Anne Sophie Mathis, Yessica Chavez and Mary Jo Sanders in Hall of Fame and Other Female Fight News
By David A. Avila
Four female fighters will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at Canastota this year.
Mexico’s Yesica Chavez leads three others including France’s Anne Sophie Mathis, and American’s Mary Jo Sanders and Cathy “Cat” Davis to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in New York in June 2025.
Chavez was one of the queens of Mexican boxing during its hey day for female boxing. Many of her fights were televised nationally and her wars with Ibeth “La Roca” Zamora, Esmeralda “La Joya” Moreno and Japanese fighters Tsunami Tenkai and Naoko Fujioka thrilled her country.
She was a very skilled fighter during a period when women’s boxing was largely ignored in the USA, forcing some female Americans to sign contracts with Mexican promoters. Chavez held the light flyweight and flyweight world titles during her career.
Anne Sophie Mathis was a power hitter. When the French woman from Varangeville hit someone, they went down. The tall welterweight fighter had a no-nonsense attitude and was willing to travel to prove her superiority.
One of her most famous wins came against Holly Holm in 2011. Mathis traveled to Holm’s backyard in Albuquerque where she smashed through her guard and rendered the redhead unconscious to win the welterweight title. Six months later Holm won the rematch, but she was very leery of Mathis power.
Everyone was aware of the Frenchwoman’s power.
Mary Jo Sanders was a Michigan fighter in search of competition. The daughter of famous Detroit Lion receiver Charlie Sanders was extremely athletic and the first woman to win the WBC super lightweight title and the WBC welterweight title in 2006.
She fought during the same era as Holm and Mathis but only fought the New Mexico fighter. Their two battles were very close with Holm winning the first contest by decision in Albuquerque, She disputed the decision so they fought again, but this time in Auburn Hillls, Michigan. The rematch ended in a draw.
Sanders never fought again after the draw, but her talent was memorable.
Cathy “Cat” Davis was a New York welterweight who knocked out almost every opponent she faced from 1976 to 1981. Nearly six-feet tall, she traveled from Las Vegas to Seattle to Atlanta to Maine. It was a period in women’s boxing when it was difficult to find female opponents.
Davis was nominated in the pioneer category. During her era, though it was very difficult to find other female fighters let alone promoters willing to put up the money and time, she proved to be a very capable and entertaining pugilist.
Congrats on this year’s selection.
Marlen vs Arely in SoCal
Former flyweight champions Marlen Esparza and Arely Mucino never met in the boxing ring before, though both have been lacing up gloves for decades. Finally, they meet this weekend.
Esparza (14-2) fights Mucino (32-4-2, 11 Kos) at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California this Saturday Dec. 14. DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotions card.
Esparza, 35, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and former WBA and WBC flyweight titlist, lost her titles to Argentina’s Gabriela Alaniz this past April.
Mucino, 35, the former IBF flyweight titlist lost her title to Gabriela Fundora a year ago by knockout. She also previously won the WBA, WBC and WBO flyweight titles at different times.
It’s a contest featuring opposite styles with Esparza the defensive-minded athlete with quick hands and a counter-punching style that befuddles opponents. Most of her battles are very close to judge.
Mexico’s Mucino is a very offensive-minded fighter who fought in torrid wars in Mexico during the hey day for women. She has experienced plenty of wars against many of the female Mexican stars.
Both fighters are signed with Golden Boy Promotions and finally meet.
Welters in Liverpool
IBF and WBC welterweight titlist Natasha Jonas (15-2-1) defends against Ivana Habazin (23-5) on Saturday Dec. 14, in Liverpool, England. On that same card IBO welterweight Lauren Price (7-0) engages Bexcy Mateus (7-0) in a title defense.
Price, the 2021 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, has called out Jonas for a clash of champions. Perhaps, if both win, they could meet sometime next year. But there are plenty of options.
Middleweight IBF title in Australia
A battle for the vacant IBF middleweight world title between middleweights Kaye Scott (4-0) and Desley Robinson (8-3) takes place on Friday Dec. 13, at Sydney. Aussie fighters are getting their due now.
Ebanie Bridges and Skye Nicolson broke down the door for other women fighters who had been largely ignored for decades.
World Title match in Monte Carlo
Brazilian fighter Beatriz “the Beast” Ferreira (5-0) and France’s Licia Boudersa (23-2-2) meet 10 rounds for IBF world title at Monte Carlo. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing match.
This is Ferreira’s first defense of the title she won by technical decision over Yanina Lescano this past April in Liverpool, England.
