Showing posts with label Women’s Boxing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Women’s Boxing. Show all posts

Friday, October 31, 2025

Mayer Adds To Future Hall of Fame Resume By Defeating Spencer For Unified Jr. Middleweight World Championship

The fight between Women's WBA Jr. Middleweight world champion Mary Spencer and two-division world champion Mikaela Mayer on October 30th in Montreal,Canada, largely centered on Mayer attempting to add the Jr. Middleweight division to her resume of having won world championships after winning world titles in the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight and 147lb. Welterweight divisions. It was also a fight void of personal animosity and was rooted in respect between the two world champions. This was simply about two champions putting their respective skills against one another.


Although as this observer stated in previewing this fight, this amounted to an away game for Mayer by traveling to Casino Montreal to face the Montreal native Spencer for her WBA world championship on her home turf, it did not appear as though that was a factor both in her approach in the lead up to the fight as well as how she approached the combat once the fighters were in the ring. A world champion moving up in weight to challenge another world champion in a different weight class in of itself is intriguing, the added wrinkle that emerged in the days prior to this encounter that the WBC and WBO, whose world titles in the Jr. Middleweight division was recently won and vacated by the newly retired future Hall of Famer Cecilia Braekhus, would also be on the line in addition to Spencer's WBA world championship, raised the stakes of the bout and the position of the winner in the division moving forward significantly.


Despite having established herself as a fighter who approaches her opposition at varying angles and throwing combinations where the opponent often has trouble finding a rhythm, Mayer's approach in this fight differed. From the outset, the challenger and current World Welterweight champion backed up the naturally bigger and theoretically stronger World Jr. Middleweight champion Spencer. What was also different from the norm for Mikaela Mayer was she appeared to be sitting on her punches more than is usually the case.


In that she seemed to be throwing and landing punches with the intention of scoring knockdowns and potentially a knockout, which is rare in Women’s Boxing due primarily to the two minute round length as compared to three minutes afforded to their male counterparts. A subject yours truly has frequently criticized and continues to advocate for female fighters to be allowed to compete in three minute rounds. Whether the change in approach can be attributed to now competing in a higher weight class or perhaps working with former Jr. Middleweight world title challenger and top contender Kofi Jantuah, who has joined her corner as a trainer, who in his fighting days, was known for deceptive punching power and an aggressive style. Much like her trainer, who is now a co-trainer along with Al Mitchell, who has been with Mayer her entire career, Mayer found an opening and frequently landed her left hook to the jaw of Spencer and at times even doubled up when she threw it.


This set up the consistent pattern of the fight. Mayer coming forward, pushing Spencer back, beating her to the punch consistently, and landing hard shots. Spencer, however, did find periodic success throughout, particularly when she was able to land her right hand, which did put Mayer's ability to take a punch from a Jr. Middleweight. A test that she was able to pass.


Despite those periodic moments for the champion, Mary Spencer was simply unable to break the pattern that Mayer had established. Unable to score knockdowns to narrow the deficit she was in on the scorecards, and ultimately lacking a knockout punch that would have obviously altered the ebb and flow significantly, she simply could not find the answer she needed on this night to retain and unify her world championship. A wide and convincing ten round unanimous decision for Mikaela Mayer was the ultimate outcome. 


Now, with a unified world champion in a third weight division, Mayer finds herself in a unique position that is not uncommon in Women’s Boxing as the sport is still growing.  Mayer still holds the WBO World Welterweight championship in addition to now being a unified world champion in the Jr. Middleweight division. This puts Mayer in a position where much like many other world champions on the Women’s side of the sport, she might determine her fight or fights based on what opportunity might be available and which fight will be more lucrative. For her part, Mayer stated after defeating Mary Spencer that she is interested in potentially going back and forth between the Welterweight and Jr. Middleweight divisions to maintain her world championships in both divisions and potentially try to become an undisputed world champion in both. 


While certainly not impossible given that world champions often move up or down in weight by fight in Women’s Boxing, the goal and possibility of pulling off what would be a significant achievement, will likely come down to whether Mayer can do it and maintain going up or down in weight physically. Much as is often the case for male fighters who are not natural Heavyweights, there often comes a point where fighters reach a ceiling where they either cannot go up any further in weight and compete effectively or down in weight without depleting themselves physically once they have moved up in their careers. Whether Mikaela Mayer will find such a ceiling in the near future is unknown, but after becoming a world champion in three separate divisions and being regarded as one of the top fighters in the sport of her era, she has already cemented a Hall of Fame resume,  now it is simply a matter of what additional achievements will serve as the icing on the cake of the career of a great fighter.


“And That's The Boxing Truth.”


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Monday, September 22, 2025

Fundora Holds Onto Undisputed Flyweight Crown, Jr. Bantamweight Or Bantamweight Next?

Women’s Boxing is still experiencing the high of the first all women's Boxing card to be held inside the historic Madison Square Garden this past July, which was headlined by the third encounter between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, two undisputed world champions in the Jr. Welterweight and Featherweight divisions respectively, who along with current Undisputed Heavyweight world champion Claressa Shields, have served as cornerstones of the sport in the most recent era of Women’s Boxing.  As great and groundbreaking as that trilogy was for the sport overall, as what will likely be the final encounter and quite possibly, the final fight in each future Hall of Famer’s respective career, inevitably the question that should be asked is what fighter or fighters might be able to move into the role of helping to advance the sport further as the next star in the sport. Enter Gabriela Fundora.


Fundora, who comes from a fighting family and is the sister of current Men's WBC Jr Middleweight world champion Sebastian Fundora, has established herself as a world champion in her own right as the current Women’s Undisputed Flyweight world champion. Fundora first became a world champion in October 2023 with a fifth round knockout of IBF champion Arely Mucino, and quickly went on to fully unify the Flyweight division, becoming Undisputed world champion one year later after two successful defenses of her IBF crown  by knocking out unified WBC/WBA/WBO world champion Gabriela Alaniz in seven rounds. 


