Undisputed Fly Champ Gabriela Fundora Challenged by Kenia Enriquez

 

By David A. Avila

The tall menacing figure of Gabriela Fundora extended her arms up proudly after battering Canada’s Alexas Kubicki and forcing the referee to stop the fight. Once again she retained the undisputed flyweight championship.

Undisputed. That’s a lofty term.

Following the lopsided victory DAZN announcers and promoters proclaimed Fundora unbeatable in the flyweight division and perhaps the light flyweight division too, should she desire to try those gals.

Quietly, one person observed the fight and had this to say:

“Every fight she is looking more confident, in every fight she looks more sure of her herself.  Those are the only strong points,” said Mexico’s Kenia Enriquez, a former flyweight champion. “She is growing but she still looks to me like a rookie fighter, nothing about her style surprises me or makes me worry.”

Enriquez dares Fundora to fight her.

Tijuana’s Enriquez has long been one of the world’s most avoided fighters in female boxing. Any world champion who fought in the light flyweight and now flyweight division refused to meet her in the ring.

The shame was that sanctioning organizations like the WBC allowed it for over a decade. Now 32, she still has not fought for a world title since 2014. The list of champions that avoided meeting her in the prize ring is astounding.

Although Enriquez was ranked number one for most of the past 10 years the WBC instead gave her a useless interim title. They never forced the reigning light flyweight or flyweight champions to defend against her.

Recently, Enriquez was dropped from the rankings after taking part in an MMA fight for Combate Global. She needed to survive financially, so accepted an MMA fight. Still, in boxing, she has not lost a fight in 10 years and has victories over Yesica Nery Plata the current WBC light flyweight titlist, Ibeth Zamora, and many others.

Despite her success, Enriquez is still overlooked or ignored.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Fundora was allowed to fight Mexico’s Arely Mucino for the IBF title back in 2023. But Enriquez, who was the number one ranked flyweight at the time, was never given the opportunity to face Mucino.

Not that Fundora is unworthy of her status or awards such as Ring Magazine’s “Female Fighter of the Year,” especially after her knockout win over Argentina’s Gabriela Alaniz. That was impressive. Side note: (Kenia Enriquez was paid step aside money to allow Fundora to fight Alaniz).

After Fundora’s big win over Alaniz, the team of Kenia Enriquez expected to get a call that they were next. That call never came.

And when Enriquez attempted to reach out to Fundora and challenge her on Instagram, she was blocked out by Fundora.

“She blocked me from Instagram because I kept challenging in the comments, she thinks because she can’t see me, I don’t exist.  I am only a phone call away,” said Enriquez.

Felipe Leon, who has been a constant part of Enriquez’s boxing career had this to say: “Kenia is female boxing’s best kept secret and has been for too long…Kenia is the one to beat at 112 pounds.”

 

Tiara Brown Wins

WBC featherweight titlist Tiara Brown out-fought France’s Emma Gongora to win by unanimous decision after 10 rounds at Houston, Texas last weekend. It was Brown’s first title defense since beating Aussie Skye Nicolson.

A rematch against Nicolson is expected to happen soon unless super champion Amanda Serrano of Puerto Rico offers a match. But don’t expect it. Serrano dumped the WBC belt because that organization will not allow women to fight three-minute rounds.

 

Layla McCarter

The “Amazing” Layla McCarter (47-13-5) travels to Cuernavaca, Mexico to meet Liliana Palmera (31-18-3) in a 10 three-minute rounds welterweight fight.

McCarter has long been one of female boxing’s legendary fighters. She has not lost a fight since 2007 when Melissa Hernandez accomplished the feat.

Based in Las Vegas, McCarter still seeks a title shot at one of the welterweight titlists.

 

Pomona Fights

Welterweights clash at the Fox Theater in Pomona on Saturday Sept, 27, when Brianda Cruz (2-0) and Susana Bolanos (2-0) meet six rounds.

DMG Boxing Promotions is staging the event called “Night of Champions IV.” Doors open at 6 p.m. It will also be shown on pay-per-view at millions.co/dmg.

 

Canada Showdown

Big showdown in Montreal as Argentina’s Sol Cudos (10-0-2) and Kim Clavel (21-2) meet 10 rounds for the IBF world title on Saturday Sept. 27. DAZN will stream the Most Valuable Promotions fight card.

Also, bantams Amanda Galle (11-0-1) and Alondra Hernandez (19-11-2) meet eight; light flies Naomy Valle (14-0) and Federica Madri (6-0-1) meet eight; and middleweights Tamm Thibeault (3-0) and Cristina Mazzotta (1-0) meet six.

 

More Fight News

Argentina

Sharon Abratti (3-4-1) won by decision after four versus Jessica Bustos (3-2-1) on Friday Sept. 19. The super lightweight fight was held in Bell Ville.

 

Australia

On Thursday Sept. 25, welters Jessica Messina (6-1) and Arlene Blencowe (4-5) meet eight rounds at Bella Vista.

 

Canada

Evelin Bermudez (22-1-1) knocked out Sara Bailey (6-1) in the first round on Saturday Sept. 2-0. The IBF and WBO light flyweight world title fight took place in Ottawa.

On Saturday Sept. 27, minimumweights Sol Cudos (10-0-2) and Kim Clavel (21-2) meet 10 rounds for the IBF world title at Montreal. Also, bantams Amanda Galle (11-0-1) and Alondra Hernandez (19-11-2) meet eight; light flies Naomy Valle (14-0) and Federica Madri (6-0-1) meet eight; and middleweights Tamm Thibeault (3-0) and Cristina Mazzotta (1-0) meet six.

 

Democratic Rep. of Congo

On Friday Sept. 26, super lights Isabel Daia (0-1) and Alice Bindunga (1-2) meet four rounds at Kinsasha. Also, heavies Marie Mwika (0-0) and Fila Eyenga (0-2) meet four.

 

India

On Wednesday Sept. 24, feathers Nishi Vaish (1-3) and Kanishka Kanishka (0-0) meet four rounds at New Delhi. Also, Anshu Rambir (2-1) and Janvi Janvi (0-0) meet four.

 

Japan

Madoka Waada (5-0) knocked out Peeyalux Sanpokang (10-6) in the seventh round on Saturday Sept. 20. The minimumweight fight was held in Tokyo. Also, atomweight Ayumi Shuzui (4-1) beat Reira Kobayashi (0-1); Natsume Kikuchi (2-1-1) knocked out Emily Abe (1-5) in four; feather Anera Osawa (4-0-1) knocked out Yoshie Wakasa (9-5) in eight; bantam Chaoz Minawa (10-4) beat Yuki Fuke (4-2-1) in six; flyweight Maiko Iwasaki (3-0) won majority decision over Miku Nagasaki (2-4-1) in four; Reina Chiku (1-0) won majority decision in four versus Ao Oyama (0-1-1); and bantam Mamiko Kageyama (2-1) knocked out Yuki Katayama (0-2) in four.

Sazanami Balu (6-0-1) knocked out Prangwilai Wangbun (5-1) in the third round on Wednesday Sept. 17. The regional flyweight title fight was held in Tokyo.

 

Mexico

On Saturday Sept. 27, welterweights Layla McCarter (47-13-5) and Liliana Palmera (31-18-3) meet 10 three-minute rounds at Cuernavaca.

On Saturday Sept. 27, light flies Jackie Calvo (24-9-2) and Alma Meraz (10-4-1) meet 10 rounds at Metepec.

 

Netherlands

Tessa Van Stenus (2-3) knocked out Ilona Zuendorf (0-7) in four on Saturday sept. 20. The match was held in Den Dungen.

 

Russia

On Friday Sept. 26, welters Azalia Amineva (3-0) and Neslihan Mollaoglu (0-0) meet six rounds at Ufa.

 

South Africa

Hanna Von Wirth (3-1) defeated Hariet Mtendi (1-7) in four rounds on Sunday Sept. 21. The minimumweight fight took place in Johannesburg.

Ntombaqala Tolashe (8-5) beat Matshidiso Mokebisi (18-16-2) by decision after eight rounds on Friday Sept. 19. The featherweight fight was held in Cape Town. Also, light fly Sibulele Soboois (4-0) beat Zizo Skoti (1-4-1) in six; minimumweight Olwethu Mkhathala (3-0) beat Emma Mohono (0-3) in six; bantam Sonelo Mbombo (1-0) knocked out Rethabile Tshepe (0-1) in two; and flyweights Likho Nxele (1-0-1) and Noxolo Magagula (0-3) drew after six.

