If No Laila Ali, Plenty of OGs Around Like McCarter, Cooper Can Take On Young Guns
By David A. Avila
When Claressa Shields tracked down the fast-moving Lani Daniels to remain the undisputed heavyweight champion, sitting in the sold-out Detroit audience was former top dog Laila Ali.
Almost immediately some fans called out Shields to face Ali who has been retired for nearly 20 years.
Shields is willing to fight anyone so it was no surprise that the four-division undisputed world champion immediately agreed, but no word from Ali.
Ali, the daughter of the great Muhammad Ali, has grown children and a respectable career selling products. In her time, she was the best of the best in women’s boxing. I witnessed her first pro fight in Los Angeles and many of her fights thereafter. Few women learned the craft of boxing as quick as Ali.
Unlike her father, Laila Ali had tremendous power in her punches. Both hands. Many saw her looks and figured she was soft. She was the opposite. She was a monster in a pretty face and would take no pity against foes in the boxing ring.
People erroneously assumed she wanted no part of Anne Wolfe. But during her last few years she tried hunting down the Texas fighter to sign a contract and fight. It never happened and will forever be the greatest fight to never happen.
Now at 47, Ali is being asked to unretire and face today’s greatest female fighter Shields. If it doesn’t happen it wasn’t meant to happen. And maybe it’s a good thing. I don’t want to see the greatest female fighter today clash with one of the greatest way past her prime. You already know who is going to win.
If you truly want to see the current champs versus former OG champs here are some suggestions:
OG’s
Layla McCarter (47-13-5, 13 Kos) – is still active at 46 and now a super lightweight or welterweight. Based in Las Vegas, she hasn’t lost a fight since 2007. No other fighter can say that. Since that last defeat, McCarter has racked up 25 consecutive wins. Yet, none of today’s champions have dared meet her in the boxing ring. McCarter can fight at welterweight or super welterweight but for a long time fought at lightweight.
Melinda Cooper (23-2, 11 Kos) – another fighter based in Las Vegas who in her day was dominant from flyweight to super bantamweight. Officially, Cooper, 40, has not fought in the boxing ring since 2014, but is now a Las Vegas police officer and also trains youths in boxing. Could she fight in today’s fight scene? Absolutely. She had one thing that today’s fighters do not have is power to go along with speed. Most fighters today slap, they don’t really punch. Use of the left hook is almost nonexistent by today’s fighters. The female fighters from before 2012 punched with power. I could see Cooper fighting Dina Thorslund, Ellie Scotney or Cherneka Johnson in a flash. In fact, Scotney reminds me of Cooper. They have a similar fighting style.
There are others who fought before the landmark 2012 London Olympics when women were finally allowed to compete. But McCarter and Cooper were among the best that never got a chance to prove their skills worldwide like today’s female fighters. Both could still compete in today’s fight world.
Maricela Cornejo Returns
Former middleweight champion Maricela Cornejo (19-7, 7 Kos) meets Natasha Spence (8-8-2) on Friday Aug. 8, at Yakima Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington. The super welterweight match will be streamed by https://www.youtube.com/@RJJBOXING.
Cornejo, 38, last fought a year ago against the great Cecilia Braekhus and lost by decision after 10 rounds. She recently had a baby and is now returning quickly to the boxing ring. She is also a native of the area.
“Beyond excited to fight in front of my hometown!! It has been a goal of mine to come back here where I grew up and have all my family be able to take a 30 min drive to watch me fight. Looking forward to putting on a great show come Aug 8th,” said Cornejo.
The Washington native has fought many of the best fighters in history including Claressa Shields, Franchon Crews-Dezurn and Braekhus.
Mimi and Lupe at Chumash Casino
Japan’s Mizuki “Mimi” Hiruta (8-0) is set to face Mexico’s talented Naomy Cardenas (9-0) in defense of the WBO super fly world title on Friday Aug. 15, at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez. The 360 Boxing Promotions show will be streamed on UFC Fight Pass.