Boudersa is veteran of 28 bouts and is the former IBO featherweight world titlist. She has battled many top European fighters and will be fighting near her country.
More Fight News
Argentina
Florencia Compiano (1-0) beat Maila Pelosso (0-8-1) in four rounds on Saturday Dec. 7. The super featherweight match was held in Villa Raffo.
Ludmila Corbalan (3-0) won by decision after four rounds against Rocio Portillo (0-1) on Saturday Dec. 7. The super fly fight was held in San Lorenzo.
On Friday Dec. 13, lightweights Maria Ines Ferreyra (10-0-1) and Lizbeth Crespo (15-8) meet 10 rounds for the South American title at Buenos Aires.
Australia
Stasia Waimaria (2-0) defeated Danni Mace (0-5) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Dec. 7. The featherweight bout took place in Loganholme. Also, bantamweight Ali Jensen (1-9) beat Deanne Gibson (0-1) in four.
On Friday Dec. 13, bantamweights Jasmine Parr (6-0) and Shannon O’Connell (24-8-1) meet 10 rounds for regional title at Sydney. Also, middleweights Kaye Scott (4-0) and Desley Robinson (8-3) meet 10 rounds for vacant IBF world title.
On Saturday Dec. 14, middleweights Chloe Chaos (4-1-1) and Anjali Anjali (1-0) meet four rounds at Flemington.
Belgium
On Saturday Dec. 14, lightweights Helene Connart (0-1) and Adelaide Mary (2-0-1) meet four rounds at Mons.
Canada
On Thursday Dec. 12, light flyweights Sara Bailey (4-0) and Anabel Ortiz (34-6) meet 10 rounds at Toronto.
Chile
Carolina Rodriguez (17-0) won by unanimous decision after six rounds against Natalia Alderete (5-15-2) on Friday Dec. 6. The featherweight fight took place in Santiago.
Colombia
Kalliopi Kourouni (19-4-1) knocked out Kairuan Montenegro (5-15) in the fourth round on Saturday Dec. 7. The super lightweight fight was held in Cucuta.
Rosalia Montes (1-0) knocked out Nayara Romero (0-2) in the first round on Friday Dec. 6. The light flyweight match was held in Cienaga de Oro.
Yenifer Rodriguez (13-12-2) won by technical knockout in the third over Maryori Munoz (2-3) on Wednesday Dec. 4. The super featherweight fight was held in Carmen de Apicala. Also, super bantam Flor Rodriguez (8-0) beat Angie Murcia (4-3) in six; and Angelica Padron (1-0) knocked out Glenny Escobar (0-1) in one.
Dominican Republic
On Thursday Dec. 12, super bantams Daniela Ramos (0-4) and Yeni Arias (1-0-1) meet six rounds at Santo Domingo. Also, Liliana Martinez (24-20) and Marjone Guzman (0-2) meet six.
France
Emma Gongora (9-3-1) won by technical decision after nine rounds versus Camilla Panatta (7-2-1) on Saturday Dec. 7. The featherweight match was held in Aix en Provence.
Romane Moulai (4-0) beat Estefania Matute (11-25) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday Dec. 7. The flyweight fight took place in Rosny sous Bois. Also, super bantam Cara McLaughlin (2-11) beat Anna Micard in four by majority decision.
On Saturday Dec. 14, welterweights Emilie Sonvico (1-0) and Francesca Taylor (0-3) meet four rounds at Nimes.
Germany
On Thursday Dec. 12, super flyweights Asley Gonzalez (16-2) and Mary Romero (10-6) meet 10 rounds for regional title at Rotherbaum. Also, atomweights Esneidy Rodriguez (8-0-1) and Sana Hazuki (12-9-1) meet 10 rounds.
On Saturday Dec. 14, minimumweights Jennifer Meza (9-3) and Sarah Bormann (18-1) meet 10 rounds for WBO world title at Karlsruhe. Also, super lightweights Raosa Maria Acosta (0-2-1) and Madeleine Mohrhardt (5-0) meet six.
Gibraltar
On Sunday Dec. 15, super welterweights Sedem Ama (3-0) and Ester Konecna (7-30-2) meet four rounds at Gibraltar.
Italy
Aleksandra Rapaic (2-3) defeated Sara Stirpe (0-1) after six rounds on Friday Dec. 6. The middleweight fight took place in Romagna.
On Friday Dec. 13, super lightweights Sonia Fracassi (4-0) and Amal Wahby (3-0) meet 10 rounds for Italian title at Rome.
