Unforgettable Summer of Women’s Boxing Includes Franchon Crews-Dezurn, Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and More
By David A. Avila
Summer vacation arrives with a wave of the best female boxing match ups seen in more than 20 years in places like New York City, Anaheim and Detroit.
Fans of women’s prize fighting should buckle up.
Beginning next week world champion Franchon Crews-Dezurn triggers the D-Day two-month invasion by female athletes fighting for world championships beginning in early June and ending at the final week of July.
Many of the best fighters in the world are participating.
On D-Day June 6, Crews-Dezurn (9-2, 2 Kos) defends the WBC super middleweight title against Southern California’s Citlali Ortiz (4-1) at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York. DAZN will stream the important world title fight.
If anyone represents the grit of women’s boxing more than Crews-Dezurn I would be surprised. She is titanium steel resilient and a problem for any style or any champion. The fighter from the Washington DC area has fought the best and next week ignites the biggest women’s boxing assault ever seen.
A few weeks later a second assault by women fighters appears.
Anaheim
Holly Holm returns to boxing on June 28 after departing from the sport to participate in MMA 12 years ago.
The New Mexico redhead is more known for her victory over Rhonda Rousey in MMA than for her exploits in boxing though she was recently voted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Holm (33-2-3, 9 Kos) returns to the prize ring and meets Mexico’s undefeated Yolanda Vega (10-0) in a lightweight fight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. It’s part of a DAZN pay-per-view card that features Jake Paul versus Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a cruiserweight match.
Another female fight was added to the MVP and Golden Boy Promotions show features Naomy Valle (14-0) against Ashley Felix (7-2) in a light flyweight battle.
New York City
Like a hit Broadway show the return of Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor has all the wattage necessary to fill every seat at Madison Square Garden on Saturday July 11 in Manhattan. Netflix will stream the Most Valuable Promotions boxing card featuring only women boxing.
Whenever Serrano and Taylor clash, fans will watch. Their last fiery encounter captivated the attention of many fans who had never witnessed the fury of women’s prize fighting. People that did not know a thing about women’s boxing were hypnotized by the two female champions.
This time Taylor and Serrano are bringing their friends.
Six other female bouts featuring super middleweights to bantams fill the rest of the sizzling boxing card. Almost all the names on the roster of fights are recognized among the best including Dina Thorslund, Ellie Scotney, Savannah Marshall, Chantelle Cameron and Yamileth Mercado.
Most of the fighters signed contracts with MVP and will remain part of the company bent on promoting women’s boxing.
Serrano, Taylor and friends will be the highlight of the summer.
Detroit
At the end of July, women’s boxing displays the best fighter on the planet as Claressa Shields defends the undisputed heavyweight world championship against New Zealand’s Lani Daniels.
It’s not often that boxers from Australia or New Zealand get opportunities to fight in the USA and for Daniels it’s the chance of a lifetime.
Shields (16-0, 3 Kos) meets Daniels (11-2-2, 1 KO) on Saturday July 28, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. DAZN will stream the Salita Promotions boxing card. Two other female fights are planned.
Ever since Shields turned professional the Michigan fighter has yet to be seriously challenged by anyone except Franchon Crews who fought each other in their pro debuts fight that took place in November 2016.
Can Daniel be the one to break Shields strong grip as women’s boxing’s best fighter or will she be overrun by the massively talented boxer from Flint, Michigan?
These next two months will showcase women’s boxing as never seen before.
More Fight News
Argentina
Leonela Sanchez (2-0) knocked out Rocio Rodriguez (0-5) in the fourth round on Saturday May 24. The featherweight fight took place in Buenos Aires.
On Saturday May 31, minimumweights Maria Sol Baumstarh (12-7-1) and Daiana Ortiz (5-3-2) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Buenos Aires.
Australia
Pam McClelland (5-3-1) defeated Maureen Chand (4-7) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday May 24. The Australian lightweight title fight took place in Gosford. Also, flyweight Sarsha McGurk (1-0) knocked out Fasai Wongkattaleekham (0-2-1) in one.
Tywarna Campbell (5-2-2) defeated Sacha Ryan (2-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Saturday May 24. The featherweight title took place in Surfers Paradise.
Austria
On Friday May 30, heavyweights Alexandra Petre (0-1) and Elene Sikmashvili (9-11-1) meet four rounds at Vienna. Also, bantamweight Melissa Sailer (1-0) and Tijana Draskovic (2-15) meet four.
Bolivia
On Friday May 30, flyweights Itati Zuleta (0-0) and Mariela Ribera (12-8) meet four rounds at Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
Dominican Republic
On Friday May 30, super flyweights Katiana Petit-Homme (6-0) and Yanissa Castrellon (4-3) meet six rounds in Santa Domingo.
France
Lauryne Brankaer (7-0-2) beat Gemma Ruegg (8-15-1) by decision after eight rounds on Saturday May 24. The super fly fight took place in Vierzon. Also, super feathers Isis Pizagou (0-0-1) and Ashley Rabereau (0-0-1) ended in majority draw
Mariam Sidibe (4-0-1) beat Orsolya Moldovan (2-5) by decision after six rounds on Saturday May 24. The lightweight fight took place in Ozoir.
On Saturday May 31, lightweights Margaux Revois (1-0) and Francesca Taylor 0-6) meet four rounds at Saint Meloir.