Following a successful defense of her undisputed crown in April of this year with a seventh round stoppage of Marilyn Amaya, Fundora, 16-0, with 8 Knockouts entered the ring for her next title defense on September 20th at the Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in Indio, CA. Originally, Fundora was to defend against South American Flyweight champion Ayelen Granadino of Argentina, but she was denied entry into the United States for the bout due to undisclosed reasons.  In stepped current North American Boxing Federation Flyweight champion Alexas Kubicki from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on short notice and the fight went on as scheduled. 


A recurring theme of not only Gabriela Fundora's fights, but also those of her brother's is that both are blessed with height and reach advantages that give them an advantage for the weight classes they are in over most of their opposition. In this case, Fundora used her 5’9 frame to keep Kubicki, who entered the bout with a record of 13-1, with 2 Knockouts, on the outside where Kubicki simply could not avoid Fundora’s frequent straight left, right hook combinations from the southpaw stance. Whenever Kubicki was able to close the distance and get on the inside of Fundora's reach, she was ineffective as the champion was able to tie her up in a clinch before she could get any significant offense off.


Despite being very “Game” and stepping into a world championship bout on short notice, Kubicki simply had no answers or head movement to be able to avoid Fundora's offense as the combat became increasingly one-sided as the bout went on. Seeing the effects of the punishment she was sustaining over most of the fight, Referee Ray Corona mercifully stopped the bout at :43 of the seventh round. Although Kubicki was not knocked down, the stoppage was appropriate. No one can take anything away from Alexas Kubicki and the heart she showed in this fight. All too often, however, fighters tend to be too brave for their own good and if a fighter's corner is not proactive in not only seeing the signs that their charge is out gunned, but also recognizing that they are taking too much punishment with no answer to turn things around, it is the referee's responsibility to protect the fighter from themselves.


With her latest title defense behind her, the obvious question is what's next for Gabriela Fundora? Outside of a possible fight against Ayelen Granadino, who was supposed to challenge her in this fight, assuming Granadino can either resolve her visa issues to gain entry into the United States or potentially have the bout staged at another location outside of the U.S., this observer believes the now 17-0, with 9 Knockouts Fundora should consider moving up to either the 115lb. Jr. Bantamweight or 118lb. Bantamweight divisions to seek to unify a second division as many female fighters past and present have done in moving up and down in weight based largely on what opportunities might be available both in terms of financially as well as for world championships.  Fundora is only twenty-three years of age and it did not take her long to essentially clean out the 112lb. Flyweight division. Based on her natural advantages physically as well as her skillset, it is hard to envision her being challenged at this point in the Flyweight division, but her status as not only an undisputed world champion, but also one of the sport’s rising stars will likely open opportunities for her as she moves up in weight. 


As has been the case with many great fighters both male and female, this may only be chapter one of what has all the potential of a great career. It may not be long where like Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor before her, Gabriela Fundora, is viewed as a cornerstone of Women’s Boxing. 


“And That's The Boxing Truth.”


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Wednesday, September 3, 2025

MVP’S QUEBEC STANDOUT TAMMARA THIBEAULT SET TO FACE ITALIAN RISING STAR CRISTINA MAZZOTTA

Press Release: September 3, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions- MONTREAL, CANADA – September 2, 2025 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced that MVP’s 2x Canadian Olympian and #1 IBF and WBA middleweight Tammara Thibeault (3-0, 2 KOs) will face Italy’s rising star Cristina Mazzotta (1-0) in the co-main event of Most Valuable Prospects 15 Championship Edition, live from Théâtre St-Denis in Montreal, Quebec, on Saturday, September 27. Thibeault vs. Mazzotta will be a 6 round Middleweight bout contested at 160lbs with 2 minute rounds. The event will stream globally for free on DAZN.com and the DAZN app for DAZN subscribers. Tickets for Most Valuable Prospects 15 Championship Edition are on sale now HERE.


MVP’s standout Tammara Thibeault is currently the #1-ranked WBA, #1 IBF, #4 WBO, and #8 WBC middleweight contender. Originally from Shawinigan, Quebec, Canada, Thibeault began her boxing journey at the age of nine, inspired by seeing her father, a former CFL player, knock out an opponent during a Provincial boxing tournament. Following in his footsteps, she took up boxing at age 12 and was inspired to compete for Canada while watching the first women’s Olympic boxing competition during the 2012 London Olympics. The 28-year-old middleweight, a southpaw standing 6 feet tall, forged an outstanding amateur career. A two-time Olympian, Thibeault made her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, where she advanced to the quarterfinals of the women’s 75kg (165lb) event, matching Canada’s best-ever Olympic result in any women’s boxing event. She went undefeated until she returned to the Paris Olympics in 2024, earning gold medals at the 2022 Amateur World Championship, the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and the 2023 Pan Am Games. Thibeault, who speaks French, English, and Spanish, recently completed a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Concordia University in 2023, which she earned over seven years while competing. She currently lives in Sheffield, England, where she is earning a one-year Master’s degree in urban design and urban planning while training at the renowned Steel City Gym. Thibeault made her pro debut while competing under men’s rules, three-minute rounds, on the main card of MVP’s Most Valuable Prospects 10 in December 2024, then returned to the ring in March 2025 as part of MVP’s first ever event in Canada, Most Valuable Prospects 11, where she again competed under men’s rules with three-minute rounds and won by knockout in the final second of the first round, proving again the impact of women competing with equal rules to men. Thibeault entered her third pro fight continuing to compete under equal rules over 8, three-minute rounds on the preliminary card of MVP's historic Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3 all-women's card against then-#1 contender Mary Casamassa, winning by TKO to become the #1 contender with both the IBF and WBA following the bout—one of the fastest-rising world title contenders in history.


