Female Fight News for week of Feb. 27, 2017 Heather Hardy and more
All heads turn toward Europe once again as Ireland’s Olympic gold medalist Katie Taylor returns to the prize ring in London, England.
Taylor (2-0) meets Italy’s Monica Gentili (6-6) at O2 Arena for a four round lightweight clash on Saturday March 4. The Irish prizefighter is being prepared for an American debut sometime later this year.
In two pro fights so far Taylor has opened eyes wide with her amazing fighting abilities. She faces a 39-year-old veteran in Gentili who’s currently on a two-fight win streak. But Taylor is looking for a knockout win to impress those watching.
A week later America’s Claressa Shields returns to the ring in Detroit. The two-time Olympic gold medalist recently signed a television contract and could be placed on the same boxing card as Taylor for an all-Olympian showcase. It’s a strong possibility.
Just this past Saturday Norway’s Cecilia Braekhus showed fight fans why many consider her one of the top female fighters pound for pound. She sliced through Sweden’s Klara Svensson with a dominating and clinical performance over 10 rounds. It seemed to show that maybe there are no more challenges remaining in Europe. Perhaps the welterweight champion should turn toward America now.
In North America two title bouts take place on Saturday.
First, Japan’s IBF light flyweight world titlist Naoko Shibata travels to Guadalajara, Mexico to face hometown challenger Alondra Garcia. It’s the sixth world title defense for Shibata who at 35 is willing to fight overseas against a 21-year-old Garcia whose last fight was a world title challenge for the bantamweight belt. She’s dropping back down to her natural weight of 108 pounds for this fight.
In New York City, Brooklyn to be exact, Heather “The Heat” Hardy returns to the boxing ring for the first time since winning the WBC International title against Shelly Vincent. It was an exciting super bantamweight clash. This time she faces Hungary’s hard-hitting Edina Kiss in a featherweight clash. Kiss has knocked out her last three consecutive opponents. The undefeated Hardy has her hands full but has experience and a mental toughness that can’t be measure.
Hardy will be fighting in her hometown and at Barclays Center where she has proven to be a favorite. The New York prizefighter has fought in that arena a total of seven times. She has proven to be unbeatable in Brooklyn.
Female Fight News
Argentina
Yamila Reynoso (7-1-3) and Cristina Cuevas (3-5-2) fought to a draw after four rounds on Friday Feb. 24. The welterweight clash took place in Villa Gobernador Galvez, Santa Fe, Argentina.
Australia
On Friday March 3, bantamweights Susie Ramadan (25-2) and Rungnapa Keawkraching (13-8-1) meet in a six round clash. Each round will be three-minute rounds and takes place in Flemington, Victoria, Australia. Ramadan, 37, is a two-time former world champion.
France
Justine Lallemand (5-0) defeated Marina Djekic (0-1) by decision on Saturday Feb. 25. The flyweight match was held in Tinqueux, France.
Ireland
Lynn Harvey (3-1) won by disqualification in the third round when Sara Coca (0-2) was disqualified for kicking on Saturday Feb. 25. The flyweight bout took place in Dublin. Coca allegedly fights out of Spain.
On Saturday, March 4, lightweights Katie Taylor (2-0) and Monica Gentili (6-6) meet in a six round bout in London, England. Taylor, a former Olympic gold medalist in 2012, has knocked out
Mexico
Erika Hernandez (5-0-1) defeated Karina Mondragon Caicedo (3-1) by unanimous decision after six rounds on Friday Feb. 24. The welterweight clash took place in Chavinda, Michoacan, Mexico.
Guadalupe Bautista (8-10-2) beat Carolina Garcia (1-5) by decision after eight rounds on Thursday Feb. 23. The light flyweight fight took place in Monterrey, Mexico.
On Friday March 3, super bantamweights Jessica Arreguin (11-1-1) and Yamileth Mercado (7-0) meet in a 10-round clash in Nuevo Casa Grande in Chihuahua for the vacant WBC Fecombox title.
On Saturday March 4, light flyweights Alondra Garcia (16-3-1) and Japan’s Naoko Shibata (16-3-1) meet in a 10 round clash for the IBF world title in Guadalajara, Mexico. Shibata is making her sixth world title defense since 2013.
New Zealand
Ramona Sargent (0-0-1) and Kaysey Warner (0-0-1) fought to a draw after four rounds on Saturday Feb. 25. The featherweight bout was held in Porirua, New Zealand.
Norway
Cecilia Braekhus (30-0) handily defeated Sweden’s Klara Svensson (17-2) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds on Friday Feb. 24. The welterweight title for the IBF, WBC, WBA and WBO titles took place on Oslo, Norway in front of more than 10,000 fans. Braekhus, 35, was originally born in Colombia but now makes Norway her home. Svensson, 29, fights out of Malmo, Sweden.
Russia
Tatyana Zrazhevskaya (5-0) defeated Galina Ivanova (16-15-4) by unanimous decision after 10 rounds to win the vacant WBC CIS and Slovenian title. The super bantamweight fight took place in Solnechnyy, Russia. Zrazhevskaya, 25, fights out of Russia but is originally from Kazakhstan. Ivanova, 38, is a southpaw and former world champion who fights out of Bulgaria.
Slovakia
Nikolett Papp (4-0) was victorious over Eva Kolos (3-8) by technical knockout in the third round on Tuesday Feb. 21. The super welterweight clash was held in Sturovo, Slovakia.
South Korea
Hee Jung Yuh (18-3) won by technical knockout over Wassana Kamdee (1-2) in the fourth round on Sunday Feb. 26. The super flyweight fight for the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council title took place in Gimhae City, South Korea. Also, Hyun Hee Kil (2-1) defeated Paksa Upatam (0-3) by decision after six bantamweight rounds.
USA
Josette Rodriguez (4-1) defeated Allison Edwards (1-2) by decision after four rounds on Saturday Feb. 25. The lightweight bout too place in Pharr, Texas.
On Saturday March 4, featherweights Heather Hardy (18-0) and Edina Kiss (13-2) meet in a 10 round bout in Brooklyn, New York. The WBC International title will be at stake. Hardy, 35, is making her first fight since August. Kiss, 27, fights out of Hungary and has won by knockout in three consecutive fights.
On Saturday March 4, super bantamweights Britain Hart (2-1) and Alycia Baumgartner (0-0) meet in a four round bout in Colombus, Ohio.
Venezuela
Leiryn Flores (7-0-1) defeated Elianny Jimenez (0-2) by technical knockout in the second round on Wednesday Feb. 22. The light flyweight match took place in Petare, Venezuela.