Another Look at MVPs Event in Orlando and More: Stephanie Han and MVPs Takeover

 

By David A. Avila

Newly signed and eager to perform Stephanie Han ran into a left that delivered her to the floor as a surprised look crossed the face of her foe Paulina Angel. Han would easily beat the count and rally to victory.

Han, 34, is one of the fighting Hans of El Paso, Texas whose entire family have been raised with boxing gloves from childhood to adulthood. Her sister Jennifer Han was a former world champion too who recently retired.

It was supposed to be a showcase for Han who recently signed with Most Valuable Promotions the outfit signing many of the top female fighters in the world. Instead, she found herself trying to out-slug the innocent looking 24-year-old Angel who welcomed every fistic exchange.

When the scores were read Colombia’s Angel broke down in tears. She felt she had done enough. Han looked disappointed but probably realized she dodged a bullet in winning the fight with skill not aggressiveness.

Han gave Angel full credit for performing with intensity and grit. It was a classy gesture and one not often seen in the sport of boxing any more. The Texan will probably be matched against Holly Holm who recently returned to the sport after 12 years away.

Holm watched the fight at ringside.

More than a few people on social media claimed Holm will run over Han. None of those fans probably have ever seen Holm box before. She is not a strong puncher and was never known for knockouts. She was probably better in MMA because of her powerful kicks, not her punches.

When Han and Holm meet it will come down to skill and stamina. Who has more.

 

Artiga Wins

One other world title fights on the MVP card pitted Jasmine Artiga defending the WBA super flyweight title against Australia’s Linn Sandstrom. It ended in a second round knockout as Artiga simply overwhelmed Sandstrom with punches and the referee interceded.

It was a vast improvement over her previous fight that saw her win the title in San Bernardino, Calif. where judges somehow gave her a majority decision win over Mexico’s Regina Chavez.

Though out-boxed thoroughly by Chavez for most of the 10-round fight, it seemed the judges saw future Boxing Hall of Fame candidate Nonito Donaire who was in Artiga’s corner, and favored any close round to the Florida-based fighter.

The Artiga-Chavez match was streamed by ProBoxTV and commentators Paul Malignaggi and others were shocked at the decision too and voiced their disapproval.

That night was not a good one for Artiga. But sometimes you need a little luck to go in your favor.

Meanwhile Chavez, a meek looking fighter from Mexico City continues to run into hard luck. After the loss to Artiga she was matched against LeAnna Cruz in her hometown Philadelphia. Chavez lost again though in this fight Cruz fought much more impressively than Artiga and emerged with a unanimous decision win.

A match between Artiga and Cruz could be worth watching. Phillie versus Tampa could take place anywhere on the East Coast and draw interest.

The winner of that fight could go proceed to target other super flyweight champions such as IBF Irma Garcia, WBO Mizuki Hiruta, WBC Asley Gonzalez. Garcia and Gonzalez fight out of Mexico. Hiruta fights out of Japan but is signed with American promoter 360 Boxing Promotions.

Most Valuable Promotions has suddenly taken center spot in the female fight world with its multiple signings of talented pugilists over the past year.

Amanda Serrano has become the straw that stirs the drink in female boxing. Though she lost three decisions to Katie Taylor her ability to draw fans makes her the rallying pole for women’s boxing. And MVP’s ability to pay its fighters top dollar is an attractive lure.

It seems MVP has overtaken Matchroom Boxing’s place at the top of the ladder for women’s boxing.

 

Skye at 122

Former featherweight champ Skye Nicolson returned to Australia to fight on her native soil since losing to Tiara Brown back in March. This time she got the win and at a lower weight division 122 pounds.

For the second consecutive time the lightning quick southpaw Nicolson got a knockout. This time against India’s Urvashi Singh who turned her back after getting blasted to the stomach with a body shot.

Maybe 122 is perfect for Nicolson who seems on a mission to burn and pillage instead of hit and run. It suits her.

