Yokasta Valle and Marlen Esparza Fight in Mexico and More News

By David A. Avila

They had to meet.

Yokasta Valle and Marlen Esparza finally meet in the boxing ring.

On Saturday March 29, two of the best lower-weight champions Valle (32-3, 10 Kos) and Esparza (15-2, 1 KO) clash in a flyweight division match at the Cancun, Mexico. No world title is at stake. DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotions card.

Valle, the current WBC minimumweight world titlist is moving up two weight classes to contest former flyweight world champion Esparza for a shot at undisputed flyweight world champion Gabriela Fundora.

Conveniently, all three female warriors are under the Golden Boy Promotions banner.

Instead of proving her mettle against nameless competition Valle, who desperately sought a rematch with Seniesa Estrada who suddenly retired last year, seeks to become undisputed champion by going after the bigger girls.

Can Valle do it?

“Facing Marlen excites me,” said Valle on social media. “Because these are the type of fights that people want to see.”

Esparza, the former WBO and WBC world titlist, is eager to reclaim the world titles she held before. But when she lost to Gabriela Alaniz in a rematch and saw the Argentine fighter later get dismantled by Fundora last year, the goal of winning back the world titles suddenly evolved into a bigger obstacle.

The 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and former unified flyweight world titlist has never been blown out or soundly defeated. She lost to Seniesa Estrada in 2019 and then to Alaniz in a rematch last April, but has always possessed good defensive skills and a very durable chin.

“To be honest she is a good fighter,” said Esparza of her foe Valle.

Both Valle and Esparza are extremely athletic and have blazing speed. Both used to be runners but have adopted a more pro-style that utilizes their hand-speed and timing. They also have large fan bases.

It should be a very interesting showdown.

Valle came very close to toppling Estrada when they met a year ago in Arizona, It was an exciting matchup that saw the Costa Rican fighter rally late in the fight to make it close. A rematch was sought but Estrada’s sudden retirement left Valle out in the cold in terms of marquee match ups.

“It’s a great challenge,” said Valle. “To fight a world champion, an Olympic champion like Marlen Esparza an excellent boxer, it motivates me. So why not?”

Esparza too lost to Estrada and sought a rematch. Fighting at a heavier weight class kept their rematch from happening. This fight represents the most interesting challenge of her career since 2019 when she fought “Super Bad” Estrada in Las Vegas.

Of course, the winner will desire a match with undisputed flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora who literally represents a tall order for either, with a four-inch height advantage.

Fundora needed a few rounds to size up the speed and power of Argentina’s Alaniz before unloading two explosive lefts that ended in a knockout win. She has knocked out three of her last four opponents.

The winner between Valle and Esparza gets a crack at the undisputed flyweight world championship. That’s more than enough incentive.

Mikaela vs Sandy 2

WBO welterweight titlist Mikaela Mayer (20-2) and Sandy Ryan (7-2-1) are ready to thump again. This time they will do their damage at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada. ESPN will televise the Top Rank card.

Their first encounter was a bludgeoning affair with both unleashing blows nonstop on each other in New York City. Mayer walked away with the WBC title. There was outside controversy due to paint being thrown on Ryan before the fight.

Both fighters train in Las Vegas and bring a similar fighting style to the boxing ring.

Expect another close exciting battle between the two tall female fighters.

Suddenly the welterweight division is heating up with England’s Lauren Price winning the IBF, IBO and WBC welterweight titles. There is also another welterweight who lives in Las Vegas named Layla McCarter. She has been one of the best for decades.

McCarter has long been one of the legends of the female fight game who has been avoided for decades. The last time the Las Vegas welter lost a fight was in 2007. Yes, you read that correctly. Let’s see if the winner is daring enough to face McCarter.

MVP Scoops Up More Female Talent

On Wednesday, Most Valuable Promotions announced it signed WBO and WBC bantamweight world titlist Dina Thorslund along with super bantamweight contender Ramla Ali, light flyweight contender Naomy Valle, and US amateur champion Natalie “No Love” Dove to promotional contracts.

This comes weeks after signing undisputed super featherweight world champion Alycia Baumgardner to an MVP Promotions contract.

The promotion company owned and run by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian has scooped up several of the best female fighters in the boxing game and is quickly becoming a force. Among the fighters on its roster that are considered the top female pound for pound fighters in the world are Amanda Serrano, Baumgardner, and now Thorslund.

“Most Valuable Promotions is the future of women’s boxing, and I am so proud to join their roster of world-class female champions alongside Amanda Serrano, Shadasia Green, and Alycia Baumgardner and become MVP’s first signee from Denmark,” said Dina Thorslund.