Japan
Aori Matsuo (4-2-1) defeated Pompimon Pongpaew (4-5) by decision after six rounds om Sunday Dec. 8. The minimumweight match was held in Ube. Also, Ena Sakai (3-1) beat Ayumi Tanaka (1-4) in four.
Nanako Suzuki (9-3) knocked out Kullathida Kueasanor (7-4) in the third round on Saturday Dec. 7. The light flyweight match was held in Tokyo.
Yoshie Wakasa (9-4) won by decision after six rounds versus Kimika Miyoshi (17-16-2) on Friday Dec. 6. The Japanese featherweight title fight took place in Tokyo. Also, flyweights Nanae Yamaka 8-1) beat Mika Yagio (5-4-1) in six for the Japanese title; Mamiko Kageyama (1-1) beat Minami Hoshino (0-1) in four; and Miku Nagasaki (1-3-1) and Moeko Okada (2-1-1) drew after four.
Natsuki Yamada (2-2-3) beat Sakura Kannari (1-4) in four on Wednesday Dec. 4. The atomweight match was held in Tokyo.
On Wednesday Dec. 11, super lightweights Arisa Tsubata (0-0) and Pornkamon Thongpuk (2-0) meet four rounds at Tokyo.
Mexico
On Saturday Dec. 14, welterweights Prisca Vicot (15-8) and Paulina Cardona (26-33-7) meet 10 rounds form a regional title at Veracruz.
Monaco
On Saturday Dec. 14, super featherweights Beatriz Ferreira (5-0) and Licia Boudersa (23-2-2) meet 10 rounds for IBF world title at Monte Carlo.
New Zealand
On Friday Dec, 13, heavyweights Sequita Hemingway (3-6) and Maria Hunt 1-1) meet eight rounds at Stratford.
Puerto Rico
Stephanie Pineiro (8-0) beat Kalindra Faria (2-3) in eight rounds on Saturday Dec. 7. The welterweight fight took place in San Juan.
Russia
On Thursday Dec. 12, super welters Natalya Ledovskaya (0-2-1) and Elena Rodionova (0-0-1) meet six rounds at Moscow. Also, super bantams Alisa Zelenina (0-0) and Ayna Kakaeva (1-2) meet four.
South Africa
Tyla Promnick (1-0) beat Simamkele Genu (2-1) by decision after four rounds on Friday Dec. 6. The minimumweight match was held in Kempton Park.
On Sunday Dec. 15, super lightweights Simone Van Tonder (0-0) and Alima Nkosi (1-0) meet four rounds at Bloemfontein.
Thailand
On Wednesday Dec. 11, flyweights Viviana Ruiz (8-2) and Jittamat Phomta (7-6) meet eight rounds at Bangkok. Also, bantams Aisha Kamaleldin (2-0) and Wanasanan Onoot (5-1) meet eight; and super flyweights Pornapus Katipatee (1-3) and Phatcharaphon Kransakun (0-3-1) meet six.
United Kingdom
Lillie Winch (3-0) won by decision after six rounds versus Tereza Dvorakova (4-11) on Saturday Dec. 7. The lightweight fight took place in Brentwood.
On Friday Dec. 13, super fly Shannon Ryan (7-1) and Kate Radomska (4-4) meet eight rounds at Bethnal Green. Also, flyweights Maisey Rose Courtney (6-1) and Klaudia Ferenczi (20-117) meet six.
On Saturday Dec. 14, welterweights Natasha Jonas (15-2-1) and Ivana Habazin (23-5) meet 10 rounds for IBF and WBC world titles at Liverpool. Also, Lauren Price (7-0) and Bexcy Mateus (7-0) meet 10 rounds for IBO world title.
USA
On Thursday Dec. 12, featherweights Caroline Veyre (7-1) and Gabriela Bouvier (19-13-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Flint, Michigan. Also, super lightweights Samantha Worthington (9-0) and Jaica Pavilus (4-6-1) meet six rounds.
On Friday Dec. 13, middleweights Tammara Thibeault (0-0) and Natasha Spence (8-6-2) meet six rounds at Orlando, Florida.
On Saturday Dec. 14, super flyweights Marlen Esparza (14-2) and Arely Mucino (32-4-2) meet 10 rounds at Ontario, California.
On Sunday Dec. 15, super bantamweights Karla Valenzuela (3-34-3) and Candace Knepper (3-0) meet four rounds at San Antonio, Texas.