“Cristina Mazzotta is incredibly talented, and I’m looking forward to a competitive fight that will push me to perform at my very best,” said Tammara Thibeault.“This co-main event is a chance to represent Quebec with pride and take another step toward a world title. The support from my hometown is incredibly meaningful, and I want to deliver a performance that the fans will never forget on Saturday, September 27.”


Cristina Mazzotta, from Mesagne, Italy, represents the storied Pugilistica Rodio Brindisi gym, a boxing institution since 1938. She burst onto the pro scene in July 2025, defeating seasoned Czech boxer Ester Konecna in a thrilling six-round debut that captivated over 2,000 fans in Mesagne’s Villa Comunale. Her amateur career is equally decorated, with a silver medal at the 2018 Italian National Championships in Pescara and a collection of national medals, establishing her as one of Italy’s brightest boxing prospects.


"I’ve been training long and hard to display my skills on a big platform,” said Cristina Mazzotta. “MVP is doing big things in women's boxing and I’m happy to get this opportunity on their event. My opponent is very good but I am confident in what i bring to the table."


“Tamm Thibeault is a phenomenal athlete whose meteoric rise and world-class talent set the standard for the next generation of boxing,” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of MVP. “Her co-main event against Cristina Mazzotta is an important step in her rapid rise, pitting one of Quebec’s finest athletes against one of Italy’s most promising talents. On Saturday, September 27, Montreal’s Théâtre St-Denis will provide the perfect stage for Tamm to perform for her hometown fans, delivering a memorable night demonstrating MVP’s commitment to developing top talent on a global scale, live on DAZN.”


Most Valuable Prospects 15 will also feature an IBF world title headliner as undefeated champion Sol Cudos (10-0-2, 3 KOs) defends her strawweight belt against MVP’s Kim Clavel (21-2, 3 KOs). The stacked card also includes Montreal’s undefeated Mazlum Akdeniz (21-0, 8 KOs), MVP’s global star Javon “Wanna” Walton (2-0-1, 1 KO), Ontario standout Amanda Galle (11-0-1, 1 KO), Costa Rica’s rising contender Naomy Valle (14-0, 9 KOs), and local prospects Omar Alieh (2-0, 2 KOs) and Loick Lahaie (2-0). Montreal native and renowned combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani is set to join the broadcast team as ringside reporter on fight night, marking Helwani’s first time part of an official team calling an event in Montreal. 


Most Valuable Prospects 15 is promoted by GYM and distributed globally by DAZN. The 15th event in the series will continue the commitment from MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian to highlight the world’s best up-and-coming boxing talent. CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, maker of lifestyle energy drink, is the exclusive energy drink sponsor of MVP and the Most Valuable Prospects series. Fansly, TORKLAW, and Event Tickets Center have also joined on to sponsor the Most Valuable Prospects series.


For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @DAZNBoxing or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @DAZNBoxing.


About MVP


MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize returns for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP has produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.




About DAZN


DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.


For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com.


Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.


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

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Former World Champion Kim Clavel Signs With Most Valuable Promotions

Press Release: August 26, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions- Former WBC light flyweight world champion and Montreal, Quebec standout Kim Clavel set to make her MVP debut in Fall 2025



MONTREAL, CANADA – August 26, 2025 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced the signing of former WBC light flyweight world champion at 108lbs and one of Canada’s most decorated female boxers, Kim Clavel (21-2, 3 KOs). The Montreal resident, celebrated for her accomplishments both inside and outside the ring, will make her highly anticipated MVP debut this fall. Clavel joins MVP’s growing roster of Canadian talent, including top-ranked lightweight “Prince” Lucas Bahdi known for the most-awarded knockout of 2024, and Tamm Thibeault a two-time Canadian Olympian, amateur world champion, and the current #1 IBF and WBA middleweight contender.



Small in stature but giant in her achievements, Kim Clavel has established herself as one of the leading figures in women’s boxing in Canada and around the world. Born in Joliette, a city on the outskirts of Montreal, Quebec (Canada), she has inspired a wide audience through her courage and talent. Crowned WBC light flyweight world champion in 2022, she is recognized for her fighting spirit, resilience, and charisma that resonate far beyond the ring. Before shining as a professional, Clavel enjoyed an outstanding amateur career, climbing to fifth place in the world rankings across 85 amateur bouts and capturing a gold medal at the 2017 Continental Games. Turning to the professional ranks in 2017, she added the WBC Silver and NABF titles to her record while earning prestigious accolades such as WBC Prospect of the Year, ESPY Award, and Time Magazine New Generation Leader. Under the guidance of Groupe Yvon Michel, Kim reached a defining milestone in 2022 by capturing the WBC world title against Yesenia Gomez, a victory witnessed by hundreds of thousands of fans.



Beyond the ring, Kim Clavel is a trained nurse who distinguished herself during the pandemic by returning to the front lines in a long-term care facility—an act of courage and humanity that earned her the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2020 ESPY Awards. Her warm and genuine personality also led her to participate in Big Brother Célébrités – Québec, where she won over viewers and broadened her popularity with an even wider audience. With the support of her coach Danielle Bouchard and now joining the Most Valuable Promotions roster, Kim Clavel enters the next phase of her career with a clear mission: to reclaim a world title and achieve her dream of unifying the division. 


“A new chapter begins with MVP: pride, motivation, and the honor of joining a team that’s redefining women’s boxing,” said Kim Clavel. “I am grateful to Jake Paul, Nakisa Bidarian, and the whole organization for their trust. I also want to thank the GYM team for helping me get to this point. We have come a long way but we still have far to go!”


