Jonas-Mayer: "Run It Back!"

One of the most consistent subjects in the sport of Boxing over the last several years  is Women's Boxing. The single word that comes to mind that can describe the last several years, which cannot necessarily be shared by their male counterparts? “Progress.” 

Perhaps one of the main reasons for that is the old adage of “The Best Fighting The Best.” Something that has been consistent for women in the sport has been the willingness to not only pit the best fighters against each other, not only unify weight divisions in the process, but also do so in such a way where the various political elements that be in Boxing, as well as egos of the fighters and their respective promoters do not stand in the way of such “Progress,” which has only accelerated the sport’s growth for women. The latest example of this took place on January 20th where IBF Welterweight world c'mon Natasha Jonas met former unified Jr. Lightweight world champion Mikaela Mayer at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England.

A fight that not only brought together two of the top fighters in Women's Boxing, but also two rival promoters in Ben Shalom of Boxxer and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, Inc. While there are times when such collaborations do not necessarily result in the most competitive fights, Jonas-Mayer would prove to be an exception.

For ten rounds, Jonas and Mayer engaged in a battle of wills where neither fighter backed down and gave the other much ground. Often when fights like this are fought in Women’s Boxing, a contributing factor to a fight that ends up being so closely fought is the two minute round length. Only recently, have women’s bouts begun to use the standard three minute round length and world championship distance of twelve rounds that men’s bouts are fought under. This would prove to be a fight that needed three minute rounds and likely would have also benefited from two extra rounds. 

An element that surrounded this fight was that the challenger Mikaela Mayer was fighting for the first time in the 147lb. Welterweight division after previously competing in the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight division where she was a unified world champion. What stood out to this observer from the start of this bout was Mayer looked like a natural Welterweight that could potentially move up to either Jr. Middleweight or Middleweight and compete effectively. One other aspect that stood out was in this fight, rather than using angles and lateral movement that had been a focal point of her style in previous fights, Mayer applied more of a come forward, pressure approach against Jonas. 

Although the pressure of Mayer clearly made a difference in that she was the one bringing the fight, she tended to walk straight forward and not approach Jonas from angles. This created a scenario where Mayer was throwing and generally was the fighter landing first, but it was the champion Jonas landing crisp counter punches on Mayer as she came forward. From the perspective of this observer, Mayer’s pressure approach and combination punching was dictating how the fight was being fought, but her inability to avoid being countered periodically, made many of the rounds tight and competitive. Nevertheless, the consistent pattern of Mayer not only coming forward, not only landing first most of the time, but tending to do so in combinations of punches gave her an edge in many of the rounds on my scorecard.

What made this fight challenging to score was, despite the pattern being established of Mayer coming forward and forcing the fight, Jonas landed the harder punches when she did land, and those punches were clear and easy to see. One aspect that can at times be overlooked when a fighter is moving up in weight beyond how said fighter will look physically at a higher weight, is how that fighter will respond to being hit by opponents that in theory are naturally stronger and at times bigger. For her part, Mayer was able to take the best of what Jonas was able to land and keep coming forward.

At the conclusion of the ten round world championship bout, I arrived with a score of seven rounds to three or 97-93 in points, in favor of Mayer. While that score might appear lopsided, many of the rounds were close and could have really been scored either way depending on one's perspective. The pattern of the fight of not only Mayer’s aggression, but more specifically, what seemed to be effective aggression throughout, is what I based my scoring on. As is the case in most fights in Women's Boxing however, because of the short two minute round length, it made things close where a round could be decided by moments in a round or who might be able to land solidly before a round ends, to give the last impression not only on fans, but more specifically and importantly, the three official judges scoring a fight.

It was not surprising to hear a split decision announced in this fight due to the way it was fought. Although I felt Mayer did enough to win several of the rounds, it will often boil down to not only as I have said countless times when it comes to close fights, what a judge prefers in their own criteria based on clean punching, effective aggression, ring generalship, and defense, but also moments that can sway opinion one way or the other in close rounds, particularly in fights where the rounds are only two minutes in duration. Ultimately, it would be Jonas, who would get the nod on two judges scorecards to retain her IBF world championship with the deciding scorecard being only a one point difference between a winner being determined and the fight being declared a draw. 

While I felt that Mayer did enough to win and there will be no doubt accusations of potential bias from some fans due to the fact that this fight was held in Jonas’ hometown as well as fans at times allowing favoritism to influence their opinions, it was a close and competitive fight. Perhaps subtle differences are the reason for the outcome.

What does yours truly mean by “Subtle Differences?” Natasha Jonas did seem to land the harder punches of the two fighters. Even though Mayer seemed to be the one forcing the fight and outworking the champion, which could have swayed opinion in Jonas’ favor. It may have also been “Subtle Differences” in terms of what Mayer was unable to do that resulted in Jonas getting the decision. For example, in addition to not approaching Jonas at angles as she came forward, Mayer did not faint with her upper body and did not move her head as she was coming forward and looking to cut the distance between herself and the champion. This not only allowed Jonas the opportunity to land counter punches, but because Mayer was also not throwing as she was coming forward or throwing from too far a distance, it gave the champion room to maneuver in order to land those shots, despite being outworked.

How could the outcome have been different? In most of her flights, Mikaela Mayer usually does everything in terms of offense behind a consistent jab and this in addition to using angles and lateral movement tends to give her the upper hand. It should not be overlooked or dismissed that in addition to moving up in weight, this was also the first time Mayer had faced a southpaw in her career. When an orthodox boxer faces a southpaw, the jab as a weapon tends to be taken out of the equation for the conventional fighter simply due to the difference in stances and the fact that it is at times easier for a southpaw if they know what they are doing from a tactical standpoint to counter over the jab of the conventional fighter Boxing out of the orthodox stance.

There is one weapon a conventional fighter has however, that can even things if they know how to use it tactically. The right hand. Mayer did land several right hands throughout this fight, most effectively when she was able to lend combinations, but in addition to the lack of head movement, faints, and angles, she did not lead with her right hand and that may have made a difference, particularly if she were able to bait Jonas into throwing a punch where she could have dodged using faints and/or head movement and come in behind her right hand as she came forward in trying to close the distance with pressure as opposed to coming straight in without throwing something to keep Jonas on the defensive or throwing punches from too far a distance and leaving herself open to being countered, which Jonas was able to take advantage of throughout the fight.

Nevertheless, Jonas and Mayer were able to provide not only a great flight, but also the latest in a growing list of examples as to the growth of the sport for women. A great fight deserves an encore. “Run It Back!”

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

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Jonas-Mayer Weights From Liverpool, England

The official weigh-in for Saturday's IBF Women's Welterweight world championship bout between defending champion Natasha Jonas and former WBO/IBF Jr. Lightweight world champion Mikaela Mayer took place earlier today in Liverpool, England at the Echo Arena. The champion weighed in at 146lbs. for the bout, which can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+. Mayer, the current International Boxing Federation's number one Welterweight contender, who will be making her debut in the Welterweight division also weighed in at 146lbs. Jonas-Mayer will top a six bout card promoted by Ben Shalom’s Boxxer in association with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc.

Jonas vs. Mayer takes place on Saturday, January 20th at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 2PM ET/11AM PT.

(*Card and Start times Subject to Change.*)

For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com. 

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Jonas-Mayer Preview

The first major Women’s world championship bout of 2024 will take place on Saturday, January 20th as two-division world champion Natasha Jonas will make the first defense of her IBF World Welterweight championship against former Unified Jr. Lightweight world champion  Mikaela Mayer in Liverpool, England at the Echo Arena. A fight that can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+. Jonas and Mayer are not only two of the best female boxers in the entire sport, but in a wider context, this bout follows what was a significant year of progress for Women’s Boxing and the bout between the two should continue that momentum.

Natasha Jonas has won world championships in the Jr. Middleweight and Welterweight divisions and will come into this fight off of winning the IBF Welterweight world championship in her last outing in July of last year with an eighth round stoppage of Kandi Wyatt in Manchester, England. Although Jonas has now moved down in weight from the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division to the 147lb. Welterweight division, she has punching power in both hands and has scored knockouts in nine of her fourteen career wins. Whether or not she will be able to use that punching power in what will be her first defense of the IBF crown remains to be seen. Jonas’ opponent on January 20th will likely prove to be a difficult task in the form of Mikaela Mayer.

Mayer will enter this fight on a two fight winning streak and is the current IBF number one Welterweight contender. Some will recall that Mayer had three successful defenses as a Jr. Lightweight world champion which saw her win the WBO world championship and unify it with the IBF world championship before she lost her crown in a very narrow ten round split decision loss to WBC/WBO world champion Alycia Baumgardner in what was a fight for the undisputed championship in the Jr. Lightweight division. While that fight could have gone either way, much like many bouts in Women’s Boxing fought with a two minute round length, the loss to Baumgardner, the only of Mayer’s career, did not lower Mayer’s standing as one of the top fighters in the sport. After brief stops in the Lightweight and Jr. Welterweight divisions in her last two bouts, Mayer now sets her sights on trying to become a two-division world champion. 

While both fighters can do a little bit of everything, some would likely say that Jonas has an advantage both in regard to her punching power as she has four more knockouts than Mayer has in scoring five in her nineteen career wins, but also in terms of the fact that she has fought at heavier weights than the challenger has thus far in their respective careers. Both due to the fact that Women’s Boxing is still very much growing and also opportunities being sprinkled throughout weight classes, which usually offers an opportunity for fighters to move up and down the weight scale depending on what opportunities might be available including to fight for world championships, the fact that Mayer will be facing someone naturally bigger and theoretically stronger than her, does not necessarily equate to a disadvantage at least on paper. What Mayer does bring to the table is she is a highly skilled boxer with good hand speed, lateral movement, and has the ability to approach her opponents and attack at varying angles. 

An element that could prove crucial in this fight is that like most world championship bouts, this will be scheduled for ten, two minute rounds as opposed to twelve, three minute rounds, which only recently made its way into Women’s Boxing. Both Jonas and Mayer have been in close fights that many feel should have gone their respective way and part of the reason why those fights were close was perhaps attributed to the two minute round length. Unless there is a change to both the scheduled distance and round length that might occur later than this writing prior to the bout taking place, the format the fight will be fought under, and skill level of both champion and challenger could result in a very closely fought contest and it will come down to which fighter will be able to control the tempo of the combat.

What this fight also represents is that Women’s Boxing remains committed not only to continuing to grow the sport for all who compete in it, but also a commitment to the adage of “The Best Fighting The Best.” Something that if their male counterparts could also do on as frequent a basis as female fighters have done and continue to do without the politics of the sport rearing its head. Boxing overall would truly be elevated to a higher level if that were the case.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.” 

Jonas vs. Mayer takes place on Saturday, January 20th at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 2PM ET/11AM PT.

(*Card and Start times Subject to Change.*)

For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com. 

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CHISORA AND PARKER COLLIDE ON BLOCKBUSTER MAY 1 CARD

 

Press Release: March 19, 2021 By DAZN – Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker will collide in a huge Heavyweight clash on a blockbuster night of action that sees Irish star Katie Taylor defend her Undisputed Lightweight crown against former amateur rival Natasha Jonas and undefeated WBA Light-Heavyweight World Champion Dmitry Bivol put his Title on the line against Craig Richards, as well as the return of Chris Eubank Jr, live on DAZN in all markets excluding the UK, Ireland, China, New Zealand and Samoa.  

Credit: DAZN 

 

Former World Title challenger Chisora (32-10, 23 KOs) was last seen pushing Ukraine’s pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk all of the way in their 12-round battle for the WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight Title at The SSE Arena, Wembley last October, and the fan favourite is chomping at the bit for his next challenge.

 

A meeting between the pair scheduled for October 2019 fell through at three-and-a-half weeks’ notice when Parker’s team revealed he was suffering from the aftereffects of a spider bite. Chisora, who was unconvinced with Team Parker’s reasons for pulling out in 2019, has labelled Parker a ‘chicken’ in recent weeks and says he has unfinished business with the Heavyweight contender. 

 

Former WBO World Champion Parker (28-2, 21 KOs) is fresh off a hard-fought 12-round decision over long-time amateur nemesis Junior Fa at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand last month that settled an 11-year old rivalry with his compatriot, a win that he hopes will kickstart his route back to the top of the Heavyweight division. 

 

Ranked at No.3 with the WBO, New Zealand’s Parker is well known on these shores having defended his WBO Title against Hughie Fury at Manchester Arena in September 2017, before taking unified ruler Anthony Joshua the distance at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in March 2018. His last appearance in the UK came against Dillian Whyte in a dramatic points loss in July 2018.

 

“We’ve been here before, in 2019 I flew to Vegas to film the 'Face To Face' with Parker, I called Haye as soon as I left and told him, ‘This guy isn’t going to get in the ring with me’, I could see the fear in his eyes,” said Chisora. “Now, second time around I hope he fights, I’m looking forward to the fight, I cannot wait to get back in the ring! I love fighting, it is what I love the most. Good luck to Joseph Parker and his new team, we shall see you for WAR on May 1^st!”

