Gabriela Fundora Could Be Unbeatable at Flyweight and More News and Notes
By David A. Avila
With little doubt, whenever Gabriela Fundora walks into a boxing ring as a flyweight she is a massive favorite.
The reasons are obvious.
Aside from being taller, longer and skilled, Fundora just might be the hardest punching flyweight in the history of women’s boxing.
When Fundora (16-0, 8 Kos) blasted out Mexico’s Marilyn Badillo (19-1-1, 3 Kos) last Saturday in defense of the undisputed flyweight championship last weekend, the world saw the Southern California-based fighter patiently stalk and obliterate the challenger.
She Godzillad poor Badillo. It was frightful and complete.
Is there anyone in the flyweight division that can possibly compete with Fundora?
Forget about the boasts of being the youngest undisputed champion. That’s all based on politics and economics. Yes, Fundora has skill, but having a promoter like Golden Boy Promotions allowed her to get those world title fights. There are a lot of great fighters out there who have not lost in 10 or more years and don’t receive world title opportunities.
Luck is involved too.
But Fundora is a great fighter and maybe the best flyweight in history. Who can compete with her?
Let’s take a look at the other flyweights.
Out of a list of 10 top flyweights listed by a certain web site, Fundora has already obliterated two of them who are both from Mexico. One is former champion Arely Mucino and the other Badillo.
There are other flyweights like Angelina Lukas who fights out of Kazakhstan but has mainly fought in Thailand and Turkey. The fighter with fashion model looks has beaten some solid fighters like Johana Zuniga, Deborah Anahi Lopez and Ana Arrazola. Is she ready for Fundora?
Another top flyweight is Canada’s Alexis Kubicki (12-1, 2 Kos). She has two wins over Mexico’s Isabel Millan and a win over Maria Salinas. She also has fought overseas in Czech Republic, Kosovo, and Colombia. That’s great experience.
Colombia’s Laura Wollenmann (11-1, 3 Kos) lost her first pro fight by split decision and has not lost since. Now 34, the Swiss resident deserves a shot at the flyweight world title before she gets too old.
Ironically, the one flyweight not listed in anyone’s top 10 list is Mexico’s Kenia Enriquez.
Though Tijuana’s Enriquez has not lost a fight in over 10 years and was listed as the top contender by most web sites and sanctioning organizations, no one speaks her name.
Enriquez still remains the best fighter without a world title.
I was told by a source, who wishes to remain nameless, that Enriquez was offered as a possible opponent for Fundora, but whose team opted instead to fight Chile’s Daniela Asenjo. Though that fight was competitive I wonder if Enriquez would have been too tough and experienced for Fundora last summer. But where is Enriquez?
Probably the biggest obstacle for Fundora is making weight. Though she claims making the 112-pound weight limit is not too tough, it’s easy to imagine her moving up to 115 pounds or 118 pounds and still remaining dominant.
“We’ll see what’s next—whether I go down or up in weight—but I’m ready to collect more belts in other divisions,” said Fundora.
Right now Fundora looks unbeatable at 112 pounds.
World Title Fight on 360 Fight Card
360 Boxing Promotions announced on Tuesday that WBO super flyweight titlist Mizuki Hiruta (7-0, 2 Kos) will defend the title against Argentina’s Carla Merino (16-2, 4 Kos) on May 17, at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, Calif.
Hiruta was recently voted Japan’s top female fighter of the year.
Also on that loaded fight card that includes super welterweight contender Serhii Bohachuk, along with several other top female fighters.
More Fights News
Australia
On Wednesday April 23, super featherweights Mariah Turner (8-1) and Thanchanok Phanan (20-12) meet six rounds at Fortitude Valley.
On Saturday April 26, flyweights Viviana Ruiz (9-2) and Maria Rivera (14-6-3) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Nathan.
On Saturday April 26, super flyweights Holly McMath (5-4) and Sarah Higginson (4-6-1) meet eight rounds at Perth. Also, feathers Jaki Toth (2-3) and Danni Mace (0-5) meet six.
Austria
Elisa Frey (5-0) knocked out Nicole Purwins (1-2) in the third round on Tuesday April 15. The regional super fly title fight was held in Kitzbuehel.
Belgium
Amy Naert (12-5) defeated Ana Acevedo (5-1) by majority decision after six rounds on Saturday April 19. The flyweight bout took place in Gits.
On Saturday April 26, lightweights Helene Connart (1-1) and Ksenija Medic (4-36-3) meet six rounds at Liege. Also, Adeline Polys (1-0-1) and Bojana Ranic (0-0) meet four.
Colombia
On Friday April 25, bantams Iza Jaimes (2-1) and Yenny Caceres (2-0) meet four rounds at Puerto Colombia.
On Sunday April 27, super flyweights Bethy Franco (10-10-2) and Paola Rincon (8-4) meet eight rounds at Medellin.
France
On Friday April 25, featherweights Sasha Morice (2-0) and Anna Micard (0-2-1) meet six rounds at Laval.
