International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 in Las Vegas and More News
By David A. Avila
My favorite boxing event takes place this weekend in Las Vegas.
When I began covering boxing as a journalist in the 80s, I realized how lucky I was to be doing something I love. Along the way I discovered women’s boxing. Though women have been participating in boxing for centuries, it was not common.
In the 1990s watching Christy Martin fight on television or in person was a new experience. Soon other women engaged in the sport, but for many decades female boxing was not accepted.
Women’s boxing has entered a new realm today. With fighters like Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and Claressa Shield making seven figure paydays, the sport has finally reached a stage beyond arguing whether people like women’s boxing or not.
The sport is here to stay.
This weekend the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame has a two-day event beginning on Friday Oct. 9 with an amateur boxing tournament and then the induction ceremony on Saturday Oct. 10, at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
It is absolutely my favorite boxing event to attend.
The two-day event begins with the Beautiful Brawlers 15 tournament that features many top amateur female boxers from all over the country performing at Center Ring Boxing located on 2900 Torrey Pines Dr. in Las Vegas 89108. Many of these participants will later become future stars in the professional world.
On Saturday the induction ceremony and dinner takes place at the Orleans Hotel and Casino. Among those inducted will be:
Melissa “Huracan” Hernandez – originally from New York City who fought 18 years including incredible battles against Layla McCarter, Chevelle Hallback and Chantelle Cameron. A relentless competitor.
Cindy “Checkmate” Serrano – The big sister of Amanda Serrano fought many top fighters during a 15-year period when it was difficult to find opposition. Among those she opposed were Katie Taylor, Anne Sophie Mathis, and Rhonda Luna.
Kali “KO” Reis – talented fighter and equally talented movie star who fought 13 years professionally including momentous fights against Jessica Camara, Cecilia Braekhus, and Teresa Perozzi. Now she is conquering the motion picture world as an actor in award winning dramas. Talented.
Naoko Fujioka – Based in Tokyo, Japan she captured world titles in five weight divisions and accepted fights any place in the world. Later, during her final years, she took a chance to move to California where she trained with female boxing guru Ben Lira. She proceeded to fight against many top fighters including Marlen Esparza, Mariana Juarez and Yokasta Valle.
Eva Wahlstrom – super featherweight champion from Finland who fought many of the top female fighters just when women’s boxing was getting exposure. Among those she competed against were Katie Taylor, Melissa St. Vil and Terri Harper.
Seniesa Estrada – retired undefeated and as an undisputed minimumweight champion. The East L.A. native demonstrated that the smaller lower weight fighters could attract fans and pack power despite her small frame and weight. Among those Estrada fought were Yokasta Valle, Tina Rupprecht, and Marlen Esparza.
Ronica Jeffrey – based in Brooklyn, Jeffrey spent 11 years as a pro where she fought many of the top female fighters in the world. Among those she faced were Eva Wahlstrom, Olivia Gerula and Carla Torres. A very technically proficient fighter.
Raja Amasheh – a native of Jordan and based in Germany, the super flyweight fought 10 years and won a super flyweight world title. Among those she fought were Linda Lecca, Eva Voraberger and Eileen Olszewski.
Deborah Nichols – based in Georgia, she fought only three years in an age when it was difficult to find fights. Nichols never lost a fight that included contests against contests with Melinda Robinson, Sandra Yard and Carla Witherspoon.
Alejandra Oliveras – the Argentine fighter fought 12 years and was one of the reasons that country became a hotbed for boxing. Oliveras competed mostly at featherweight against Jackie Nava, Marcela Acuna and Liliana Palmera.
Chris Kreuz – based out of Chicago the featherweight fighter fought eight years professionally in an era when women’s boxing was trying to gain traction. Among those she faced were Sandra Yard, Angela Buchanan and Christy Martin.
Hollie Dunaway – Originally from Arkansas and then based in Las Vegas, for 10 years the minimumweight fighter engaged in battles against Vaia Zaganas, Terry Moss and Regina Halmich.
Heather Hardy – based in Brooklyn she fought for 12 years against many of the top female fighters of her generation. Her fight against Shelly Vincent on August 21, 2016, was the same day as Claressa Shield’s gold medal victory and proved that women’s boxing could attract fans and viewers.