Also joining will be minimumweight sensation Lupe Medina (10-0) meeting Rubi Gutierrez (5-2-1) in an eight round contest.
Tickets are going fast and hotel rooms are going faster.
More Fight News
Argentina
Leonela Sanchez (3-0) won by unanimous decision after six rounds versus Luz Cordoba (2-3-1) on Friday Aug. 1. The featherweight fight took place in Buenos Aires.
On Saturday Aug. 9, flyweights Nazarena Serra (2-2) and Celeste Gonzalez (0-0) meet four rounds at Buenos Aires.
Australia
On Saturday Aug. 9, feathers Shannon O’Connell (25-8-1) and Jaki Toth (3-3) meet eight rounds at Mansfield. Also, bantams Nicila Costello (5-5-1) and Hayley Ferguson (1-1) meet eight for Australian title.
China
On Saturday Aug. 9, flyweights Kaini He (0-0) and Xidi Wang (1-0) meet four rounds at Shenyang.
Italy
Sharon Prisco (3-0) defeated Linda Tescaroli (2-5) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Wednesday July 30. The super feather fight took place in Abruzzo.
Japan
Noa Tozawa (1-0-1) defeated Masako Numakura (1-6) by decision after six rounds on Sunday Aug. 3. The bantamweight fight took place in Sakai.
Kosovo
Michaela Kotaskova (11-0-2) defeated Neskihan Mollaoglu (1-1) by decision after eight rounds on Wednesday July 30. The welterweight fight was held in Pec.
New Zealand
Mea Motu (22-1) defeated Sara Jalonen (6-3) by decision after 10 rounds on Friday Aug. 1. The super featherweight fight took place in Auckland. Also, light fly Emma Nesbitt (9-1) knocked out Himanshi Raghav (5-2) in four.
South Africa
Gabisile Tshabalala (11-6-1) beat Tarisai Mutsau (1-1) by split decision after six rounds on Saturday Aug. 2. The super bantam fight was held in Cape Town.
Keabatswe Mathane (1-1) beat Abigail Gabonewe (0-1) in four rounds on Friday Aug. 1. The super fly match was held in Johannesburg.
South Korea
Kyeong Ju Bae (3-2) defeated Hye Jung Lee (2-2) in six rounds on Saturday Aug. 2. The featherweight fight was held in Incheon. Also, super fly Min Ji Choi (1-0) beat Myung Ji Lee (1-3) in four; and light fly Eun Young Lee (2-3) beat Hye Sun Park (0-1) in four.
Spain
Victoria Lomax (2-3) won by knockout over Paula Sanchez (0-1) in the second round on Saturday Aug. 2. The super featherweight fight was held in Malaga.
Thailand
Suphannika Tanchoem (5-1-1) won by decision after six rounds versus Tararat Phomvichai (0-1) on Sunday Aug. 3. The lightweight fight was held in Bangkok.
United Kingdom
Kelsey Leonard (1-0) won by technical knockout of Kira Carter (0-20-1) in the second round on Saturday Aug. 2. The featherweight fight was held in Belfast.
USA
Brook Sibrian (8-2) won by knockout over Katherine Lindenmuth (7-5) in the seventh round on Saturday Aug. 2. The minimumweight fight took place in San Jacinto, Calif. Also, super fly Perla Bazaldua (3-0) defeated Kedra Bradley (3-9-1) in four.
On Friday Aug. 8, super welters Maricela Cornejo (19-7) and Natasha Spence (8-8-2) meet six rounds at Toppenish, Wash.
On Saturday Aug. 9, lightweights Chelsey Anderson (7-0) and Claudia Herrera (4-3-1) meet six rounds at Pomona, Calif.
On Saturday Aug. 9, feathers Ali Pajuelo (2-0) and Tarrethia Dixon (2-6) meet four rounds at Miami Beach, Florida. Also, Brittany Thompson (1-0) and Malik Alexander (0-2) meet four.
Venezuela
Sara Suarez (4-0-2) defeated Albys Larez (4-2) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Aug. 2. The bantamweight fight took place in Caracas.