Gabriela Fundora vs Marilyn Badillo in Oceanside for Undisputed Flyweight Crown
(Photo by Al Applerose)
By David A. Avila
About six months ago Gabriela Fundora crashed into the upper tier of stardom with a startling knockout of formidable champion Gabriela Alaniz to become undisputed flyweight world champion.
It was not unexpected.
When any fighter has a height and arm length advantage like Fundora who stretches to 5’9 inches in height, they should win. But it’s the way she won that was surprising.
Now Fundora (15-0, 7 Kos) defends the undisputed flyweight world championship against relatively unknown Marilyn Badiilo (19-0-1) on Saturday April 19, at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, Calif. DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotions card.
The 23-year-old Fundora’s brother is Sebastian Fundora the WBO and WBC super welterweight world titlist. They are the first brother and sister concurrent world champions and both are tall for their weight class.
Oh, and they are both southpaws.
It was promoter Sampson Lewkowicz who brought Fundora to the attention of Golden Boy Promotions. He is also responsible for bringing many non-Americans to the USA including Manny Pacquiao, Marcos Maidana and Sergio Martinez. He has also worked with women before such as Melinda Cooper and Hanna Gabriels.
As soon as Gabriela Fundora hit the pro scene it was obvious that she would be trouble for anyone at the 112-pound weight class. Plus, she is a southpaw with power. Big power.
Since her pro debut four years ago, Fundora has proven that if an opponent dares stand in the firing zone they risk being obliterated. Check out her demolition of Mexico’s Arely Mucino for the IBF world title or Argentina’s Alaniz for the WBO, WBC and WBA titles.
Those foes with a come-forward in-your-face style were met with intense firepower from Fundora.
Mexico’s “La Mexicana” Badillo is undefeated and has a win over current WBC super flyweight titlist Asley Gonzalez. Other than defeating fellow Mexican fighters in her native country, the flyweight contender will be fighting for the first time in the USA.
It’s a daunting task for Badillo.
“I worked hard to earn my spot to challenge for this undisputed championship,” said Badillo. “I am excited to make my U.S. debut and make waves in women’s boxing.”
Fundora is excited about being the main event.
“My last fight, I made history as the youngest undisputed champion in the world,” said Fundora. “I am excited to make history again, this time defending my undisputed status against the very hungry Badillo. This is my first main event, and I can’t wait to show the world all the hard work Team Fundora puts in to be the best.”
Fundora will have a six-inch height advantage.
Desley Robinson IBF and WBO middleweight champ
Australia’s Desley Robinson (10-3, 3 Kos) added the WBO middleweight title to the IBF title she already possessed on Friday April 11, with a unanimous decision win over Chloe Chaos (6-2-1) in an all-Australia battle in Flemington.
Both titles were formerly owned by Claressa Shields, who vacated them to move to the heavyweight division.
Robinson fights out of Logan City in Queensland and is 37 years old.
Tania Alvarez EBU super bantam champ
Spain’s Tania Alvarez (13-1) defeated Katie Healy (9-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday April 12 to retain the EBU super bantamweight title in a fight that took place in Castellbisbal.
Alvarez only has one loss and that was against Skye Nicolson in a regional title fight that took place in Madison Square Garden in February 2023. It was the first time Nicolson had problems with an opponent in a very competitive match.
Since that fight in New York, the Spanish featherweight from Barcelona has strung six consecutive wins including two EBU title defenses.
More Fight News
Argentina
Mia Nievas (2-1-2) defeated Victoria Romero (0-7) by decision after six rounds on Saturday April 12. The super fly match was held in San Miguel del Monte.
On Saturday April 19, super lights Anahi Sanchez (25-6) and Aldana Pons (4-2-1) meet 10 rounds for South American title at Buenos Aires.
Australia
Katie Riddle (1-1) knocked out Febriyanti Lubis (1-6) in the first round on Saturday April 12. The light fly match took place in Mount Gambier.
Stephanie Cutting (9-0) beat Jittamat Phomta (9-9) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday April 12. The featherweight fight was held in Flemington.
Desley Robinson (10-3) defeated Chloe Chaos (6-2-1) by decision after 10 rounds on Friday April 11. The IBF and WBO middleweight title fight took place in Flemington.
Austria
On Tuesday April 15, super flyweights Elisa Frey (4-0) and Nicole Purwins (1-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Kitzbuehel.
Canada
Bonnie Hunter (6-4) won by decision over Yulia Puchenia (0-0) after four rounds on Saturday April 12. The lightweight fight took place in Pickering.
Mary Spencer (10-2) defeated Ogleidis Suarez (31-6-1) by decision after 10 rounds on Thursday April 10. The super welterweight match took place in Montreal.
Chile
Belen Quiroz (2-0) beat Rojana Paisig (0-2) by decision after four rounds on Saturday April 12. The super bantam match was held in Santiago.
China
Haini Mulataiali (4-0) won by decision after six rounds versus Manli Lei (1-3-1) on Saturday April 12. The super feather fight took place in Beijing. Also, super light Kehan Wang (1-0) beat Zahra Feuyzollah (0-1) in four.