Sandra Yard – based out of the Palm Springs, Calif. area she spent only five years as a pro but helped the sport grow during the 1990s. Yard faced rising talent like Layla McCarter, Jojo Wyman, and Cynthia Prouder. And always gave heated competition.
Momo Koseki – based out of Tokyo, the two-division world champion southpaw fought 10 years as a pro. Among those Koseki fought were Yuko Kuroki, Ayaka Miyao and Nora Cardoza. A very hard-punching fighter.
Mitzi Jeter – based out of Georgia the welterweight fought 26 times in six years against top competition. Among those she faced were Chevelle Hallback, Britt Van Buskirk and Belinda Laracuente. Those were a lot of fights in that span of time especially during that period.
Non Fighters Category
Al Bernstein – longtime radio and TV analyst for boxing. Based in Las Vegas.
Jeanette Salazar – Director for International Boxing Federation (IBF) based out of New Jersey.
Melvina Lathan – former chair for the New York State Athletic Commission. She also worked as a judge and supervised more than 800 bouts around the U.S.A.
Bettina Palle – a promoter based in Denmark, she followed her father’s footsteps into the world of boxing and has promoted many of the top boxing cards in Europe.
Special Awards
Christy Martin and Deirdre Gogarty – for their epic and pivotal battle that took place in 1996.
Blanca Gutierrez – for her development of the Beautiful Brawlers program that develops amateur boxing.
Daveida “Candy” Jacobs – lifelong advocate of boxing following in the footsteps of her late father Dave Jacobs.
More Fight News
Argentina
Milagros Herrera (8-0) won by unanimous decision after 10 rounds versus Mia Nievas (3-6-3) on Friday Oct. 2. The bantamweight fight took place in Buenos Aires.
On Friday Oct. 9, super feathers Daiana Rodriguez (1-3-1) and Maira Sanchez (1-1) meet four rounds at Santa Fe.
On Saturday Oct. 10, flyweights Carla Battista (9-0) and Diana Delbono (5-4-1) meet 10 rounds at San Pedro.
Canada
On Thursday Oct. 8, super feathers Leila Beaudoin (15-2) and Brisa Rosario (9-1-2) meet 10 rounds for the title at Quebec.
Chile
Marilyn Ortega (2-0-1) beat Fernanda Soto (2-4) by decision after six rounds on Friday Oct. 2. The super flyweight match was held in Osorno.
Costa Rica
Julianna Rodriguez (10-0) knocked out Ninoska Morles (1-5) in the second round on Saturday Oct. 3. The bantamweight fight was held in Guanacaste. Also, light fly Nicolle Bustos (3-0) beat Noyling Yoconda (0-3) after four.
Egypt
On Sunday Oct. 11, lightweights Hagar Elsayed (9-0) and Yomner Yasser (0-0) meet four rounds at Cairo.
France
On Saturday Oct. 10, super feathers Isis Pizagou (3-2-1) and Marina Sakharov (6-22-2) meet eight rounds at Marmoutier.
Germany
Mikaela Lauren (34-9-1) knocked out Lena Venjacob (8-4) in the first round on Saturday Oct. 3. The welterweight fight took place in St. Pauli.
On Saturday Oct. 10, super lightweights Songuel Ayten (5-2) and Oliwia Koziura (0-4) meet six rounds at Karlsruhe. Also, lightweights Cheyenne Hanson (17-3) and Maria Miranda (17-24) meet six.
Guatemala
On Saturday Oct. 10, light flyweights Angie Castillo (1-3) and Aylin Jamez (3-0) meet six rounds at Guatemala City. Also, feathers Anllely Escobar (4-1) and Karla Chavez (0-1) meet four; and atomweights Dennis Rojas (0-1) and Diana Alvarado (0-1) meet four.
On Saturday Oct. 10, lightweights Odalis Recinos (0-2) and Nancy Sanan (0-1-1) meet four rounds at Mixco.
Hungary
On Friday Oct. 9, welterweights Luca Hamori (1-0) and Asha Ngedere (4-16-3) meet four rounds at Budapest.
