Japan’s Mizuki Hiruta Defends World Title on American Shores and More News and Notes
(Photo by Al Applerose)
By David A. Avila
It’s the dream of every Japanese fighter to perform in America.
WBO super fly world titlist Mizuki Hiruta (6-0, 2 Kos) finally makes her American debut this Friday Jan. 17, against Mexico’s very tough Maribel Ramirez (15-10-4, 3 Kos) at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, Calif. UFC Fight Pass will stream the 360 Boxing Promotions boxing card.
“Coach Manny (Robles) and I have worked very well together and I look forward to putting on a show for the boxing fans and my Japanese supporters at the fight and those watching on UFC Fight Pass,” said Hiruta at the press conference.
By the way, it’s also Ramirez debut in America too.
Two years ago, the affable Hiruta visited California shores and stayed with friends to experience Los Angeles and nearby towns and establishments. She ate Mexican food in Riverside, Jewish delicatessen delights at Canters in L.A. and checked out the boxing scene too.
It was love at first sight.
After being introduced to famed boxing trainer Manny Robles she was able to engage a little with his impressive roster of female fighters such as Ramla Ali. The Japanese champion vowed to come back. She was already a world champion and needed to fulfill contract obligations in Japan before making any change.
Another obstacle was finding a sponsor in America. That’s not easy.
After working out a few weeks with Robles in his gym in South Gate, a suburban city in Los Angeles County, he recommended the pink haired warrior to Southern California promoters.
One promoter extremely interested was Tom Loeffler, who has a history of staging female fights including an incredible event in Los Angeles headed by the Vitali Klitschko versus Lennox Lewis heavyweight main event. On that same June 2003 card, featured Laila Ali versus Valerie Mahfoud and Lucia Rijker versus Jane Couch.
It was an incredible boxing event and turned out to be Lewis last pro fight after six bloody heavyweight rounds. It was also one of the few times that boxing fans were able to glimpse four of the more incredible female fighters in history.
That was Loeffler’s doing.
After establishing 360 Boxing Promotions in 2017 he’s always tried staging female fights. After watching Hiruta perform in the boxing gym, he was convinced to sign the Japanese star to perform on his upcoming card. Also joining Hiruta are two local stars Gloria Munguilla and Iyana “Roxy” Verduzco in separate bouts.
This is the Japanese southpaw’s third defense of the WBO world title and may be her toughest to date.
Ramirez, a veteran from Mexico City, has fought numerous world champions over the years and is one of the few fighters who can claim victory in countries outside of her native Mexico. She has two wins in New Zealand, a draw in Chile, wins in Peru, and Switzerland.
Surprisingly, Ramirez has never fought in the USA.
Hiruta, 28, is extremely athletic and was a former gymnast in Japan. She began boxing while in high school and has managed to wow Japanese audiences in her brief pro experience. Now, after working with Robles the past two years, has learned how to harness power into her blows.
Both Hiruta and Ramirez will be baptized to American audiences on Friday.
“I’m thrilled to make my U.S. debut on January 17, this is a dream come true for me,” said Hiruta.
Expect a fire fight. Whenever Japanese and Mexicans meet in the boxing ring it tends to be explosive.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
Dubois and Camara Clash
Last weekend, England’s Caroline Dubois and Canada’s Jessica Camara met in Sheffield in a world title clash. And clash they did with heads colliding and Camara emerging with a gash by her left eye.
Dubois scored a quick knockdown from a left cross down the middle. But if you know Camara, she rose quickly and withstood the British fighter’s onslaught while sneaking a few counters. It was reminiscent of Camara’s fight with former world champion Heather Hardy a few years ago. In that fight Hardy scored a quick knockdown of Camara, but subsequently lost by decision.
In the second round the powerful Dubois let loose again and once again Camara withstood the blows and countered. Both absorbed blows but Camara emerged with the cut over the left eye from a butt and a swollen right eye from Dubois powerful blows. Camara did not look good.
The fight was stopped three seconds into the third round when it was halted by the referee and ruled a technical draw. Dubois retains the WBC and IBO lightweight titles and showed that the United Kingdom has yet another elite fighter.
Dubois looks to be a force in the lightweight division.
More Fight News
Argentina
Romina Garro (1-1) defeated Victoria Romero (0-5) by majority decision after four rounds on Saturday Jan. 11. The bantamweight fight took place in Roque Perez.
On Saturday Jan. 18, super flyweights Mia Nievas (0-1-2) and Micaela Torres (0-2) meet six rounds at San Miguel del Monte.
Australia
Shauna Browne (5-0) won by split decision after 10 rounds against Taylah Gentzen (6-1) on Friday Jan. 10. The title fight was held in Broadbeach.
China
Xidi Wang (1-0) beat Hong Huo (0-1) by majority decision after four rounds on Sunday Jan. 5. The light flyweight fight was held in Tianjin.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
On Thursday Jan. 16, lightweights Chamulia Okota (1-0) and Tshibangu Ndaya (2-1) meet four rounds at Kinshasha.
On Friday Jan. 17, lightweights Niati Misama (0-1) and Keren Phoba (1-0) meet six rounds at Kinshasha.
France
On Saturday Jan. 18, featherweights Narymane Benloucif (3-1) and Laela EL Ksiri (2-3-1) meet eight rounds at Tours.
Japan
On Friday Jan. 17, super flyweights Yuna Kimura (1-0) and Maiko Iwasaki (1-0) meet four rounds at Tokyo.
Thailand
Wisuta Srirrittidet (8-5) knocked out Phunnakaran Kamjanawong (4-5-1) in the fourth round on Saturday Jan. 11. The atomweight fight took place in Pathum Thani. Also, lightweight Pornkamon Thongpuk (3-1) knocked out Kullasatree Nualsomsri (0-6) in three; Noppaket Srisawas (10-3) knocked out Amporn Pachai (0-3) in two; and light flyweight Porwa Thamnawat (1-1) knocked out Suphansa Phimpha (0-3) in the second.
United Kingdom
Caroline Dubois (10-0-1) and Jessica Camara (14-4-1) fought to a technical draw after three rounds on Saturday Jan. 11. The fight was stopped due to a cut due to a clash of heads. Dubois scored a knockdown in the first but according to rules the fight was ruled a technical draw. The WBC world title match was held in Sheffield, England.
Sara Orszagi (2-5) defeated Ruth Huntley (0-01) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Jan. 11. The super fly fight took place in London.
USA
On Friday Jan. 17, super flyweights Mizuki Hiruta (6-0) and Maribel Ramirez (15-10-4) meet 10 rounds for the WBO world title at Commerce, Calif. Also, light flyweights Gloria Munguilla (6-1) and Brook Sibrian (5-1) meet eight rounds; and super featherweights Iyana Verduzco (2-0) and Lindsey Ellis (2-1) meet six rounds. UFC Fight Pass will stream the fights.
On Friday Jan. 17, super flyweights Kayla Hracho (0-0) and Ayeshia Green (0-2) meet four rounds at Philadelphia, Pa. Also, featherweights Shannel Butler (0-0) and Patrice Robinson (0-0) meet four.
On Saturday Jan. 18, super flyweights LeAnna Cruz (9-0) and Amy Naert (11-4) meet eight rounds at Philadelphia, Pa. Also, featherweights Tiara Brown (17-0) and Calista Silgado (22-17-4) meet eight rounds; and super flyweights Shera Mae Patricio (3-0) and Josefina Vega (9-10).