Germany
Valentina Wiedenhoefer (2-0) beat Ilona Zuendorf (0-5) after four rounds on Saturday May 24. The super feather fight took place in Weissenthurm.
Sarah Graden (3-0) knocked out Sabine Hempel (0-11) in the third round on Saturday May 24. The super welter fight was held in Erfurt.
On Saturday May 31, super feathers Albina Kasumi (1-0) and Sabrina Flamand (4-7-1) meet four rounds at Dreieich.
Japan
Riho Muto (0-1-1) and Mami Otsubo (1-1-1) fought to a majority draw after four rounds on Sunday May 25. The bantamweight fight took place in Gifu.
Mao Kamada (3-0-3) defeated Natsuki Yamada (2-3-3) by split decision after six rounds on Tuesday May 20. The atomweight fight took place in Tokyo.
On Saturday May 31, flyweights Yui Yamashita (0-0) and Ao Oyama (0-0) meet four rounds at Sumida-ku.
On Sunday June 1, atomweights Sana Hazuki (12-10-1) and Peeyalux Sanpokang (9-4) meet eight rounds at Tagawa-gun.
Kazakhstan
On Sunday June 1, super flies Angelina Lukas (14-1) and Daniela Asenjo (17-4-3) meet 10 rounds for the IBO world title at Taraz.
Kenya
On Friday May 30, super bantams Consolata Musanga (12-8-4) and Marion Akankunda (0-1) meet six rounds in Nairobi.
Mexico
On Saturday May 31, super flies Xinnia Macia (8-1-1) and Wendy Villegas (2-6) meet six rounds at San Luis. Also, lightweights Ruby Garcia (3-0) and Sayra Itzel (0-0) meet four.
New Zealand
Waitohu Rapira-Ngarewa (2-0) defeated Ayisha Abied (2-8-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday May 24. The lightweight match took place in New Plymouth.
On Saturday May 31, bantams Anna Collie (1-0-1) and Sarah Linton (0-5) meet six rounds at Wellington.
Spain
Maria Horche (1-0) beat Katherine Quintana (0-35-1) after five rounds on Saturday May 24. The super lightweight fight was held in Arganda del Rey.
Ana Acevedo (6-1) knocked out Nevena Markovic (0-13-1) in the third round on Friday May 23. The flyweight match took place in Huelva.
Tanzania
On Saturday May 31, bantams Sara Alex (5-1-1) and Zulfa Iddy (0-2-2) meet six rounds at Dar Es Salaam. Also, super lightweights Najma Isike (4-5) and Daines Kwahala (0-2-1) meet six rounds.
Thailand
Ieisha Auyeung (3-0) knocked out Sukanya Wiriya (3-4-1) in the second round on Sunday May 25. The super fly fight took place in Pathum Thani. Also, bantam Kanokwan Wirunpat (4-1) knocked out Chanita Tuamjaroen (0-1) in the fifth; feather Pattarawan Thaosuwan (17-8-1) knocked out Patraporn Kaenmeepol (0-1) in one; minimumweight Kiratra Hakrasang (1-0) knocked out Tassawan Hoiraya (0-3) in two.
Aigel Khodova (4-0) knocked out Kannika Bangnara (1-16) in two rounds on Saturday May 24. The flyweight fight was held in Phuket.
Aisha Kamaleldin (4-0) beat Pimchanok Theopjanda (9-8) in six rounds on Thursday May 22. The flyweight fight took place in Bangkok.
Weisa Li (3-0) beat Usanakorn Thawilsuhannawang (20-9) after six rounds on Thursday May 22. The lightweight fight took place in Bangkok.
On Saturday May 31, minimumweights Karen Lindenmuth (6-4) and Porpimon Pongpaew (5-5) meet 10 rounds at Bangkok. Also, flyweights Hin Ting Chan (9-1) and Wanasanan Onuch (7-2-2) meet eight; and super flies Efasha Kamarudin (6-0-1) and Kanyarat Nunoi (9-7-2) meet eight.
Ukraine
On Saturday May 31, super bantams Oksana Bondarenko (7-2) and Veronika Timoshyna (0-0) meet four rounds at Odessa.
United Arab Emirates
On Saturday May 31, bantams Nisa Mehdiyeva (0-0) and Kristina Tsyngaeva (0-0) meet four rounds at Abu Dhabi.
United Kingdom
Terri Harper (16-2-2) defeated Natalie Zimmermann (13-1) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Friday May 23. The WBO lightweight world title fight took place in Doncaster, England. Also, super bantam Ellie Hellewell (7-0) beat Stevi Levy (13-4) by decision after 10 rounds.
Paige Goodyear (5-0) beat Bojana Libiszewska (7-70) after six rounds on Friday May 23. The super welter match took place in Wolverhampton. Also, middleweight Omarah Taylor (4-0) knocked out Jenifer Jokiova (1-3) in the fifth.
On Saturday May 31, bantams Emily Whitworth (1-0) and Naila Peloso (0-10-1) meet six rounds at Manchester.
USA
Brook Sibrian (7-2) won by decision after six rounds versus Rubi Gutierrez (5-2-1) on Thursday May 22. The light fly fight took place in Hollywood, Calif. Also, bantam Ivy Enriquez (3-0) beat Marlen Avila (0-3) in four.