Valle, the younger sister of Yokasta Valle, also hails from Costa Rica and is undefeated.

“I am deeply grateful to Nakisa Bidarian, Jake Paul, and the entire team at Most Valuable Promotions, and especially to Amanda Serrano, who has been an inspiration to women in sports,” said Valle, 20. “Amanda and Jake’s examples of perseverance and constant fighting motivates me every day. Thank you for giving me this incredible opportunity. As a female athlete from a small but beautiful country like Costa Rica, I am incredibly proud that MVP has placed their trust in me.”

It’s a signing coup.

More Female Fight News

Argentina

Milagros Herrera (3-0) defeated Eliana Orrechia (5-15-3) by decision after six rounds on Saturday March 22. The super bantamweight fight took place in Buenos Aires.

On Saturday March 29, super bantams Lucia Marrero (4-0) and Laura Gomez (6-2) meet eight rounds in Buenos Aires.

Australia

Tiara Brown (19-0) defeated Skye Nicolson (12-1) by split decision after 10 rounds on Saturday March 22. The WBC featherweight title fight took place in Sydney. Also, WBA bantamweight titlist Cherneka Johnson (17-2) won by knockout in the seventh round against Nina Hughes (6-2) in their rematch.

On Saturday March 29, light flyweights Jemma Peart (5-0) and April Napthine (1-0) meet eight rounds for the Australian title at Condell Park. Also, Chloe Grech (2-0-1) and Jessica Leask (1-0) meet for another Australian light fly title. Plus, super flyweights Mai Soliman (6-1) and Sarah Watt (4-7-2) meet eight rounds; and super bantams Shanell Dargan (5-2-2) and Kanokwan Wirunpat (3-0) meet eight.

Austria

On Saturday March 29, welters Michaela Kotaskova (9-0-2) and Gisela Luna (4-6-1) meet 10 rounds at Schwechat for a regional title.

Belgium

On Saturday March 29, featherweights Marcelat Sakobi (3-1) and Joice Dos Santos (2-1) meet six rounds at Ronse.

Colombia

Jamillette Vallejos (5-16-2) knocked out Luisa Meza (0-9-1) in the third round on Sunday March 23. The featherweight fight took place in Cucuta.

Cris Cyborg (4-0) knocked out Valentina Angarita (0-4) in the third round on Thursday March 20. The super welterweight fight took place in Santa Marta.

Dominican Republic

On Friday March 28, bantams Krystal Rosado (5-0) and Bethy Franco (10-9-2) meet six rounds in Santa Domingo.

Germany

On Saturday March 29, super feathers Lara Ochmann (14-2) and Akane Fujiwara (7-4-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Flensburg.

Guatemala

Maria Santizo (12-5) defeated Yanissa Castrellon (4-3) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday March 22. The light flyweight match took place in Guatemala City. Also, Jazmin Martinez (3-2-1) knocked out Hilary Romero (1-6-1) in the second round.

Genesis Rodas (3-0) won by decision over Yhannely Juarez (0-1) after four rounds on Saturday March 22. The super flyweight fight was held in Guatemala City. Also, bantamweight Dulce Diaz (1-0) knocked out Jacqueline Lopez (0-2) in the first round.

Italy

Michela Braga (8-1) beat Eva Cantos (9-20-1) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday March 22. The bantamweight fight took place in Romagna.

Bantamweights Matilda Soican (0-0-2) and Antonina Cuti (2-13-1) fought to a draw after six rounds on Saturday March 22. The match took place in Lombardia.

On Saturday March 29, feathers Cristina Garganese (3-2) and Puneh Akhundt (7-3-1) meet eight rounds at Puglia.

Japan

Sari Metcalf (3-2-2) beat Chiyomi Wada (3-1) by majority decision after six rounds on Monday March 24. The bantam fight took placed in Tokyo.

Makoto Kikuchi (5-2) defeated Pannaporn Kaewpawong (5-4) by decision after six rounds on Friday March 21. The bantamweight fight was held in Tokyo. Also, minimumweight Mitsuki Ohashi (3-1) beat Niphaporn Sutham (1-1) in four.

Madoka Wada (3-0) won by decision after six rounds versus Jianping Ouyang (6-2-1) on Tuesday March 18. The atomweight fight took place in Tokyo. Also, super bantam Mao Nishi (2-0) beat Aira Midorikawa (5-2) in four.

On Thursday March 27, flyweights Moeko Amo (1-3-1) and Miku Nagasaki (1-3-1) meet four rounds in Tokyo.

