Layla McCarter in Mexico and More News
By David A. Avila
Longtime veteran fighter Layla “the Amazing” McCarter returns to Mexico where she will fight Viridiana Rivera in a welterweight main event Mexico on Friday.
McCarter has been fighting since 1998 and has not lost a match since 2007.
McCarter (48-13-5, 14 Kos) continues to hunt for that big fight and will seek a fourth consecutive knockout win when she faces Rivera (4-2-1) on Friday Oct. 23 in Cuernavaca in a welterweight match set for 10 rounds. No American TV.
At age 47, the Las Vegas-based fighter McCarter continues to dominate the opposition with ring smarts gained from her more than 28 years of actual experience as a pro fighter. Few female boxers in history have as many pro bouts as McCarter who has 66 on her ledger.
“My primary goal is to leave a lasting legacy. I would like a strong finish to my career,” McCarter said from Mexico. “It could mean a marquis fight or simply retiring with over 20 years undefeated, 70+ fights, 50+ wins and a top 2 rating.”
It’s been difficult for McCarter to receive a fight in the U.S. But Mexico with its gluttony of female fighters are ready and willing to take a shot at contesting the short-haired American fighter.
The last time anyone defeated McCarter took place in 2007 when she lost to Melissa Hernandez who was recently inducted into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame two weeks ago. They fought each other four times with Hernandez beating her by decision in Las Vegas on April 2007. McCarter won the three other times.
“My career has seen different phases and is likely to end in the near future,” McCarter said.
Throughout her career McCarter has sought to break barriers. She has captured world titles in five divisions and was one of the first to agree to fight 12 three-minute rounds. For many years McCarter was the top female fighter pound for pound until the arrival of the Olympians.
Sadly, McCarter was never able to face the new generation of fighters after the Olympians arrived despite not losing a fight in 19 years. She is currently ranked number one as a welterweight in the USA and number 2 in the world by Boxrec.
It is difficult to measure the Las Vegas fighter’s abilities because of the lack of television coverage and exposure. But in her career McCarter has fought world champions, contenders from many different weight classes including featherweights to light heavyweights.
“Physically, I’m stronger than I was in the past and know how to use it. Naturally, some things change with age ie metabolism, recovery, etc, but so far, so good. Mentally, I’m better than ever in and out of the ring,” explained McCarter.
Of course, some question McCarter’s fighting abilities. She faces Rivera a Mexican fighter out of Veracruz who lost to the late Hannah Rapp last February in Tlaxcala. Rapp was killed by a drunk driver this past July in Texas.
“I’ve spent almost 30 years as a professional boxer and have proved myself time and again,” said McCarter. “The biggest change in myself that I’ve noticed over time is that I’m satisfied, meaning I am not always trying to prove something nowadays. A sign perhaps, that retirement is near.”
Can McCarter continue her mission?
Next year will be 20 years undefeated. That is an incredible feat for the certain Hall of Fame fighter.
More Fight News
Argentina
Romina Nunez (5-11-1) won by majority decision over Victoria Moreyra (3-12-2) after six rounds on Saturday Oct. 17. The super fly fight was held in Villa Madero.
Yenifer Nunez (3-1) defeated Josefina Garcia (1-1) after four rounds on Saturday Oct. 17. The super bantamweight fight took place in Buenos Aires.
Dayana Diaz (3-1-3) beat Marcela Acuna (2-5-1) by decision after six rounds on Friday Oct. 16. The bantamweight fight took place in Cruz del Eje.
On Saturday Oct. 24, minimumweights Maria Baumstarh (15-7-1) and Yadira Bustillos (11-3) meet 10 rounds at Buenos Aires for interim IBF title. Also, flyweights Gabriela Alaniz (20-2) and Tania Garcia (12-12-2) meet 10.
Australia
On Saturday Oct. 24, flyweights Mishelle Macantangay (2-2) and Sarah Higginson (4-8-2) meet eight rounds at Yagoona. Also, Jemma Peart (9-2) and Goli Bali (2-1) meet six; lightweights Taye Washington (0-0) and Tayla Jabbour (0-0) meet four; and heavyweights Sherilyn Stevens (2-0) and Emylie Murrell (1-0) meet four.
Canada
On Wednesday Oct. 21, super feathers Alessia Mansueto (2-0) and Yulia Puchenia (0-2) meet six rounds at Montreal.