A rematch with Brown seemed on tap but now there is word that the new WBC featherweight champ could be defending on September 20 at Houston, Texas. No foe has been established.

 

USA vs UK in SF Bay Area

We seldom mention amateur events, but this one is special.

The Martha Salazar Invitational takes place on Sunday Aug. 31 as the top USA female amateurs face the top amateurs from the United Kingdom at Babyface Boxing located at 1021 Terra Nova Blvd. in Pacifica, Calif. 94044.

Beautiful Brawlers 12 sponsors the event that includes many of the best boxers from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Among the various events slated to take place are Faith Gomez of Stockton, Calif. versus Lexi Joyce of England; Marly Guerra of Las Vegas facing Georgia Wilson of England and many more.

Doors open at noon and parking is free. Tickets for admission are $35 and $60 for ringside. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information call Blanca Gutierrez 415) 694-1907 or web site www.babyfaceboxing.net

The event is named after Martha Salazar the first Mexican heavyweight WBC world titlist who will be in attendance.

 

Gabriela Fundora

Undisputed flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora (16-0, 8 Kos) met with the press 1021Tuesday Aug. 26, at Golden Boy Promotions headquarters in Los Angeles to discuss her upcoming defense against Argentna’s Ayelin Granadino (12-2-4, 1 KO) the mandatory for the WBA title.

Fundora has a seven-inch height advantage and will be making her third title defense on Sept. 20, at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif.

Also, unified minimumweight male champion Oscar Collazo will be defending his WBO and WBA titles too.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Sol Tejeda (6-1-5) defeated Celeste Del Valle (5-7-1) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Aug. 23. The flyweight fight was held in Los Cerrillos.

Dayana Diaz (2-0-2) drew with Mirna Rodriguez (0-2) after four rounds On Friday Aug. 22. The super bantam fight took place in Unquillo.

On Friday Aug. 29, super feathers Brisa Rosario (6-1-1) and Laura Carabajal (4-3-1) meet 10 rounds for the Argentine title at Las Heras.

On Saturday Aug. 30, minimumweights Mercedes Reyna (4-0-3) and Claudia Ruiz (6-2-1) meet 10 rounds for Argentine title at Buenos Aires.

On Saturday Aug. 30, super lightweights Lorena Balbuena (2-0) and Leila Robledo (2-0-1) meet 10 rounds at Buenos Aires.

 

Australia

Skye Falzone (11-2) knocked out Usanakorn Thawilsuhannawang (21-10) in the fifth round on Saturday Aug. 23. The featherweight match was held in Bateman’s Bay.

Mai Soliman (9-1) knocked out Khwunchit Khunya (6-20-1) in two on Saturday Aug. 23. The super fly match was held in Condell Park. Also, super welter Chloe Chaos (7-2-1) beat Macca Jean (1-4) in eight; fly Jemma Peart (7-1) beat Sarah Linton (2-6) in eight;

Skye Nicolson (14-1) knocked out Urvashi Singh (12-4) in two on Saturday Aug. 23. The super bantam match was held in Fortitude Valley. Also, Leah Reuben (3-2-1) knocked out Jittamat Phomta (9-12) in the seventh.

Jasmine Parr (8-1) knocked out Efasha Kamarudin (8-1-1) in the fifth on Wednesday Aug. 20. The super fly match was held in Sydney. Also, super middle Ashleigh Heal (1-0) beat Shannon Rose (0-2) in four.

On Saturday Aug. 30, lightweights Tywarna Campbell (5-2-2) and Maureen Chand (4-7) meet 10 rounds for Australian title at Wollongong.

 

China

On Saturday Aug. 30, super feathers Dilnaer Maimaiti (1-0) and Ziwei Zhang (0-0) meet six rounds at Xi An.

 

Democratic Rep. of the Congo

On Saturday Aug. 30, super middles Daniela Muleketsi (1-1) and Sabrina Mbwewe (2-2) meet six rounds at Goma.

 

Finland

Jonna Hakkarainen (4-0) beat Dajana Rakovic (2-5) in four rounds on Saturday Aug. 23. The super feather match was held in Kotka.