Ireland
On Friday Oct. 9, super lights Christina Desmond (5-0) and Louise Creaven (6-2) meet 10 rounds at Cork. Also, super feathers Zara Breslin (2-0) and Antonina Cuti (2-22-1) meet six.
Japan
Shiori Yotsumoto (4-0) knocked out Ran Higuchi (4-4-3) in the fourth round on Monday Sept. 28. The regional atomweight title fight was held in Tokyo. Also, Hana Tanihara (5-1) beat Mont Blanc Miki (9-9-1) in six; and atomweight Miyako Nakao (2-2) beat Emily Abe (1-6-1) by majority decision.
Russia
On Saturday Oct. 10, lightweights Natalia Shadrina (4-0) and Anzhelika Tsoy (0-0) meet 10 rounds at Moscow.
South Korea
On Friday Oct. 9, flyweights Ji Hyun Bang (1-0) and Ye Ji Han (0-0) meet four rounds at Seoul.
Spain
Jenifer Fernandez (3-0) knocked out Luisiana Bolivar (12-10-1) in the fourth round on Sunday Oc. 4. The featherweight fight took place in Madrid. Also, super feather Jeniffer Miranda (13-1) knocked out Militza Salazar (12-5) in three; minimumweight Cristina Navarro (10-4) knocked out Consuelo Portolani (7-9) in two; and Clara Cortes (3-0) knocked out Maria Milano (13-6-2) in five.
Thailand
On Wed. Oct. 7, featherweights Napaporn Ruengsuwan (11-4) and Inthira Pengkrajom (3-5) meet six rounds at Bangkok. Also, atomweights Monthawee Srisongkhram (3-8) and Siritorn Ponpai (4-3-1) meet six.
Ukraine
Anastasia Kovalenko (2-0) knocked out Daria Matsuliak (0-1) in the second round on Saturday Oct. 3. The flyweight fight took place in Vinnytsia. Also, Oksana Bondarenko (9-2) beat Liubov Oksha (2-2-1)
United Kingdom
Gabriela Strikaityte (4-0) defeated Antonella Molina (4-34-2) in six on Saturday Oct. 3. The super bantam fight took place in Harrow.
Paige Murney (5-0) won by decision after four rounds against Linzi Buczynskyj (6-13) on Saturday Oct. 3. The lightweight fight was held in Birmingham.
Hannah Robinson (7-0) defeated Katherine Quintana (0-47-1) by decision after six rounds on Friday Oct. 2. The super lightweight fight took place in Houghton le Spring.
Mia Hull (2-0) beat Kira Carter (0-37-1) by decision after four rounds on Thursday Oct. 1. The bantamweight fight took place in Cannock.
On Saturday Oct. 10, lightweights Carla Jade (4-1-1) and Erika Einarsdottir (0-0) meet five rounds at London. DAZN will stream the Misfits card.
USA
Angela Stiggers (1-0) defeated Brittany Dukes (3-11-2) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Oct. 3. The featherweight fight took place in Altamonte Springs, Florida.
Amanda Lovato (3-4-1) won by split decision after eight rounds against Randee Lynn Morales (6-9) on Saturday Oct. 3. The super flyweight fight took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Janiya Escareno (1-0) knocked out Reaudrey Fuller (0-1) in one on Saturday Oct. 3. The bantamweight fight took place in Houston, Texas.
Naomy Cardenas (11-2) won by decision after eight rounds against Melanie Timko (5-1) on Friday Oct. 2. The bantamweight title fight took place in El Paso, Texas. Also, super welter Ariana Carrasco (4-0) beat Angelica Flores (0-1) after four.
On Thursday Oct. 8, super lightweights Nadia Moreno (0-2) and Kacey Wheeler (3-1) meet four rounds at Washington D.C.
On Saturday Oct. 10, bantams Maya Hernandez (2-0) and Sarah Click (2-15-2) meet four rounds at Long Beach, Calif.
On Saturday Oct. 10, lightweights Azariah Cottrell (0-0) and Karla Valenzuela (3-41-3) meet four rounds t Kansas City, Missouri.
Zimbabwe
On Friday Oct. 9, super bantams Sehliselswe Nhliziyo (1-4-1) and Dorcus Thabologo (1-1) meet six rounds at Bulawayo.