“Kim Clavel is the definition of a champion, not just in the ring, but in life,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of MVP. “From stepping away from boxing at the height of her career to return to nursing during the pandemic, to earning the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPY awards, Kim has shown the kind of courage, selflessness, and commitment that inspires millions. She’s also a world-class athlete, a former world champion whose talent and work ethic have made her a fan favorite in Canada. At MVP, we’re honored to welcome Kim to the family and to help her write the next chapter of her career. Attache ta tuque—because the next chapter is going to be big and we will start it with an event in Quebec soon.”



For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @KKlavel or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @KimKlavel.




About MVP


MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize returns for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP has produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.



Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.


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

Saturday, October 30, 2021

Cameron Defeats McGee To Unify Women’s WBC/IBF Jr. Welterweight World Championship In London

 

Undefeated Women’s WBC Jr. Welterweight world champion Chantelle Cameron scored a hard fought ten round decision over IBF Jr. Welterweight world champion Mary McGee to successfully unify the two crowns on Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London, England. In what was a very entertaining bout from start to finish, Cameron used her greater hand speed, timing, and counter punching to dictate how the fight was fought. 

 

There were several furious exchanges of offense throughout as the two world champions had no issue trading blows in close where either fighter could have landed a fight ending blow.  It was during these exchanges however, where Cameron was generally the fighter coming forward and pressing McGee against the ropes. A highlight came in round three where an exchange of offense at the end of the round resulted in Cameron shoving McGee down. Although this was a clear foul, there was no point deduction against her. The two fighters continued to engage in a battle right until the final bell. Official scores were: 100-90, 99-91, and 99-92 all in favor of Cameron. Chantelle Cameron advances to 15-0, with 8 Knockouts. Mary McGee falls to 27-4, with 15 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

Undefeated Heavyweight “Knockout Artist” Alen Babic scored a second round stoppage in destroying former Heavyweight world title challenger Eric Molina. Babic dropped Molina in the opening seconds of the fight with a short right hand to the head. Although Molina was seemingly in trouble from the outset, for a time he was able to hold his own in exchanging wide hooks with the free swinging Babic for the remainder of the first round. In round two, Babic scored his second knockdown  of Molina with a right hand that Molina contended hit him behind the head. This would be followed by a third knockdown with a short left hand that sent Molina down. The final knockdown came with a right hand that even though Molina was able to beat the count for the fourth time, the fight was stopped as Molina seemingly resigned to the fact that it was not his night. Official time of the stoppage was 1:30 of round two. Alen Babic advances to 9-0, with 9 Knockouts. Eric Molina falls to 28-8, with 20 Knockouts.

 

Also in the Heavyweight division, unbeaten Johnny Fisher scored a second round stoppage of veteran Alvaro Terrero. Fisher dropped Terrero with a left hook in the second round and followed that up with two more knockdowns to get the stoppage. Official time of the stoppage was 2:06 of round two. Johnny Fisher advances to 4-0, with 4 Knockouts. Alvaro Terrero falls to 5-14-2, with 3 Knockouts.

 

Former Light-Heavyweight world title challenger Craig Richards scored a sixth round stoppage of Marek Matyja. Richards seemed to control this fight with his jab and by being able to keep Matyia at distance. Matyia was able to have sporadic success with his offense, but in round six, Richards unleashed a brutal left uppercut to the head that badly stunned Matyia. Matyia tried to hold on, but Richards was able to get enough distance between himself and his opponent and set off a barrage of unanswered punches that forced the stoppage of the fight. Official time of the stoppage was 2:34 of round six. Craig Richards advances to 17-2-1, with 10 Knockouts. Marek Matyja falls to 20-3-2, with 9 Knockouts.

 

Jr. Lightweight Jorge Castaneda scored a hard fought ten round majority decision over previously undefeated Youssef Khoumari. A very tactical fight that was fought at a high pace from the outset, both fighters traded the ebb and flow of momentum throughout and both had moments where they were able to stun the other in some fierce exchanges of hooks to the head throughout. What was a very close fight in the eyes of any objective observer was ultimately decided by Castaneda’s consistent jabbing, changing levels between the body and head, as well as seeming to get the better of the action in the later rounds. Official scores were 95-95 (Even), and 97-94, 96-94 in favor of Castaneda. Jorge Castaneda advances to 15-1, with 11 Knockouts. Youssef Khoumari falls to 13-1-1, with 5 Knockouts. With the win, Castaneda earned a ranking in the World Boxing Council (WBC) Jr. Lightweight ratings.

 

Women’s Jr. Featherweight Ellie Scotney moved to 3-0 in her career by scoring an eight round decision over Eva Cantos. Scotney dictated the pace of the combat from the opening bell and landed the hard, cleaner, and more consistent punches throughout. As all non-title bouts held in the United Kingdom that do not impact regional or world rankings are scored solely by the referee officiating a bout, Referee John Latham scored the bout, Referee John Latham scored the bout 79-73 in Scotney’s favor. Ellie Scotney advances to 3-0 with 0 Knockouts. Eva Cantos falls to 2-2, with 0 Knockouts.

 

Undefeated Cruiserweight Jordan Thompson scored a first round knockout of Piotr Podlucki. A flush right hand behind a jab to the jaw of Podlucki sent him down and unable to beat the ten count. Official time of the stoppage was 2:52 of round one. Jordan Thompson advances to 11-0, with 9 Knockouts. Piotr Podlucki falls to 6-6, with 2 Knockouts.

 

Light-Heavyweight John Hedges improved to 4-0 in his career by pounding out a lopsided six round unanimous decision over late substitute Ben Thomas. Referee John Latham scored the bout 60-54 in Hedges’ favor. John Hedges advances to 4-0, with 0 Knockouts. Ben Thomas falls to 2-8-3, with 1 Knockout.

