Three-time, two-division World Champion Miyo Yoshida
NEW YORK CITY (October 25, 2024) – COMPUBOX numbers from this past Wednesday night’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) Women’s Bantamweight World Championship match between defending champion Miso Yoshida and challenger Shurretta Metcalf clearly do not support the judges’ controversial 10-round unanimous decision in favor of Metcalf.
The judge’s dubious scores of 99-91 (Robin Taylor), Robert Perez (97-93) and Max DeLuca (96-94) awarded Metcalf the disputed victory. The right outcome appeared clear – both in the surprise reactions of Metcalf’s corner and also the thunderous objection from the crowd.
As the scores were read, immediate objections reigned down through the arena as Yoshida and many ringsiders looked stunned.
Metcalf’s unproductive higher work rate of wildly ineffective aggression apparently was favored more by the judges than Yoshida’s well timed and forceful jabs, which set up her more impactful power shots, as well as a much higher comparable percentage of connected punches.
According to COMPUBOX, punch-wise, Yoshida finished the fight ahead 96-64 overall, 49-17 in jabs, 30-16 in body punches and 8-0-2 in a round-to-round breakdown of total connects. Yoshida’s masterful defense kept her opponent at a distance, resulting in a large percentage of Metcalf’s punches falling short of connecting, and striking nothing but air.
Overall, Yoshida landed an astonishingly 50-percent more punches (96-64) than Metcalf, in addition to having a much higher accuracy percentage, nearly three times as great at 22-percent to her opponent’s 9-percent.
Considering her 4-inch height and 6 ½ -inch reach disadvantages, Yoshida shouldn’t have been discredited by the judges for her style – fighting on the outside, moving inside to land punches, and then returning to the outside – because it was really the only way she could defeat the much larger Metcalf. Based on COMPUBOX statistics, she did just that and should have had her hands raised in victory.
Putting aside the bizarrely lopsided scores from Taylor, if the other two judges scored the first, sixth and eighth rounds properly based on the COMPUBOX numbers, Miyo would have won the fight by way of a majority decision. Yoshida out-landed Metcalf in rounds one and eight by 100-percent and by 175-percent in round six. Inexplicably, those rounds were scored against Yoshida.
“Yoshida vs. Metcalf 2” headlined the “Heroes on the Hudson 2” card, presented by DiBella Entertainment, which was broadcast live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden on ProBoxTV.
“It was an honor to once again share the ring with Shuretta,” the dejected Yoshita said shortly after the fight, “this time in the mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden. “I felt I did more than enough to win the fight, and I don’t understand why the judges awarded my opponent for throwing wild punches that never landed and the few that did, had no effect.”
“Having watched it ringside, read disagreement in the boxing media with the outcome and now seeing these lopsided statistics in Miyo’s favor,” Yoshita’s manager Keith Sullivan commented. “It is hard not to question the accuracy of the scoring. A 7-3 score is a disturbingly extreme stretch. The 9-1 score turned a world championship fight into a tragic farce. This was a disservice to the sport.”
The ProBox TV announcers agreed on air that the 99-91 score was “absurd”. Hall of Fame boxing writer Thomas Hauser, who covered the fight live for www.tss.ib.tv, wrote the following about “Yoshita-Metcalf 2”: “Shurretta threw wild punches from long range all night. When she landed, it seemed almost by accident. The decision could have gone either way. I thought each fighter clearly won three rounds with four rounds up for grabs. 97-93 was a stretch. 99-91 reeked of being an agenda-driven scorecard.
Matt Delaglio was recently named executive director of the New York State Athletic Commission and inherited a job that has long been marked by incompetence and neglect. Delaglio is conscientious and well-qualified for the position. But he has a lot of work to do. One of the things on his ‘to-do list’ should be an overhaul of ring judging in New York. Right now, the judging in New York is unacceptable.”