Cuba
Yakelin Estornell (1-0) knocked out Lina Tejada (13-6-1) in the second round on Friday April 11. The welterweight fight took place in Varadero.
Czech Republic
Fabiana Bytyqi (22-1-2) defeated Jane Kavulani (19-19-5) by decision after six rounds on Saturday April 12. The bantam fight took place in Prague.
Denmark
Melissa Mortensen (5-0) won by knockout in the eight round over Svitlana Vasylevska (4-8) on Saturday April 12. The super bantam fight was held in Pandrup.
Finland
Jonna Hakkarainen (3-0) beat Antonella Molina (4-25-2) in six rounds on Friday April 11. The featherweight fight took place in Helsinki.
France
Mariam Sidibe (1-0-1) won by decision after six rounds against Sherriee Barnes (0-9) on Saturday April 12. The super lightweight match was held in Pessac.
Narymane Berche (4-1) beat Dunja Bocan (2-13-1) in six rounds on Saturday April 12. The super bantam fight was held in Cugnaux.
Sacha Morice (2-0) defeated Nino Janelidze (0-2) by decision after four rounds on Saturday April 12. The featherweight match was held in Challans.
Germany
Madeleine Mohrhardt (7-0) beat Eva Hubmayer (6-11-1) in 10 rounds on Saturday April 12. The welterweight fight took place in Baden-Baden. Also, super bantam Ceren Karabulut (1-0) knocked out Sabine Hempel (0-10) in one.
Italy
Pamela Noutcho Sawa (9-0) knocked out Martina Righi (6-3-1) in the first round on Friday April 11. The EBU lightweight title fight took place in Ferrara.
Alessia Mesiano (1-0) knocked out Edith Baroni (0-1) in the first round on Friday April 11. The super feather match was held in Rome.
Japan
Kokono Tado (1-1-1) beat Tomoka Kojima (0-2) by decision after four rounds on Sunday April 13. The minimumweight fight took place in Kariya.
Mai Kamada (2-0-3) defeated Sowaka Megumi (1-2) by knockout in the fourth round on Sunday April 13. The atomweight fight was held in Kochi.
On Sunday April 20, atomweights Noa Sakamoto (6-2) and Ena Sakai (3-1) meet four rounds at Osaka.
New Zealand
Sheila Yama (2-0) knocked out Tricia Mackenzie (1-3-1) in two rounds on Saturday April 12. The super lightweight fight took place in Thames.
Russia
On Friday April 18, welters Albina Moldazhanova (0-0) and Nuriyat Alibekova (0-0) meet six rounds at Chelyabinsk.
Spain
Tania Alvarez (13-1) defeated Katie Healy (9-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday April 12. The EBU super bantamweight title fight took place in Castellbisbal.
Switzerland
On Saturday April 19, minimumweights Gabriela Timar (13-2) and Erika Bolivar (9-4-1) meet 10 rounds at Basel.
Tanzania
On Saturday April 19, super lights Sabrina Mbwewe (1-1) and Aumber Somba (0-2) meet six rounds at Dar es Salaam.
Thailand
Banthita Pumkrathok (2-0) won by majority decision after four rounds versus Pattarawadee Somkaeo (0-1) on Tuesday April 8. The minimumweight fight took place in Muang.
Sarocha Yoohanngoh (2-5) knocked out Maria Phoudom (0-3) in the first round on Monday April 7. The featherweight fight took place in Bangkok.
Uganda
On Sunday April 20, super bantams Salimat Tibesigwa (10-4) and Sakina Ibrahim (2-0-1) meet 10 rounds at Kampala. Also, feathers Rachael Musulbika (3-4) and Sharon Lakica (1-0) meet six rounds.
United Kingdom
On Saturday April 19, super feathers Shona Whitwell (0-0) and Katerina Dvorakova (3-5) meet six rounds in London.
On Saturday April 19, bantamweights Julia Lee (3-0) and Jasmina Nad (11-35-5) meet six rounds Houghton le Spring.
On Saturday April 19, super bantams Ashleigh Johnson (2-2) and Kira Carter (0-14-1) meet six rounds at Swansea. Also, middleweights Monique Bux (1-1) and Claire Watts (0-3) meet four.
USA
On Friday April 18, super bantams Mikiah Kreps (9-0) and Danielle Bennett (9-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Niagara Falls, New York.
On Saturday April 19, flyweights Gabriela Fundora (15-0) and Marilyn Badillo (19-0-1)meet 10 rounds for the undisputed world championship at Oceanside, Calif.
On Saturday April 19, featherweights Roxy Verduzco (3-0) and Jessica Radktke (1-1-1) meet six rounds at Commerce, Calif.
On Saturday April 19, super middleweights Talia Halverson (0-0) and Jina Bynum (0-3) meet four rounds at Rockford, Illinois.
On Saturday April 19, bantams Jennifer Perella (1-1) and Sarah Click (2-9-1) meet four rounds at Brookline, Mass.