China
Li Liu (4-1) knocked out Praethip Pawuttinun (8-3) in the second round on Sunday Oc. 18. The super feather fight was held in Xi An.
Fengli Shi (1-0) knocked out Qian Zhao (0-1) in the second round on Saturday Oct. 17. The welterweight fight was held in Hangzhou.
Colombia
On Sunday Oct. 25, lightweights Basilia Mancilla (10-13-2) and Ana Reyes (6-3) meet six rounds at Valle del Cauca.
Dominican Republic
Shamara Santiago (9-0-1) beat Diana Collado (16-39) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Oct. 17. The super light fight was held in Santa Domingo.
France
On Saturday Oct. 24, super bantams Melina Ainaoui (4-2-1) and Ingrid Brodu (3-4) meet eight rounds at La Roche.
Germany
On Sunday Oct. 25, heavyweights Annabell Honert (10-0) and Jenifer Hoklova (1-4) meet eight rounds at Wiesbaden. AlMso, super lightweights Miriam Liefland (1-1) and Anastasia Hensel (0-1) meet six.
Philippines
Gretel Del Paz (9-7-3) defeated Carleans Rivas (9-10-4) by decision after eight rounds on Sunday Oct. 18. The super flyweight match was held in Cavite. Also, minimumweight Aime Impas (2-0) knocked out Banthita Pumkrathok (7-2) in five; flyweight Renz Dacquel (4-3-1) knocked out Charimae Salvador (5-12) in two; super fly Aisha Kamaleldin (7-0) knocked out Katsara Jatpukdee (12-15-1) in five.
South Korea
Ye Kyeng Seo (11-1-3) knocked out Wisuta Sririttidet (11-9) in the third round on Saturday Oct. 17. The minimumweight title fight was held in Seoul.
On Saturday Oct. 24, lightweights Bo Mi Re Shin (19-4-3) and Mandeep Kaur (8-0) meet 10 rounds at Yongin. Also, minimumweights Si Yeon Ryu (5-1) and Li Gz Li (1-0-1) meet six.
Spain
Griselda Torollari (2-1) beat Marta Ortola (3-5) by decision after five rounds on Saturday Oct. 17. The bantamweight fight took place in Puzol.
On Friday Oct. 23, featherweights Alba Sanchez (9-5) and Fruzsina Gyarfas (0-1) meet six rounds at Torreledones. Also, super lightweights Maria Horche (6-0) and Sonia Fracassi (5-2) meet six.
On Saturday Oct. 24, super lightweights Clara Lopez (3-2-1) and Christina Desmond (6-0) meet 10 rounds for the EBU title at Sagurito.
On Saturday Oct. 24, heavyweights Shone Larkman (2-0) and Cristina Mazzota (1-3) meet eight rounds at Sueca.
On Saturday Oct. 24, super feathers Ana Gonzalez (1-0) and Maria Dragomir (0-2) meet four rounds at Aviles.
United Kingdom
Tiana Schroeder (7-0) defeated Ana Acevedo (7-4) after eight rounds on Saturday Oct. 17. The super fly fight took place in Belfast.
On Saturday Oct. 24, bantams Laura Pain (9-1) and Antonella Molina (4-34-2) meet six rounds at Harrow.
On Saturday Oct. 24, bantams Frances Heath (3-0-1) and Sydney Chambers (0-11) in Glasgow, Scotland.
On Saturday Oct. 24, super flies Shannon Ryan (11-1) and Emma Dolan (9-1) meet 10 rounds at Sheffield.
On Sunday Oct. 25, lightweights Shauna Browne (8-1) and Jade Burden (5-0) meet 10 rounds at Harrow.
USA
Mona Ward (3-3) knocked out Shaunteya McNair (0-3) in the second round on Saturday Oct. 17. The super featherweight fight took place in Saint Louis, Mo.
Indeya Rodriguez (8-8-4) and Paige Gilbert (3-0-1) fought to a split draw after four rounds on Saturday Oct. 17. The bantamweight fight took place in Dallas, Texas.
Lisandra Contreras (4-0) defeated Erika Hernandez (3-10) by decision after six rounds on Friday Oct. 16. The super bantam fight was held in Philadelphia, Pa. Also, super feather Jaclyne McTamney (6-0) beat Jessica Bellusci (7-8) after six.