 

Heavyweight Thomas Carty moved to 2-0 in his career to start the evening by scoring a third round knockout over Igors Vasiljevs. The first two rounds saw a lot of wrestling on the inside between the two fighters. Carty changed things dramatically in round three when he connected with a straight left hand that badly staggered Vasiljevs. Vasiljevs tried everything he could to hold on, but ultimately Carty beat him down with a series of left hands that sent Vasiljevs down along the ropes. He did not get up and took the ten count. Official time was 2:49 of round three. Thomas Carty advances to 2-0, with 1 Knockout. Igors Vasiljevs falls to 4-2, with 3 Knockouts.

 

We will have further coverage of this card including what is next for Chantelle Cameron and Mary McGee as part of a feature column looking at the final weekend in Boxing of October 2021 that will be released here on the website next week. Stay tuned.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

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

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

Friday, September 3, 2021

THE ROAD TO UNDISPUTED: WOMEN'S 140LBS CROWN UP FOR GRABS IN FOUR WAY SHOWDOWN

 

Press Release: September 3, 2021 By DAZN – Chantelle Cameron will fight Mary McGee for the IBF, WBC and Ring Magazine World Titles

Kali Reis will fight Jessica Camara for the WBA, WBO and IBO World Titles

 

Matchroom Boxing, in partnership with DiBella Entertainment, announce today that the Undisputed Super-Lightweight crown will be put on the line as Chantelle CameronMary McGeeKali Reis and Jessica Camara fight it out for 140lbs supremacy, live on DAZN around the world. 

Credit: DAZN

 

Cameron (14-0, 8 KOs) displayed an impressive performance last time out in her maiden WBC World Title defence, beating former champion Melissa Hernández by TKO in the fifth round to retain the green and gold strap and continue her flawless record since turning professional in 2017.

 

Mary ‘Merciless’ McGree (27-3, 15 KOs) comes into the fight with increased momentum, notching seven straight wins since her World Title loss in 2013 and picking up the IBF Super-Lightweight Title on the way. The American’s last win came via a ninth round TKO against Deanha Hobbs to retain her crown. 

 

American two-weight World Champion Kali Reis (18-7-1, 5 KOs) retained her WBA World Title and won the vacant IBO Super-Lightweight belt in August 2021 in a convincing unanimous decision against Australian challenger Diana Prazak at Sycuan Casino, California. 

 

‘The Cobra’ Jessica Camara (8-2) beat former World Champion Heather Hardy impressively last time out, scoring a unanimous decision to hand the Hardy her second career loss and dramatically boost the Canadian’s ranking in the 140lbs division.

 

"I'm delighted to have this opportunity to show that I’m the number one fighter in the world at 140lbs,” said Cameron. “All I've wanted since I started in boxing is to become Undisputed, and now I have a fantastic chance to achieve that.

 

"These tough fights against the other champions are what motivates me and pushes me in the gym, and you're going to see the very best Chantelle Cameron.

 

"They are all great champions, and first things first I have Mary McGee to take care of, and then once I come through that I'll be ready to make history against the winner of Kali Reiss and Jessica Camara." "This is an exciting time for women's boxing," said Camara. "I'm honoured to be a part of an event of this magnitude that will help to bring a lot of exposure to the ladies. Kali, Mary and Chantelle are all great fighters, and I know these fights will bring out the best in me. Thank you to Lou DiBella and Eddie Hearn for coming together to make this possible and for providing a platform for me to show the world what I am capable of."

 

“If we can work together to find one champion for every division then it would be a massive moment for the sport and we have a great opportunity to do that in the 140lbs division,” said Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman. “Women’s boxing is red hot at the moment and huge credit to these 4 champions for putting it on the line in the road to Undisputed on DAZN. Lou and I have been heavily committed to women’s boxing for a number of years now and it’s great to see them finally getting the plaudits and the rewards they deserve.”

 

“What a way to crown the true 140lbs champion. We're thrilled to feature on DAZN these two hugely competitive match-ups with four fearless fighters ready to leave it all in the ring for the undisputed title,” said Joseph Markowski, EVP of DAZN. "We're committed to growing women’s sport around the world and this elite four-way showdown will undoubtedly showcase to fans worldwide that women's boxing is sensational as ever."

 

"Both DiBella Entertainment and Matchroom have been leaders in advancing women's boxing and elevating the great female fighters in our sport," said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment. "I'm happy that Eddie and I were able to arrange these historic fights and I'm grateful to my friends at DAZN, who will be streaming it. Chantelle, Mary, Kali and Jessica are four elite 140-pound athletes, deserving of this incredible opportunity. After two terrific semi-finals, a queen will be crowned at Super-Lightweight."

 

Dates and venues for Cameron vs. McGee and Reis vs. Camara will be announced in due course.

 

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.

Thursday, July 29, 2021

Initial Impressions Of Boxing At The 2020 Olympics

 

The time has come once more where the world focuses much of its attention over a span of two weeks for the Summer Olympic Games. Obviously, this time, the 2020 games is actually taking place in 2021 after a year’s delay due to the ongoing global COVID-19. As most know, even with a year delay from when the games were originally scheduled in the summer of last year, these Olympics have taken place under significant controversy due to the ongoing circumstances of the global COVID-19 crisis around the world, but more specifically in the games’ host country Japan.

 

While this observer will not give the reader a long thorough rehash of everything that has gone on, those who know me and those who follow yours truly across social media platforms including Twitter know that I have heavily criticized the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its decision to go on with the rescheduled games, despite mounting evidence that it was not in the best interest of the country of Japan nor in the interest of the athletes from around the world to hold the Olympics under the circumstances of a worsening epidemic. Despite this criticism of which I stand by, with the Olympics in full swing, the time has come for this observer to provide his take on the Olympic Boxing tournament that is currently ongoing in Tokyo.

 

While with the exception of the 2012 games that were held in London, England, I have covered every Olympic Boxing  tournament in some form since the 2000 Olympic Games that were held in Sydney, Australia, due to the amount of bouts that typically take place over the course of an Olympic tournament, I offer the reader some of my impressions over the course of the tournament in summary-form often broken into two feature columns that are released both during competition as well as shortly after the games have concluded. With well over one hundred bouts having taken place as of this writing, it is now time for me to share some of my thoughts on what I’ve seen thus far.