On Saturday April 26, super lights Judy Waguthii (17-11-4) and Orsolya Moldovan (2-3) meet six rounds at Douarmenez.
On Saturday April 26, welters Emilie Sonvico (4-0) and Elsa Hemat (5-11-2) meet six rounds at Ales.
On Saturday April 26, super bantams Laela El Ksiri (2-3-1) and Jessica Barry (7-1) meet six rounds at Auch.
On Saturday April 26, super flyweights Yohandri Rondon (10-0-1) and Lauryne Brankaer (6-0-1) meet eight rounds at Issoudun.
Germany
On Saturday April 26, minimumweights Sarah Bormann (19-1) and Isabel Rivero (10-2-1) meet 10 rounds for the WBO world title at Sindelfingen.
On Saturday April 26, lightweights Albina Kasumi (0-0) and Ilona Zuendorf (0-3) meet four rounds at Kehl.
On Saturday April 26, featherweights Sarah Liegmann (11-0) and Liliana Martinez (25-20) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Nordhrhein-Westfalen. Also, lightweights Juliane Werner (1-0) and Valentina Wiedenhoefer (0-0) meet four.
Italy
On Friday April 25, bantams Gloria Peritore (5-0-1) and Natalia Francesca (7-4) meet 10 rounds for the EBU title at Carbonia.
On Saturday April 26, featherweights Cristina Garganese (3-2) and Puneh Ak (7-3-1) meet eight rounds at Puglia, Also, lightweights Mariem Homrani (1-0) and Saneya Sultana (2-2) meet six rounds.
On Sunday April 27, super flyweights Mery Di Bari (2-0) and Vittoria Fusaro (0-1) meet six rounds at Rome.
Japan
Noa Sakamoto (7-2) beat Ena Sakai (3-2) by decision after six rounds on Sunday April 20. The atomweight fight took place in Osaka.
On Sunday April 27, minimumweights Hana Tanihara (1-1) and Misato Sawaki (1-0-1) meet four rounds at Tsu.
Mexico
Xinnia Macia (8-1-1) knocked out Sandra Gutierrez (0-3) in the first round on Friday April 18. The super fly fight took place in Mexicali.
On Saturday April 26, flyweights Gloria Munguilla (7-1) and Susana Uscanga (1-2-1) meet eight rounds at Tijuana. Also, light flyweights Brook Sibrian (5-2) and Claudia Sandoval (1-2-1) meet eight.
South Africa
Olwethu Makhathala (1-0) beat Noxolo Magagula (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday April 19. The flyweight contest was held in Cape Town.
On Saturday April 26, featherweights Caleigh Swart (4-0) and Nolwazi Mabaso (0-1) meet six rounds at Cape Town. Also, Saarah Kariem (0-0) and Seani Morite (0-3) meet four.
Spain
On Saturday April 26, flyweights Minerva Gutierrez (5-5) and Consuelo Portolani (6-6) meet six rounds at Gijon.
Sweden
On Saturday April 26, lightweights Paolo Magui (10-0) and Mihai Anton (3-8-1) meet six rounds at Karlstad.
Switzerland
Gabriela Timar (14-2) defeated Erika Bolivar (9-5-1) by decision after 10 rounds on Saturday April 19. The minimumweight fight took place in Basel.
United Kingdom
Hannah Robinson (3-0) won by decision over Erica Alvarez (8-11) on Saturday April 19. The six round super lightweight fight took place in Houghton le Spring.
Ruth Huntley (1-1) won by decision after four rounds against Ivanka Ivanova (6-31-4) on Thursday April 17. The bantam fight was held in Maidstone.
USA
Gabriela Fundora (16-0) knocked out Marilyn Badillo (19-1-1) in the seventh round on Saturday April 19. The undisputed flyweight world championship fight took place in Oceanside, Calif.
Roxy Verduzco (4-0) won by unanimous decision after six rounds versus Jessica Radtke (1-2-1) on Saturday April 19. The featherweight match was held in Commerce, California.
Jennifer Perella (2-1) beat Sarah Click (2-10-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday April 19. The bantam fight took place in Brookline, Mass.
Mikiah Kreps (10-0) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Danielle Bennett (9-3) on Friday April 18. The super bantam fight was held in Niagara Falls, New York.
On Friday April 25, super flyweights Kedra Bradley (2-7-1) and Kelsi Williamson (0-2) meet four rounds at Greensboro, N.C.
On Saturday April 26, super welters Elia Carranza (10-1) and Natasha Spence (8-7-2) meet eight rounds at Miami, Florida.
On Saturday April 26, bantams Amber Summers (7-0) and Tarrethia Dixon (2-4) meet six rounds at College Park, Georgia. Also, super feathers Mia Ellis (8-3) and Kim Colbert (3-20) meet six,
On Saturday April 26, super welterweights Nisa Rodriguez (3-0) and Deborah Melhorn (0-0) meet six rounds at Riverhead, New York.
On Saturday April 26, bantamweights Ivy Enriquez (1-0) and Mayela Perez (20-28-4) meet four rounds at Odessa, Texas.
(Photo by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions)