Japan’s Mizuki Hiruta Wows L.A. Crowd and Other News
(Photo by Al Applerose)
By David A. Avila
With flaming pink hair Mizuki Hiruta stepped in the boxing ring in the Los Angeles area which is still suffering from wildfires.
Fans openly greeted the Japanese female fighter who walked in with an ornately decorated coat with 12-inch high words on a sign that said “Call Me Mimi.” Many in the crowd smiled as if thankful for the distraction from all the smoke and fire destruction in L.A.
“The reaction from the fans made me happy,” Hiruta said.
Hiruta tossed off the heavy looking coat in one motion and smiled brightly when announced. It was showtime.
The WBO super fly world titlist Hiruta looked solemnly at Mexico’s Maribel Ramirez in the center of the boxing ring at Commerce Casino and proceeded to quickly assess, strategize, then attack.
It was America’s introduction to Japan’s newest female boxing star.
Hiruta is not the first Japanese world champion to fight on American shores. Nor is she the first to establish a training camp in the U.S. Others like the great five-division world titlist Naoko Fujioka, two division titlist Tsunami Tenkai and two division titlist Miyo Yoshida have fought in America.
About four years ago, both Fujioka and Tenkai fought world title defenses on the same boxing card in Los Angeles.
When Hiruta fought last weekend for 360 Boxing Promotions, she became another champion to fight in America, and perhaps the most flamboyant from a country that also has arguably the best male fighter on the planet in Naoya Inoue.
Is Hiruta the best Japanese female fighter?
Time will tell. But her destruction of the highly respected Ramirez was not expected. Yet the pink-haired fighting machine proceeded to slip and counter the Mexican warrior with ease. And her willingness to attack with precision and speed wowed the hundreds of fans.
Hiruta won over the crowd including the many Latino fans.
After eight bloody rounds the fight was stopped due to an accidental clash of heads that opened a gash on Ramirez left eye. The flurry of punches from Hiruta’s vicious right hooks also caused damage. One knockdown in the first round was not counted by the referee because Ramirez turned her head and the Japanese fighter’s blow hit the back of the head. In the second round a right hook sent Ramirez down again. This time the referee allowed it because he noticed the Mexican fighter turned her head purposely.
Hiruta has power in both hands.
After the fight was stopped and Hiruta was declared the winner by technical decision, the smile returned and the crowd loudly applauded her performance. Her trainer Manny Robles and 360 Boxing Promotions promoter Tom Loeffler were excited by her dominant showing.
“I thought Mizuki’s performance was very impressive,” said Loeffler who also had two other female bouts on the same boxing card. “It was her very first fight in the USA and she was received very well by the live audience as well as everyone watching around the world.”
The colorful fighter smiled brightly and shook hands with new admirers who drove from all over Southern California to see the fight card. It’s not often that boxing fans witness a potential super star.
Following the congratulations heaped on by fans, friends and potential foes, the smiling face of Hiruta suddenly changed to business stoic when asked about her goals.
“I want any unification fight in the near future,” said Hiruta. “And I want to fight in Las Vegas.”
Only 289 miles away from that goal.
It was clear in the eight bloody rounds that Mizuki Hiruta is more than just flash, there’s a smash element too.
“The people looked happy. That proves I entertained them,” Hiruta said.
Yes, she did.
Super Bantams Battle
England’s Ellie Scotney (9-0) and New Zealand’s Mea Motu (20-0) meet 10 rounds at Nottingham, England for the IBF, IBO and WBO world titles. DAZN will show the championship fight on Saturday Jan. 25.
This is Scotney’s second time facing a Kiwi pugilist. Her first world title win came against former IBF champion Cherneka “Sugar Neetz” Johnson in 2023. Now she faces the undefeated Motu who holds the IBO version.
Motu has not fought the same quality as Scotney but wields stopping power. She has eight knockouts on her resume. Scotney has no knockouts but seems to have power. But she does have excellent boxing skills and experience.
More Fight News
Argentina
Mia Nievas (1-1-2) defeated Micaela Torres (0-3) by majority decision after six rounds on Saturday Jan. 18. The super fly fight was held in San Miguel del Monte.