 

“I’m excited to start this new chapter in my career with a new coach and some fresh ideas,” said Parker. “I’ve settled in and Andy and I are bonding well. Chisora and I have unfinished business and inside the ring one of us will get the job done. I am well aware that a win on British soil and on world-wide television will put me in pole position whereas a loss will be catastrophic. I am more than up for the challenge. Bring it on Del Boy.”

 

Taylor (17-0, 6 KOs) defeated Jonas (9-1-1, 7 KOs) in the quarter-final stages of the London 2012 Olympic Games on route to capturing Ireland’s first gold medal of the summer. The pair will meet again nearly ten years down the line with Taylor’s WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and Ring Magazine Lightweight World Titles on the line. 

 

Since their first meeting in the amateurs, Taylor has gone on to cement herself as the best female fighter on the planet by winning World Titles in the Lightweight and Super-Lightweight divisions and remaining undefeated in all 17 of her professional contests. ‘KT’ was last seen outclassing her WBA Mandatory Challenger Miriam Gutierrez with a masterful display in November. 

 

‘Miss GB’ came agonisingly close to winning her first World Title at the age of 36 last summer when she battled to a thrilling draw with WBC and IBO Super-Featherweight Champion Terri Harper at Matchroom Fight Camp. It was the first time that two British women had competed against each other for a Word Title, and the all-action fight more than lived up to the occasion. 

 

"Natasha proved in her last fight that she is still performing at the highest level so it's a great challenge for me and I'm really looking forward to it,” said Taylor. “It's a fight that people have been asking for and those are the type of fights you want to be part of.

 

"People still talk about our fight in the 2012 Olympics and I think that proved to be a real eye opener for people in terms of what women's boxing is all about. I'm expecting another tough fight on May 1^st and I'm looking forward to successfully defending my Titles."

 

"I'm really excited about getting the fight, I made a lot of noise about not wanting to go down in level or class after establishing myself on the world stage in my last fight,” said Jonas. “I know Katie is a different type of animal to Terri Harper, but I believe every time I'm asked to step up, I do. I said I wanted to be a champion and anybody at 130 to 140 was in my sights, I know I'm a world class boxer and I can win a World Title. 

 

"From the minute Eddie signed me this fight has been on the cards. Me and Katie had a great story from the Olympics, and we have both been pioneers in our own way. I'm glad that it's happening and it's a great fight for women's boxing and for British and Irish boxing."

 

Russia’s Bivol (17-0, 11 KOs) is regarded as one of the best technical boxers in the sport, mixing his dazzling skills with KO power. The 30-year-old was elevated to full WBA 175lbs World Champion from interim champion ahead of his 12th pro fight with Trent Broadhurst in Monte Carlo in November 2017 and celebrated with a devasting one-punch KO in the first round.  Bivol has subsequently defended his crown five times, but has been away from the ring since October 2019 when he widely outpointed Lenin Castillo at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

 

Richards (16-1-1, 9 KOs) delivered a Fight of the Year contender last time out in December against fierce rival Shakan Pitters as he stopped the Birmingham man in nine rounds to earn the British Light-Heavyweight crown. ‘Spider’ is ranked at No.8 in the WBA world rankings and has earned his shot by remaining undefeated since sole career loss against former World Title challenger Frank Buglioni in October 2017.

 

“I have been out of the ring for a year and a half and I have sorely missed boxing,” said Bivol. “I can’t wait to step through the ropes for my next fight on May 1^st. I have always wanted to fight in the UK and I’m happy to tick that box. Craig Richards is a fast and technical boxer and I’m expecting a great fight as I make another defence of my World Title.”

 

“I feel good and I feel very confident,” said Richards. “I know that he’s renowned as one of the best fighters out there, but I just believe that I’ve got the tools to beat him and I’m very confident in my abilities. I know I’ve got power as well, and I’ve got a very good chin. We’ve been planning for everything and anything.

 

"We know he’s been operating at world level for a long time and can bring different things to the table. I raise the level of my performance against my better opponents. The bigger the fight the better I perform. A fight like Bivol will allow me to go through my gears to show what I’m really about.”

 

Having previously campaigned at Super-Middleweight, Eubank Jr (29-2, 22 KOs) returned to the Middleweight division to claim the WBA Interim Middleweight World Title for the second time with a TKO win over former World Title challenger in December 2019, while making his US debut at the Barclays Centre in New York. In what will be his first fight back in the UK in over two years, the Brighton man faces Manchester’s Marcus Morrison (23-3, 16 KOs), who is enjoying a seven-fight winning streak that stretches back to June 2018.

 

“This is a good fight for me," said Eubank Jr.  "Since signing with Sauerland my camp has been firing on all cylinders, I’ve been training with Roy in Miami and focussing on improving my game. I have the absolute best people around me, I have everything I need to push on to that next level and dominate the Middleweight scene.

 

"People have a lot to say about me and my career. There's talks about why fights haven’t happened previously, but all I’ve been doing is focussing on number one, training hard and making sure I’m always ready. I’m now in the best place I can be and I’m ready to take what is mine.”

 

"I’m well aware that this is a massive opportunity and fight for me and my career," said Morrison. "I got into boxing at the age of 7, and these are the type of fights I’ve always wanted to be involved in. Chris is a very good fighter, and I know what he brings to the table. I honestly believe the best version of me is still to be seen, and I look forward to showing it on the night. I can’t afford to not leave everything in there on May 1."

 

"This is one of the strongest shows we’ve promoted and there is still even more to come," said promoter Eddie Hearn. "Chisora vs. Parker is a brilliant style match up that has been brewing for years and Taylor vs. Jonas is one of the biggest fights in women’s boxing. The Eubanks are always box office and it’s a massive chance for Marcus Morrison after his brilliant win in Italy. Craig Richards goes for World Title glory against the brilliant Russian Dmitry Bivol and there are further announcements to follow. Buckle up and enjoy this one!"

 

“WAR Chisora realises this is a massive opportunity to gate-crash the Heavyweight division,” said David Haye of Hayemaker Promotions. “He has come close, in his last battle against unified Cruiserweight World Champion and No.1 ranked Heavyweight Usyk, two of the judges’ score cards had it 7 rounds to 5 - winning just one more round would have captured a draw and Derek would have retained his WBO International Title that night. Since, he has been working, living the life of a professional. Derek doesn’t simply want to beat Joseph Parker, he wants to make a statement to the world. This is his time.”

 

“There’s definitely unfinished business between Parker and Chisora,” said David Higgins, Founder and Director of DUCO Events. “I think the fight will be a real fan pleaser. It could be the Heavyweight Fight of the Year. You’ve got Chisora who likes to stand and trade and come forward, and then you’ve got Parker who has the speed and the pedigree. This fight has got a bit of history and it has been building for a while. It’s fantastic that it’s finally happening. This is a proper 50-50 matchup where the winner could go on to a World Title shot and the loser will go to the scrapheap. Credit to both Parker and Chisora for putting it all on the line.”

 

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: DAZN Used with permission.

 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

SuperWomen: Shields-Dicaire Battle For Jr. Middleweight Supremacy

 Perhaps one segment of the sport of Boxing that has been able to take advantage of the unprecedented circumstances of the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic has been Women’s Boxing. With many of the top stars of the sport sidelined for most of 2020 due to both risks associated with the COVID-19 virus as well as for economic reasons, several of the top female fighters in the sport seized the opportunity to take the spotlight as several notable stars including undefeated Undisputed Lightweight world champion Katie Taylor, Mikaela Mayer, Teri Harper, Natasha Jonas,, Cecilia Braekhus, and Jessica McCaskill all lead the way in putting Women’s Boxing center stage. 

Credit: FITE TV

 

One fighter who has remained sidelined as the epidemic has continued is arguably the woman who has been the focal point of Women’s Boxing here in the United States over the last several years. Undefeated three-division world champion Claressa Shields. As some may recall, Shields emerged on the Boxing scene in becoming the first fighter in history Male or Female to win back to back gold medals in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Since turning professional, Shields has used that notoriety to become a three-division world champion winning world titles in the Jr. Middleweight, Middleweight, and Super-Middleweight divisions.