 

South Korea

On Saturday Sept. 27, flies Hye Sun Park (0-1) and Ji In Kim (0-0) meet four rounds at Incheon.

 

Spain

Keylin Maradiaga (13-0-1) defeated Molly Teaney (0-1) in four on Friday Sept. 19. The light flyweight fight was held in Aranda de Duero.

On Saturday Sept. 27, super bantams Odelia Ben Ephraim (5-4) and Teresa Maikinen (3-0) meet eight rounds at Santa Pola.

 

Switzerland

On Saturday Sept. 27, minimumweights Gabriela Timar (14-2) and Johana Zuniga (20-11-1) meet 10 rounds at Basel.

 

Tanzania

On Friday Sept. 26, light flies Sophia Hamisi (1-4-1) and Lailat Suedi (1-0) meet 10 rounds for the Tanzanian title at Mbeya. Also, feathers Tatiana Ezekiel (1-2-2) and Vailet Modest (0-1) meet six.

 

Thailand

On Friday Sept. 26, super flies Aisha Kamaleldin (4-0) and Kanyarat Nunoi (10-9-3) meet eight rounds at Bangkok.

 

Turkey

On Saturday Sept. 27, super bantams Seren Cetin (12-1) and Fabiana Bytiqi (22-1-2) meet 10 rounds at Fethiye.

 

Ukraine

Veronika Timoshyna (1-1) beat Alina Krit (0-2) in four on Saturday Sept. 20. The lightweight match was held in Odesa.

 

United Arab Emirates

Anahit Aroyan (15-1) won by unanimous decision after eight rounds versus Stumai Muki Paulo (11-6) on Saturday Sept. 20. The bantam fight was held in Dubai. Also, welter Aleksandra Sitnikova (3-1) knocked out Virpal Kaur (1-5-1) in two.

 

United Kingdom

Kacie Doocey (2-0) knocked out Rajwant Kaur (5-5) in three on Saturday Sept. 20. The super lightweight fight was held in Rotherham. Also, middleweight Bree Burbeary (6-0) beat Bojana Libiszewska (7-72-) in six. And feather Billi Jarmolinski (1-0) beat Kira Carter (0-22-1) in four.

Doina Costin (3-1) defeated Alisha Lewis (0-1) in four on Friday Sept. 19. The featherweight fight was held in Wolverhampton.

On Saturday Sept. 27, super lights Hannah Robinson (4-0) and Beccy Ferguson (6-14) meet six rounds at Houghton le Spring.

On Saturday Sept. 27, super bantams Tysie Gallagher (9-2) and Ellie Hellewell (7-0) meet 10 rounds for the British title at Sheffield.

 

USA

Gabriela Fundora (17-0) knocked out Alexas Kubicki (13-2) in seven on Saturday sept. 20. The undisputed flyweight world championship fight took place in Indio, Calif. Also, flyweight Adriana Pineiro (9-0) beat Gloria Munguilla (8-2) in eight.

Tiara Brown (20-0) defeated Emma Gongora (10-4-1) by unanimous decision after 10 on Saturday Sept. 20. The WBC feather world title fight took place in Houston, Texas.

Middleweights Olivia Curry (7-2-2) and Kaye Scott (4-1-1) fought to a majority draw after 10 rounds on Friday Sept. 19. The WBC middleweight title fight was held in Detroit. The title remains vacant. Also, super bantam Jelena Mrdjenovich (44-12-2) defeated Liliana Martinez (25-23) in eight.

Sonya Dreiling (7-9) defeated Carmen Gulliksen (2-2) after four on Wednesday Sept. 17. The middleweight match was held in Richmond, Virginia.

On Saturday Sept. 27, super lights Jennah Creason (2-0-1) and Alivia Bierley (0-0) meet six rounds at Friant, Calif.

On Saturday Sept, 27, welters Brianda Cruz (2-0) and Susana Bolanos (2-0) meet six rounds at Pomona, Calif.

On Saturday Sept. 27, super feathers Elayna Rowe (0-0) and Chantal Sumrall (0-1) meet four rounds at Oklahoma City.

On Saturday Sept. 27, feathers Shannel Butler (4-0) and Nancy Franco (19-24-2) meet six rounds at Pittsburgh, Pa.