 

Ironically, with these Olympics taking place with no spectators beyond essential personnel and the respective Olympic teams in attendance at the various events including, but certainly not limited to the Boxing tournament, I did not feel a sense that the atmosphere would feel unusual. This is perhaps due to the fact that for well over a year now, numerous sporting events around the world have taken place in settings closed to the general public depending on the circumstances of COVID-19 in the given region where events are held. While there is certainly no disputing that there is an element of excitement that comes from the addition of crowds attending events, I found myself feeling as though this would likely not be an adjustment for the athletes competing as more than likely, they were given time to prepare for an atmosphere without spectators.

 

Nevertheless, the first Olympics in modern history to have taken place with no crowds in attendance does make the 2020 Tokyo Olympics unique even if it is for reasons that will be criticized for years to come. As for the Boxing tournament, the tournament taking place at Tokyo’s Kokugikan Arena has seen highly competitive bouts across both the Men’s and Women’s competitions. While many of the bouts have followed a pattern of very close bouts both in terms of the action inside the ring as well as how the bouts are scored, there has not been an element of “Controversy” thus far.

 

This is perhaps due to the move by the IOC during the 2016 games to remove the Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) from both overseeing and hosting the tournament after yet another tournament that was seen as controversial in some aspects, due to the way AIBA had handled matters. The IOC instead implanted the concept of what it called it’s Boxing Task Force, Over the first week of competition, while several of the bouts have been close and frankly could have been scored either way depending on one’s perspective, there has not been the sense of questionable scoring or the feeling of either incompetent scoring or outright corruption that has followed many Olympic tournaments due both to all five official judges scorecards being counted as well as the scores being presented in an open scoring format in an effort to both be transparent as well as hopefully eliminate any potential controversy as far as scoring is concerned. Although it is difficult for any sport to be regulated perfectly, so far, I feel that this has been a significant step in the right direction for Amateur Boxing at least as far as the Olympics are concerned and this should be something that if it is able to remain as it has been during the first week of competition for the remainder of the tournament, should be followed by other Amateur Boxing associations around the world including AIBA in the future.

 

It should also not be overlooked as the IOC Boxing Task Force in its commitment to  transparency, this is the first Olympic Boxing Tournament to feature as many as fifteen female officials between referees and judges, up from six in the previous Olympics as well as it being the first Olympics to see five weight classes represented in Women’s Boxing up from three weight divisions in the previous 2016 games.

 

As such, Women’s Boxing has taken a significant part of the spotlight of this Olympic tournament and in addition to adding more weight classes for female fighters, the women competing in Tokyo have also seen the addition of one element that many people involved in Boxing, including those of us who cover the sport like yours truly have been screaming to see added to Women’s professional Boxing for years. Three minute rounds.

 

For whatever reason, it has been a struggle for the women of the sport to be able to compete under the same round duration as their male counterparts. While this is something that is not seen in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) where women are able to compete in bouts scheduled for rounds of five minutes in duration either scheduled for three rounds for non-title bouts or five rounds for championship bouts, the same duration of minutes per round and scheduled rounds as male MMA fighters in most MMA promotions, the women of Boxing have been fighting in two minute rounds for decades.

 

Although the idea of two minute rounds on the surface usually ensures a fast-paced fight, there is not, nor has there ever been evidence that female fighters could not fight at the same length of rounds as men, in my view. Furthermore, like many involved in the sport, I feel removing the third minute of a round for women boxers not only removes an element of strategy that a fighter can implement in terms of tactics, but also has resulted in many bouts being scored draws due to the shorter duration of rounds. Even though one should not generalize the idea that more fights would end by way of knockout/referee’s stoppage if the women of the sport had the benefit of an extra minute per round, I feel at minimum, we would see more conclusive results in terms of scoring if not more fighters being able to end fights within the distance on a more consistent basis.

 

 

With the addition of two more weight classes in this Tokyo Olympics, the 126lb. Featherweight and 147lb. Welterweight divisions, joining the 112lb. Flyweight division, the 135lb. Lightweight division, and the 160lb. Middleweight divisions that previously saw competition at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as well as Female fighters being able to box in three minute rounds, hopefully, this Olympics will be known as a major step forward towards equality in Boxing that ultimately the professional sport will adapt to for the women that compete in it.

 

While there is certainly more to come in the 2020 Olympic Boxing tournament that will be covered by yours truly in due time, my initial impression of this tournament though there is more to come and more to discuss regarding the fights and the fighters competing, is the IOC is on the right track and if they are able to see everything through to the finish line of this Olympics, Boxing should be elevated going forward. It would be a win both for the sport of Boxing as well as the Olympics.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

Part 2 of Olympic coverage here on The Boxing Truth®️ will be released here on the website in the week following the conclusion of the 2020 Summer Olympics. An announcement on when it will be released will be announced on the website in the next week. Stay tuned.

 

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

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, May 14, 2021

Camara Upsets Hardy In Murfreesboro, TN

 

Lightweight Jessica Camara scored the biggest win of her career by scoring an upset eight round unanimous decision over former WBO Featherweight world champion Heather Hardy on Friday night at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, TN. In what was the main event of a three bout all Women’s Boxing card, Hardy, who was coming off of an eighteen month layoff and fighting for the first time in the 135lb. Lightweight division, scored a flash knockdown of Camara in the first round in an exchange of hooks. Despite having an advantage because of scoring a knockdown, Hardy found it difficult to let her hands go consistently. This allowed Camara to gradually build momentum and by the midway point of the fight, the ebb and flow was in her favor. Camara’s effective aggression, timing, and combination punching became the story of the fight and was the ultimate determining factor in Camara scoring the unanimous decision victory. Official scores were: 79-73, 78-73, and 77-74 in favor of Camara. Jessica Camara advances to 8-2, with 0 Knockouts. Heather Hardy falls to 22-2, with 4 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

A battle between Welterweights who were making their respective professional debuts saw Kelsey Wickstrum score a hard-fought six round majority decision over Stevie Jane Coleman. In what was a fight fought in close from the outset that saw several shifts in momentum, it was Wickstrum, who was able to get the upper hand by a narrow margin with some good body shots and hooks throughout. Official scores were: 57-57 (Even), and 58-56 (On two scorecards) in favor of Wickstrum. Kelsey Wickstrum advances to 1-0, with 0 Knockouts. Stevie Jane Coleman falls to 0-1, with 0 Knockouts.

 

In the opening bout of the evening, Lightweight Melissa St Vil scored an eight round unanimous decision over former WBC Jr, Lightweight world champion Olivia Gerula. With both fighters coming off lengthy layoffs, St Vil used lateral movement and consistent combination punching to get the better of Gerula, who was competing in her first bout in over three years. The primary difference in this fight was the hand speed of St Vil, who seemed one step ahead of Gerula, who simply could not get on the inside and could not get her punches off first in exchanges. Official scores were: 80-72, and 78-74 (On two scorecards) in favor of Melissa St Vil. Melissa St Vil advances to 14-4-4, with 1 Knockout. Olivia Gerula falls to 18-19-2, with 3 Knockouts.

 

Although the story of this card was the fact that it was the second all women’s Boxing event to take place and be televised by a global platform in a span of two months following the Claressa Shields-Marie-Eve Dicarie Jr. Middleweight unification bout earlier this year that was streamed via digital pay-per-view on FITE TV, this card, which was promoted by Hall of Fame promoter Lou DiBella and broadcast globally via UFC Fight Pass, had what some might call an unexpected result in Jessica Camara scoring an upset victory over former world champion Heather Hardy.

 

Hardy, who lost her world championship in a unification bout against Amanda Serrano in September 2019, like many fighters throughout the entire sport has been impacted severely by the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic, which was largely responsible for her lengthy inactivity going into this fight with Jessica Camara. Whether or not that inactivity was something that worked against her as this fight progressed is something that will probably be debated amongst Boxing fans. The idea of a rematch between the two is something that should be considered provided that the circumstances of the ongoing epidemic allow it and whether both fighters want a second encounter.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

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

 

Follow Beau Denison On Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

 

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

SuperWomen: A Win For Boxing

 

The bout between undefeated world champions Claressa Shields and Marie-Eve Dicaire to determine the Undisputed Women’s Jr. Middleweight world championship was more than merely a unification bout to determine an undisputed champion between two great fighters. This fight was a symbol of progress for the women of Boxing as a whole. After all, there are some who will say that the first time they were exposed to Women’s Boxing on television was during the early-mid 1990’s when Christy Martin made a name for herself competing on undercards of major Boxing events, many of which were broadcast on pay-per-view. Although Martin’s legacy as a trailblazer for women in the sport is more than secure after compiling a Hall of Fame career, the sport as a whole continued to struggle for consistent exposure on television particularly here in the United States. 

Credit: FITE 

 

When the decision was made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to sanction Women’s Boxing for the first time in the 2012 Summer Olympics, it opened a new opportunity for Women in the sport. As many know, Claressa Shields not only seized the opportunity, but arguably took the spotlight in both the 2012 and 2016 games by becoming the only Olympic boxer in the history of the United States to win consecutive gold medals. She then was able to benefit from the increased exposure upon turning professional in 2016. Along with the exposure Shields was able to receive came increased exposure for the entire sport of Women’s Boxing.

 

Over her professional career, Shields has built a resume of her own in becoming a three-division world champion in only ten pro bouts and completely unifying the 160lb. Middleweight division in the process. When Shields faced Marie-Eve Dicaire, she was chasing further Boxing history in attempting to become the first fighter male or female in the history of the sport to fully unify two weight classes. While this in itself was historic, it would come on a night where Women’s Boxing took center stage, as the main event of a pay-per-view card of all women’s bouts. 

 

What took place when Shields and Dicaire squared off in the ring at the Dort Financial Center in Shields’ hometown in Flint, MI on March 5th was essentially what one would expect to see from a great fighter in a high stakes situation. For ten rounds, Shields put on a full demonstration of her Boxing skills. Whether it was her defense, combination punching, or just her overall skillset, this fight as much as any of her previous bouts as a professional or an amateur showed not only why many consider Shields the top Women’s fighter in the world, but also that her skills continue to evolve.

 

In previewing this fight, I stated that stylistically things seemed to favor Shields because of her tendency to be aggressive and apply pressure on her opponents. While this indeed was a key component of her strategy in this fight, what was impressive was how she essentially switched her approach throughout. Switched her approach not because her initial approach of aggression and pressure was unsuccessful, but as an added element that kept Dicaire from being able to find a rhythm. In simple terms, Shields did not do too much of only one aspect, but mixed every aspect together in near perfect execution. When she felt like forcing the fight on Dicaire, she did, when she wanted to primarily use defense and her counter punching to dictate the combat, she did. This strategy was effective to such a degree that Dicaire, a fighter who is most effective when she is able to use angles, lateral movement, and distance to execute her offense, was unable to settle down and let her hands go with consistency. Whether it was nerves in fighting for an undisputed championship for the first time in her career, a healthy respect for Shields’ skillset, Dicaire was not able to implement a similar approach as she has done previously in her career and this ultimately resulted in Shields winning every round on all three judges scorecards, winning a ten round unanimous decision to secure her second undisputed world championship in a second weight class after previously unifying the Middleweight division in her career.