A single mother of daughter Mina, Miyo is known as the “Fighting Single Mother” in Japan, where she is a revered role model. Yoshida received the 2023 Most Inspirational Female Fighter award from The Ring magazine. She moved half-way around the world from Japan to New York City to enhance her pro boxing career, unable to speak English, although she is studying to learn the language.
INFORMATION X : @MiyoBledog Instagram : @miyo_yoshida_ Facebook: /miyoyoshida
This Wednesday vs. Shurretta Metcalf on ProBox TV live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden
Miyo Yoshida(picture courtesy of DiBella Entertainment)
NEW YORK CITY (October 21, 2024) – So much has changed in the last year for three-time, two-division World Champion Miyo Yoshida (17-4, 0 KOs) when she enters the ring this Wednesday night (Oct. 23) to make the first defense of her International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title, as well as avenge a loss to her challenger, No. 1 contender Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf (13-4-1, 2 KOs), at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Yoshida vs. Metcalf will headline the “Heroes on the Hudson 2” card, presented by DiBella Entertainment and broadcast live on ProBoxTV, in the 10-round (2-minutes each) main event to celebrate and support heroic veterans of the United States Armed Forces in advance of Veterans Day in the latest addition of the popular Broadway Boxing series.
A year ago, in the inaugural “Heroes on the Hudson” card, Metcalf defeated Yoshida by way of a 10-round unanimous decision, but, a month later, Yoshida answered the call to challenge IBF Bantamweight World Champion Ebanie Bridges (9-1) and the Japanese boxer was an upset winner in San Francisco via a 10-round unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 97-93), capturing her third world title.
“Everything changed when I received the offer two weeks before the world title I won,” Yoshida explained. “I had planned to fight if I received a nomination order, and I want to take revenge and increase my value. I can learn from my losses, so this result will be different.
“I think Metcalf maintains her boxing style with that blessed height (5’ 7 ½”) because she works so hard. She is a single mother (as is Miyo) and tries many things. She can be rough with her language, but I basically respect her. I will defend and firmly avenge my loss to her to advance my story.”
Yoshida also attributed much of her success to her New York City-based team: head trainer Jimmy Sosa, his brother and assistant trainer Aurelinna, strength-and-conditioning coach Sergie Korchynskyy, and manager Keith Sullivan.
“The Sosas are like a father to me and Sergie is like my brother,” Yoshida said. “They come to listen to my lectures, and I learn important things in life, not only through boxing, but also with many kids at Cops & Kids Boxing gym in Brooklyn. Team Sosa patiently teaches me until I understand even if there is a language barrier. I appreciate that and members of Team Sosa are learning Japanese, because the team is united as one.” 4-time World Champion Jorge Linares will work her corner, and he speaks fluent Japanese.
“Keith is my manager, and he listens to me kindly and explores many possibilities for me. He understands my struggles as a single mother, in a foreign country.”
Yoshida vs. Metcalf launches the Great 8 Tournament to crown the undisputed women’s World Bantamweight Champion.
Miyo had been training regularly with veterans and active duty personal at the U.S. military bases in Japan since her July 2016 match at Camp Zama, which inspired her to move to New York. She is still supported by the people at Camp Zama and Atsugi Base.
“It is truly an honor to be managing Miyo,” Sullivan commented. “She is a three-time world champion who brings tremendous professionalism and commitment to her training. This fight has a great drama built into it because of the loss she suffered in their first fight followed by Miyo convincingly winning the world title one month later as a last-minute fill-in. This is a Do Not Miss fight. It will be an exciting fight. I am hopeful that this tournament can be the blueprint for other female divisions to keep the champions and their mandatories active. It is a win-win for all involved.”
Sullivan is a former Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Athletic Commission, who manages IBF and WBA #6 rated welterweight Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor (4-0, 2 KOs), and WBC #9 rated super middleweight Nisa Rodriguez (2-0, 0 KOs), amongst several other professional fighters.
