Blockbuster in NYC Pt. 2 – Shurretta Metcalf Story

 

By David A. Avila

New York City has been good to this Texan. Twice she has fought in Manhattan and twice she won. Can she get the hat trick?

IBF bantamweight world titlist Shurretta Metcalf (14-4-1) heads to New York City again and will meet Cherneka Johnson (17-2) the WBA champion for the undisputed bantamweight championship on Friday July 11. Netflix will stream the Most Valuable Promotions card.

This is one of five female world title fights on the boxing card.

Metcalf hails from Dallas, Texas. It’s where she first grew her brand that started with her participation in unsanctioned prize fights in night clubs near her neighborhood. She was already a mother of two and making money was a necessity.

“They asked me to fight. I was like 28 years old. I started in the underground boxing scene just to make extra money,” said Metcalf now 40. “They asked me if I would like to try it. I tried it and liked it. And there’s nothing better than getting paid to fight.”

Today her two sons are 20 and 17 and attend her fights along with Metcalf’s parents.

“They always came to my fights. They are always proud of me,” said Metcalf, a cordial and gentle hearted woman. “My goal is to take care of my kids.”

The journey from underground fighter to contender was not a straight line. Providing for her family meant taking multiple jobs day and night.

“It was very hard and I would work at night. During the day I did other things to make ends meet. I’ve always been a hustler. Doing different odd jobs I was able to make money,” said Metcalf who continued to train.

Success in underground fights led to the professional level where her nose for business led to successful ticket sales whenever she was put on a boxing card.

“I could find fights here in Dallas. I was fighting two to three times a year because I was a big-ticket seller. I would sell merchandise. Train people. Then I would get a bigger percentage of my ticket sales,” Metcalf said.

Her goal was attaining recognition and getting rated. Finding a reputable foe was the answer and dangerous Melissa Odessa Parker filled the role.

“At that time Melissa Odessa was the girl. She was Army,” said Metcalf who clashed with Parker in July 2023 in Frisco, Texas and won by decision. “Since I knew I was not stronger than her, I pretty much used stick and move tactics.”

The strategy paid off with a decision win.

“I was so happy I had tears in my eyes. I won a belt.  She was known for trying to knock people out. I’m not no punk like that,” said Metcalf.

NYC

That win led to Lou DiBella offering a fight with Japan’s former world champion Miyo Yoshida in New York City on November 2023. The two combatants had distinctly opposing styles. After 10 rounds Metcalf was deemed the winner by unanimous decision.

“She (Yoshida) had a lot of fans. When she couldn’t get past my jab, and straight right and uppercuts that was it for me. She was used to clinching and fighting. We didn’t let that happen,” Metcalf said of the win over Yoshida.

Despite the win Metcalf was passed over when then IBF bantamweight champion Ebanie Bridges sought an opponent for an upcoming fight in December 2023. Instead, Yoshida was offered the fight in San Francisco and promptly defeated the popular blonde Aussie champion.

That led to a rematch with Yoshida in October 2024. This time it was for the IBF bantamweight world title. Both are mothers of grown children and the match took place in Madison Square Garden’s Theater.

Once again, Metcalf won.

Despite the world title win, the Texas fighter was disappointed with various aspects.

“I was happy that I won. But I went through a depressions stage. I had won but what’s next,” wondered aloud Metcalf who added notable manager Jackie Kallen as manager.

Metcalf also reached out to other champions such as Claressa Shields and Terence Crawford searching for answers.

A phone call to Jake Paul provided the answer.

“I reached out to Jake Paul and them. They wanted to work with me and bought my contract out from Lou DiBella,” said Metcalf. “They were talking about the good stuff I wanted to hear. And I loved the pay.”

MVP told her she would fight WBC and WBO bantamweight titlist Dina Thorslund in a unification bout. Then recently, Thorslund announced her pregnancy and was forced out of the match. Metcalf was again in limbo.

Within days Metcalf was told WBA titlist Cherneka Johnson would replace Thorslund and that all the bantamweight belts would be the prize.

“Within a week they told me it was going to be Cherneka Johnson. I said hell yeah. I wanted to fight her first,” said Metcalf about the sudden change of foes. “I felt that was a route I wanted to go.”

Johnson, who fights out of Australia and New Zealand, recently defeated Nina Hughes for the WBA version this past March. She is a two-division world champion who formerly held the IBF super bantamweight title. She then dropped down to bantamweight and holds the WBA bantamweight title.

Its one of five female world championship fights on Friday at Madison Square Garden.

“I’m happy I get to be part of history. To really get paid. I am lot of people’s hero. They got to see me come literally from the bottom,” said Metcalf. “Now they get to see me live on Netflix.”

 

Other matches

Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 Kos) vs Amanda Serrano (47-3-1, 31 Kos) undisputed super lights

 

Alycia Baumgardner (15-1, 7 Kos) vs Jennifer Miranda (12-0, 1 KO) undisputed super feathers

 

Ellie Scotney (10-0) vs Yamileth Mercado (24-3, 5 Kos) unified super bantams

 

Savannah Marshall (13-1, 10 Kos) vs Shadasia Green (15-1, 11 Kos) unified super middleweights

 

Chantelle Cameron (20-1, 8 Kos) vs Jessica Camara (14-4-1, 3 Kos) super lightweights

 

Ramla Ali (9-2, 2 Kos) vs Lila Furtado (11-2, 2 Kos) Super bantams

 

Tamm Thibeault (2-0) vs Mary Casamassa (6-0) middleweights.

 

 

(Photo by Ringside)