 

Although much of the focus of this card and subsequently of this post-column centers on Claressa Shields and will conclude on the subject of where she goes after completely unifying two weight classes, the all-women’s event SuperWomen also featured three other bouts in the Bantamweight and Heavyweight divisions that also need discussion. The first of these bouts featured Bantamweight contender Marlen Esparza, who scored a six round unanimous decision over Shelly Barnett.

 

Esparza, who is a former world title challenger having suffered her lone career defeat in that challenge to undefeated WBA Flyweight champion Seneisa Estrada in November 2019, has worked her way back into world title contention as she is currently the WBC’s top contender in the Flyweight division. Esparza however, has shown she is a contender in both the 112lb. Flyweight division and the 118lb. Bantamweight division as she outworked veteran Shelly Barnett over the six round distance to win a unanimous decision. While it is not uncommon in Women’s Boxing to see fighters move between weight classes on a per fight basis depending on what opportunities may be available to them, Esparza is the current mandatory challenger for current WBC world champion Ibeth Silva and it is logical barring things like potential injuries or anything related to the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic, that Esparza will likely look to challenge Silva in the near future if a potential world championship opportunity in the Bantamweight division is not an option at the present time.

 

The second Bantamweight bout that took place on the SuperWomen event featured undefeated rising contender Jamie Mitchell facing veteran Noemi Bosques. This fight was controlled by Mitchell, who’s harder punches and ring generalship gradually wore a “Game”, but ultimately over matched Bosques before the bout was stopped in the fifth round giving Mitchell her sixth career victory in eight professional bouts.

 

In Mitchell’s eight career bouts, she has fought to two draws. One of those draws came against perhaps her best known opponent thus far Britain Hart in August 2019. Hart as many know recently scored a five round unanimous decision over MMA star Paige VanZant, in a fight fought under Bareknuckle Boxing rules in the Bareknuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). Much like more opportunities are opening up for women in traditional Boxing, the idea of the women who competed on this card potentially competing in Bareknuckle Boxing should not be dismissed as Bareknuckle Boxing has re-emerged in the last decade in various forms and is seeing continuing growth around the world. Perhaps a potential bout for Mitchell off of her victory over Bosques could be a rematch with Hart fought under either traditional or Bareknuckle rules.

 

As Women’s Boxing has increased in exposure, among the the weight classes that have been able to take advantage of the exposure has been the Heavyweight division. The final preliminary bout that took place prior to Claressa Shields’ bout with Marie-Eve Dicaire was a Heavyweight rematch between undefeated Danielle Perkins and Monika Harrison. A rematch from last August that was fought in the Cruiserweight division, Perkins successfully made her professional debut on that evening by scoring a four round unanimous decision over Harrison. Now in her third bout this time fought at Heavyweight, Perkins saw similar results in her second encounter with Harrison as she experienced in her pro debut. Perkins out worked Harrison over six rounds to earn a convincing unanimous decision victory. If there was a slight difference between this fight and their first meeting last year, it appeared in the second half of this rematch that if Perkins opted to apply more pressure on Harrison, she may have been able to get a stoppage as Harrison appeared to struggle in the latter stages of the bout.

 

It is hard to necessarily say a fighter with only three professional bouts is ready for a potential world title shot. While in most cases this is true when discussing Men’s Boxing, it’s important to keep in mind that Women’s Boxing is still very much a sport that is growing in both the traditional and Bareknuckle forms. As such, it is not hard to envision Perkins possibly getting a shot at a world championship in the Heavyweight division in the near future depending on whether an opportunity for a championship bout exists. One should also consider that Perkins rematch against Harrison was for the Women’s WBC Silver championship in the Heavyweight division. While such championships are not held in high regard throughout the entire sport, in reality, the silver championship grants the holder of it a higher position in the WBC’s rankings in a given weight class. When one also factors into the equation that the WBC’s Women’s world championship in the Heavyweight division is currently vacant, the idea of Perkins fighting for a world championship sooner than later should be viewed as a very real possibility.

 

  While the future for the fighters who were able to shine on the SuperWomen undercard is unknown as of this writing as to potential future bouts, so too are questions regarding what Claressa Shields will do next. Shields, who in recent months made her intentions to venture into the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) clear by signing with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) MMA promotion revealed after her victory over Marie-Eve Dicaire that she intends to make her MMA debut as well as box again later this year. 

 

Although this may be viewed as a difficult task to accomplish particularly in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, it’s clear that Shields wants to compete and do so often. It should also not be overlooked that for a fighter who has thus far been dominant in her sport, she is challenging herself by testing the waters in a different combat sport while maintaining her position as the focal point in the view of many for Women’s Boxing.

 

In terms of who she might fight in her next bout, a danger with a fighter being able to achieve as much as Shields has in now only eleven fights is the idea of having accomplished everything possible. It is certainly true that after fully unifying two weight divisions and becoming a three-division world champion overall that Shields’ legacy in what will be a Hall of Fame resume is secure. There are still possibilities for her in the sport and one should not view the possibility of her going back up to the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division where she also holds a world championship to attempt to unify a third weight division as unrealistic.

 

While we will have to see what the future holds for Claressa Shields outside of her venture into MMA, which may include facing world champions in lower weight classes, or maybe even venturing into the Bareknuckle realm of the sport, it’s clear that Women’s Boxing has definitely come a long way and the SuperWomen event was a win for Boxing as a whole, but more importantly, a testament to the progress that has been made for Women competing in the sport. Something that has been long overdue.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

Promotional poster Courtesy of FITE TV Used with permission.

 

To watch the  SuperWomen Shields vs. Dicaire pay-per-view on demand for $29.99 download the FITE app on mobile, tablet, or connected streaming devices and Smart TVs or visit: https://www.fite.tv/watch/shields-vs-dicaire/2p8qn/ to order. For more information about FITE including schedules and list of compatible streaming devices/platforms, and Smart TVs, please visit: www.FITE.TV.

 

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

 

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