knocked out Arisara Wisetwonga (7-9) in the first round on Friday Nov. 29. The light fly match was held in Auckland.

On Saturday Dec. 7, super lightweights Jadene Tredaway (0-0) and Macy Smith (0-0) meet four rounds at Lake Karapiro.

 

Nigeria

On Saturday Dec. 7, super featherweights Elizabeth Oshoba (8-0) and Hagar Elsayed (5-0) meet six rounds at Port Harcourt.

 

Panama

Nataly Delgado (16-7-2) defeated Rini Khoudari (6-1-1) by decision after 10 rounds on Friday Nov. 29. The super fly fight took place in Panama City. Also, light fly Eveling Ortega (9-5) defeated Susana Panameno (4-3) in eight.

 

Puerto Rico

On Saturday Dec. 7, welterweights Stephanie Pineiro (7-0) and Ogleidis Suarez (30-5-1) meet eight rounds at San Juan.

 

Qatar

Deji Olatunji (1-0) knocked out Davud Tirmizi (0-1) in the third round on Thursday Nov. 28. The light heavyweight match took place in Doha.

 

Russia

On Wednesday Dec. 4, bantamweights Karina Tazabekova (3-0) and Kudakwashe Chiwandire (6-3-1) meet eight rounds at St. Petersburg.

 

South Korea

Hye Soo Park (8-10-3) knocked out Bang Un Kim (0-7) in the fifth round on Saturday Nov. 30. The light flyweight fight was held in Okcheon.

 

Spain

Tania Alvarez (12-1) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Odelia Ben Ephraim (5-4) on Saturday Nov. 30. The EBU super bantamweight title fight took place in Casatellbisbal.

Evelin Camporeale (4-15-1) beat Sarai Umpierrez (3-3) by split decision after four rounds on Saturday Nov. 30. The bantamweight fight took place in Telde.

Cristina Navarro (6-2) won by decision after six rounds against Florencia Villarreal (1-5-3) on Friday Nov. 29. The minimumweight fight was held in Zaragoza.

Alba Sanchez (8-2) beat Eva Cantos (9-18-1) by decision after eight rounds on Friday Nov. 29. The Spanish featherweight title fight took place in Torrelodones.

 

Thailand

Sukanya Wiriya (3-2-1) and Patteera Tanapornchinpong (0-0-1) fought to a draw after six rounds on Sunday Dec. 1. The super flyweight fight was held in Pathum Thani. Also, flyweight Kanyarat Nunoi (9-7) knocked out Saengdaw Charam (0-5) in two.

Yanyu Li (3-2-1) knocked out Phanit Yongyut (3-4) in one round on Saturday Nov. 30. The super bantam fight was held in Thanyaburi. Also, Madeline Noonan (1-0) beat Phattarawadee Kananok (0-1) in six; super fly Natjima Thaosuwan (3-1) beat Dana Begzhanovia (0-1) in four; and minimumweight Wandee Sinongkhrot (1-0) beat Sylvia Von Duuglas-Ittu (0-1) in four.

 

United Kingdom

Jessica Barry (6-1) defeated Chelsey Arnell (4-2-1) by decision after 10 rounds on Sunday Dec.1. The featherweight match was held in Birmingham.

Jodie Wilkinson (1-1) defeated Kerry Orton (0-13) in four on Saturday Nov. 30. The super lightweight fight was held in Bolton.

Sasha Booker (1-0) won by decision over Ivanka Ivanova (6-29-4) after six rounds on Saturday Nov. 30. The super fly fight took place in Nottingham.

On Saturday Dec. 7, lightweights Lillie Winch (2-0) and Tereza Dvorakova (4-10) meet six rounds at Brentwood.

On Sunday Dec. 8, super lightweights Oriance Lungu (1-0) and Angelika Oles (3-13) meet six rounds at Bethnal Green.

 

Uruguay

On Saturday Dec. 7, super lights Sheila Liesegang (2-0) and Laura Espagnolo (1-0) meet four rounds at Montivedeo.

 

USA

Kalindra Faria (2-2) defeated Jennifer Perella (0-1) by split decision after four rounds on Wednesday Nov. 27. The super bantam fight took place in Andover, Mass.

On Friday Dec. 6, featherweights Jamie Driver (3-1) and Sonya Dreiling (2-3) meet six rounds at Pembroke Pines, Florida. Also,

On Saturday Dec. 7, super middleweights Jasmin Reed (2-0) and Anari Matthews (0-2) meet four rounds at Township, Michigan.

 

(Photo by social media)