 

France

On Thursday Aug. 28, super feathers Rima Ayad (11-0) and Elif Nur Turhan (10-0) meet 10 rounds at Enghien.

 

Germany

Mandy Bohm (5-1) knocked out Diana Kulinova (4-15) in the third round on Saturday Aug. 23. The super lightweight fight took place in Oberhausen.

 

Japan

Yuko Henzan (10-12-4) knocked out Panumad Bubpamalo (8-8) in the fifth on Tuesday Aug. 19. The flyweight contest took place in Naha.

Hinata Takakura (3-0) beat Sari Metcalf (3-3-2) after six rounds on Tuesday Aug. 19. The Japanese bantam title fight took place in Tokyo. Also, super feather Akane Fujiwara (8-5-1) knocked out Noppaket Srisawas (10-5) in four.

 

Kenya

On Saturday Aug. 30, lightweights Sarah Achieng (16-2) and Martha Akinyi (0-2) meet six rounds at Nairobi. Also, super feathers Consolata Musanga (12-8-4) and Rachael Musubika (4-4) meet six.

 

South Africa

On Saturday Aug. 30, minimumweights Hanna Von Wirth (1-1) and Zanele Masilela (0-1) meet four rounds at Johannesburg.

 

South Korea

On Saturday Aug. 30, flyweights Eun Joe Cha (1-0-2) and Ye Rin Lee (0-1) meet four rounds at Incheon.

 

Tanzania

On Saturday Aug. 30, super bantams Rachel Msengi (1-0) and Christina Raura (0-0-1) meet eight rounds at Dodoma. Also, feathers Dorisia Mazige (2-0) and Dorothea Muhoza (1-5-1) meet six.

 

Thailand

Super bantams Yanyu Li (4-4-2) and Terumi Nuki (15-7-1) fought to a majority draw after eight rounds on Sunday Aug. 24. The match was held in Bangkok.

On Saturday Aug. 30, flyweights Hin Ting Chan (10-1) and Kanyaphat Baonok (3-0) meet eight rounds at Bangkok. Also, super flies Magdalena Szwed (3-0) and Patteera Tanapornchinpong (1-3-1) meet six; bantams Tomomi Takano (13-5-1) and Sukanya Wiriya (3-5-1) meet four; and Kristina Tsyngaeva (0-0-1) and Kamonthip Aemsakun (1-2) meet four.

 

Turkey

On Thursday Aug. 28, flyweights Solmaz Alu (0-1) and Shirin Shabani (2-0) meet four rounds at Van.

 

Uganda

On Saturday Aug. 30, lightweights Natasha Kabagambe (0-0) and Suzan Nanyonga (0-0) meet four rounds at Kampala.

 

USA

Stephanie Han (11-0) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Paulina Angel (7-2-2) on Saturday Aug. 23. The WBA lightweight title fight was held in Orlando, Florida. Also, WBA super fly Jasmine Artiga (14-0-1) knocked out Linn Sandstrom (10-4-3) in the third; plus super fly Natalie Dove (6-0-1) knocked out Randee Lynn Morales (5-6) in five; and light fly Jocelyn Camarillo (5-0) defeated Augustina Vazquez (4-5-2) in four.

Chiara Dituri (12-2) defeated Colleen Davis (4-4-1) by unanimous decision after eight on Saturday Aug. 23. The featherweight match took place in Riverhead, NY.

On Saturday Aug. 30, super bantams Moni Trejo (4-3-1) and Anyela Lopez (4-2-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Cicero, Illinois. Also, welters Sarah French (5-2-2) and Suzana Rodriguez (6-1) meet eight.

On Saturday Aug. 30, super lights Cinderella Linnear (0-0) and Desiree Davila (0-0) meet four rounds at Fort Woth, Texas.

On Saturday Aug. 30, feathers Jennifer Ruiz (5-1) and Wendy Villegas (2-7) meet four rounds at Laredo, Texas.