Victoria Saputo (1-0) won by knockout in the fourth versus Veronica Garcia (0-1) on Saturday Jan. 18. The lightweight fight was held in Villa de Mayo.
Czech Republic
On Sunday Jan. 26, super lightweights Katerina Dvorakova (2-4) and Natalie Pavlatova (0-4) meet four rounds at Usti nad Labem.
France
Lilia Cherifi (3-0) beat Francesca Taylor (0-5) in six rounds on Friday Jan. 17. The welterweight fight was held in Hyeres.
Germany
Lena Venjacob (4-0) knocked out Betina Krumholz (1-7) in the second round on Sunday Jan. 19. The lightweight fight was held in Rheindland-Pfalz.
Japan
Maiko Iwasaki (2-0) won by decision after four rounds versus Yuna Kimura (1-1) on Friday Jan. 17. The super fly fight was held in Tokyo.
On Tuesday Jan. 21, minimumweights Yuko Kuroki (23-8-2) and Ye Kyeng Seo (7-0-3) meet 10 rounds for WBA world title in Tokyo. Also, Kanae Maehara (4-2-2) and Sazanami Valu (4-0-1) meet six; and atomweights Nao Ugawa (5-0) and Kaho Munetoshi (4-1) meet eight; Honoka Kano (8-1-2) and Riho Yoshida (5-1-1) meet eight; Kasumi Yamamoto (0-0) and Eri Sato (0-0) meet four; and bantamweights Nana Yamashita (5-2) and Nodoka Furukawa (4-0-1) meet six rounds.
Thailand
Wanasanan Onoot (6-2) knocked out Arisa Camna (0-10) in the fourth round on Saturday Jan. 18. The super bantam fight was held in Pathum Thani. Also, featherweight Jittamat Phomta (8-7) knocked out Putchita Klahan (0-5) in the third; light fly Patteera Tanapornchinpong (1-1-1) knocked out Chawala Wangarsa (0-7) in one; and minimum Patcharawan Kaewmued (1-1) knocked out Sundarat Pengjan (0-6) in one.
Turkey
On Friday Jan. 24, light flyweights Elif Delismen (5-0) and Nasim Hamidi (0-1) meet four rounds at Istanbul.
On Friday Jan. 24, welterweights Neda Kosariyamchelou (1-0) and Aya Boukbiri (0-0) meet four round at Pendik; also super lightweights Soheila Khayatgolshani (0-0) and Sibel Demir (0-0) meet four rounds.
Uganda
On Sunday Jan. 26, featherweights Marion Akaknwasa (0-0) and Sandra Attermo (2-4) meet six rounds at Kampala.
United Kingdom
Carla Jade (2-0-1) and Melanie Shah (0-0-1) fought to a split draw after five rounds on Saturday Jan. 18. The lightweight match was held in Manchester, England.
On Saturday Jan. 25, super bantamweights Ellie Scotney (9-0) and Mea Motu (20-0) meet 10 rounds at Nottingham, England for he IBF, IBO and WBO world titles. DAZN will show the championship fight.
USA
LeAnna Cruz (10-0) knocked out Amy Naert (11-5) in the second round on Saturday Jan. 18. The super fly match was held in Philadelphia, Pa. Also, featherweight Tiara Brown (18-0) defeated Calista Silgado (22-18-4) in eight. And super fly Shera Patricio (4-0) beat Josefina Vega in four.
Mizuki Hiruta (7-0) defeated Maribel Ramirez (15-11-4) by technical decision after eight rounds on Saturday Jan. 18. The WBO super fly world title fight took place in Commerce, Calif. Also, super feather Roxy Verduzco (3-0) won by knockout over Lindsey Ellis (2-2) in the third; and light fly Gloria Munguilla (7-1) beat Brook Sibrian (5-2) after eight.
Shannel Butler (1-0) knocked out Ella Duckworth (0-1) in one round on Saturday Jan. 18. The lightweight match was held in Philadelphia, Pa. Also, super fly Kayla Hracho (1-0) beat Ayeshia Green (0-3) by majority decision.
On Saturday Jan. 25, super featherweights Brooke Evans (1-1-1) and Arya Whitelow (0-0) meet four rounds at Kentucky.