On Sunday March 30, atomweights Mika Iwakawa (12-7-1) and Wisuta Sririttidet (8-5) meet six rounds at Kakogawa.

Mexico

Estefany Osorio (13-1) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Angela Nolasco (12-8-1) on Saturday March 22. The light fly fight took place in Los Cabos. Also, featherweight Karen Barrios (6-2-1) beat Ana Vazquez (1-3) in four.

On Saturday March 29, minimumweights Karime Ferrat (1-0) and Brenda Medina (0-1) meet four rounds at Mexicali. Also, light flyweights Hilda Hernandez (1-0) and Aylin Rivera (0-1) meet four.

On Saturday March 29, flyweights Eli Salinas (0-0) and Susana Uscanga (1-0-1) meet four rounds at Tijuana.

On Saturday March 29, bantamweights Naomy Cardenas (7-0) and Yulissa Lemus (2-1-1) meet eight rounds at Chihuahua. Also, Yuliahn Luna (27-4-1) and Dafne Saavedra (4-1) meet six rounds; plus super bantams Dulce De La Rosa (2-0) and Maria Sanchez (3-3) meet four rounds.

On Saturday March 29, flyweights Cecilia Rodriguez (14-1-1) and Maria Salinas (27-10-6) meet 10 rounds at Nuevo Leon.

On Saturday March 29, flyweights Yokasta Valle (32-3) and Marlen Esparza (15-2) meet 10 rounds at Cancun for a regional title. DAZN will stream the fight.

Puerto Rico

Belisa J. Lopez (1-0) defeated Amarilis Adorno (1-16) by decision after four rounds on Saturday March 22. The minimumweight fight was held in San Juan.

South Korea

On Saturday March 29, minimumweights Eun Joo Cha (0-0-1) and Joo Young Kim (1-1) meet four rounds at Incheon.

Spain

Ana Acevedo (5-0) won by decision after four rounds versus Klaudia Ferenczi (20-120-10) on Saturday March 22. The super flyweight fight was held in Huelva.

Tiana Schroeder (3-0) defeated Sara Orszagi (2-7) on Saturday March 22. The flyweight fight took place in Elche.

Thailand

Jittamat Phomta (9-8) knocked out Somwang Sawinchai (6-16-1) in the second round on Saturday March 22. The featherweight fight took place Pathum Thani. Also, bantams Wanasanan Onuch (7-2-1) and Kanyarat Nunoi (9-7-2) drew after six.

On Saturday March 29, flyweights Hin Ting Chan (8-1) and Sukanya Wiriya (3-2-1) meet eight rounds at Bangkok. Also, super bantams Amonrat Mitsiriwat (2-0) and Pattarawan Thaosuwan (16-7) meet six; and super flyweights Magdalena Szwed (1-0) and Fasai Wongkattaleekham (0-0-1) meet four.

United Kingdom

Megan Redstall (4-0-1) won by decision after eight rounds versus Antonella Molina (4-23-2) on Saturday March 22. The super bantam match took place in Bristol. Also, super welter Charlie Sutton (4-1) beat Erica Alvarez (8-10) in six.

Sasha Booker (2-0) beat Kira Carter (0-14-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday March 22. The featherweight fight took place in Nottingham.

On Saturday March 29, super feathers Elizabeth Oshoba (8-0) and Lenka Volejnikova (3-2-1) meet six rounds at Gloucester.

On Saturday March 29, welters Kerry Haley (3-2) and Jenifer Joklova (1-2) meet six rounds at Houghton le Spring.

On Sunday March 30, super flyweights Laura Pain (7-0) and Nicholine Achieng (4-10-1) meet eight rounds in London. Also, super bantams Stevi Levy (12-3) and Beccy Ferguson (6-12) meet six.

USA

Jasmine Artiga (13-0-1) won by majority decision after 10 rounds versus Regina Chavez (8-5-3) on Saturday March 22. The WBA super flyweight title fight took place in San Bernardino, Calif.

Jennifer Ruiz (5-1) defeated Leanne Calderon (1-4-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday March 22. The featherweight fight took place in Laredo, Texas.

On Saturday March 29, welterweights Mikaela Mayer (20-2) and Sandy Ryan (7-2-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBO world title in Las Vegas, Nevada. ESPN will televise the Top Rank card.

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Zimbabwe

On Saturday March 29, bantamweights Alice Mbewe (5-2-1) and Loveness Kokha (2-6-1) meet six rounds at Harare.

(Photo by David Avila)