 

Although Shields has accomplished what many fighters struggle to accomplish in their careers in just ten professional fights including becoming an undisputed world champion in the Middleweight division in 2019, she continues to attempt to make history as she will now attempt to become an undisputed world champion in a second weight class as she will defend her unified WBC/WBO Jr. Middleweight world championship against undefeated IBF world champion Marie-Eve Dicaire on Friday, March 5^th at the Dort Financial Events Center in Flint, MI. The bout, which will headline an all-women’s Boxing card promoted by Salita Promotions and broadcast globally on digital pay-per-view on FITE TV, will also be for the vacant WBA Jr. Middleweight world championship marking the first time that the World Boxing Association (WBA) has sanctioned a world championship bout in the Women’s Jr. Middleweight division. In doing so, the addition of the WBA crown makes this bout one for the undisputed world championship in the division and could give Shields the distinction of holding two undisputed world championships in two weight classes simultaneously if she can defeat Dicaire. A feat that even male boxers have not accomplished.

 

In Marie-Eve Dicaire, Shields will face a world champion with slightly more professional experience than she has with seventeen professional bouts to her credit. Dicaire won her world championship in December 2018 with a ten round unanimous decision over Chris Namus and has successfully defended her IBF crown three times since.

 

Stylistically, this fight could favor Shields as she is normally an aggressive fighter that likes to apply pressure on her opponents. Although neither fighter is known for scoring knockouts as Dicaire has not scored a stoppage in her career and Shields has only scored two in her ten career wins, Shields may also have an edge in terms of punching power. The interesting dynamic in thinking of how this fight might be fought is Dicaire is a fighter that uses lateral movement, angles, and has shown the ability to out box opponents when she is able to keep them at distance.

 

The challenge for Dicaire in this fight will be whether or not she will be able to keep Shields at a distance where she will not be able to cut the ring off and make it difficult for the IBF champion to move. Dicaire must also show that if Shields is able to get on the inside that she will be able to keep her from being able to get her punches off as Shields often throws her punches in compact combination and being able to tie her up on the inside or keep her from being able to get on the inside is something no previous opponent has been able to accomplish thus far.

 

Both world champions have the element of hand speed in their respective arsenals and it may be a question of how each fighter uses their hand speed that may be a determining factor in who has the edge in this fight. If Marie-Eve Dicaire is able to find success in keeping Shields at distance, this could prove to be a difficult test for the likely favorite, who will be fighting in front of a hometown crowd.

 

Beyond this fight being for the Undisputed Women’s Jr. Middleweight world championship, the fight between Claressa Shields and Marie-Eve Dicaire also will have the distinction of being a main event of a pay-per-view card of all women’s bouts. Although Women’s Boxing has been part of Boxing as a whole for decades, it was only in recent years that the women of the sport began to receive long overdue exposure and recognition particularly here in the United States where women’s bouts had mainly be limited to pay-per-view undercards of major bout featuring their male counterparts and very limited television exposure for the women of Boxing beyond that.

 

While internationally Women’s Boxing has regularly headlined Boxing cards featuring men’s bouts, it wasn’t until 2017 where Boxing fans were able to see Women’s bouts headline cards that were broadcast across cable, satellite, and streaming networks including Claressa Shields and Cecilia Braekhus co-headlining the final Boxing card broadcast by HBO in 2018. Sadly, the only card headlined by two women’s bouts broadcast by HBO during its forty-five year run broadcasting the sport.

 

Now, with Women’s Boxing regularly featured on digital streaming networks like DAZN, ESPN+, and combat sports centric digital networks like FITE TV, it is only a natural step forward in the overdue progression of Women’s Boxing to see a card exclusively showcasing the women of the sport. Shields-Dicaire is a historic bout for Women’s Boxing not only for what is on the line in the first undisputed world championship in the history of the Women’s Jr. Middleweight division, not only for what Shields is attempting in trying to become the first undisputed world champion in two weight classes simultaneously, but more importantly, for what it represents for the women of the sport going forward. 

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

Promotional Poster Courtesy of: FITE TV Used with permission.

SuperWomen: Shields vs. Dicaire takes place on Friday, March 5^th at the Dort Financial Events Center in Flint, MI. The five bout card can be seen globally on digital pay-per-view on the FITE app across mobile, tablet, connected streaming devices, and Smart TVs beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT for $29.99. (U.S. Time.) Prior to the pay-per-view broadcast, a one hour pre-show will air beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT.For more information about including schedules and compatible streaming devices and Smart TVs please visit: www.FITE.TV. To order Shields vs. Dicaire download the FITE app or click the following link: https://www.fite.tv/watch/shields-vs-dicaire/2p8qn/.

 

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