Yoshida to defend her IBF Bantamweight World title Oct. 23 vs. Shurretta Metcalf on ProBoxTV live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden
NEW YORK CITY (October 14, 2024) – Three-time, two-division World Champion Miyo Yoshida (17-4, 0 KOs) will out her developing boxing legacy in Japan on the line October 23rd, when she makes the first defense of her International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight crown against No. 1 contender Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf (13-4-1, 2 KOs), at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Yoshida vs. Metcalf will headline the “Heroes on the Hudson 2” card, presented by DiBella Entertainment and broadcast live on ProBoxTV, in the 10-round (2-minutes each) main event to celebrate and support heroic veterans of the United States Armed Forces in advance of Veterans Day in the latest addition of the popular Broadway Boxing series.
One of only 23 female world champions from Japan, The 35-year-old Yoshida is only the sixth from her country to capture world titles in two or more divisions. She captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Flyweight crown twice in 2019 and 2021.
Japan is a powerbase in men’s professional boxing with contemporary superstars such as Undisputed Junior Featherweight World Champion Naoya “The Monster” Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) and World Boxing Council (WBC) Bantamweight World Champion Junto Nakatani (29-0, 22 KOs). However, in women’s boxing today, Yoshida is arguably the best from Japan, as well as one of the greatest female prizefighters of all-time from the Land of the Rising Son, behind only retired Japanese fighters Naoko Fujioka (19-3-1, 7 KOs), Japan’s only five-weight class female world champion, and possibly Emiko Raika (24-8-1, 10 KOs).
A single mother of daughter Mina, Miyo is known as the “Fighting Single Mother” in Japan, where she is a revered role model. Yoshida received the 2023 Most Inspirational Female Fighter award from The Ring magazine.
“I hope to further shape the way that was created by our predecessors into a better one for the next generation,” Yoshida said.
To cement her legacy, Yoshida must first get past Metcalf in their rematch, avenging Miyo’s loss by way of 10-round decision a year ago, and advance in the Great 8 Tournament to determine the undisputed women’s bantamweight world champion. Fortunately, all of the world bantamweight champions – WBC/WBO & The Ring Champion Dina Thorslund (22-0, 9 KOs) of Denmark, IBF Ellie Scotney (9-0, 0 KOs) from the United Kingdom, and the Yoshida vs. Metcalf winner (their fight technically launches the tournament) – will compete in the Great 8 along with some of the leading contenders such as Cherneka Johnson (16-2, 6 KOs), Yulihan “La Cobritas” Luna Avila (27-4-1, 4 KOs), and Segolene “Majestic” Lefebure (18-1, 1 KO).
“Right now,” Yoshida noted, “I’m only thinking of defending my title belt. I had been hoping for unification fights since I was able to become world champion again. I was impatient with this interval between matches because it is the last chapter due to my age. If I couldn’t compete in boxing, I thought about returning to kickboxing or MMA. I didn’t want to be in between fights, and I thought it would be better for me and for women’s boxing if I became well known.”
“Japan’s boxing scene carries a rich history with a strong cultural connection to its people,” Miyo’s manager Keith Sullivan commented. “Japanese boxers honor a tradition of competitive excellence and outstanding sportsmanship. Miyo embodies these qualities as she fights for the pride of Japan. She is an exemplary champion for her native country.”
Sullivan is a former Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Athletic Commission, who manages IBF and WBA #6 rated welterweight Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor (4-0, 2 KOs), and WBC #9 rated super middleweight Nisa Rodriguez (2-0, 0 KOs), amongst several other professional fighters.
IBF Bantamweight World Champion Miyo Yoshida to have 4-time World Champion Jorge Linares in her corner
Oct. 23 vs. Shurretta Metcalf Theater at Madison Square Garden
(L-R) – Miyo Yoshida & Jorge Linares NEW YORK CITY (October 7, 2024) – Three-time, two-division World Champion Reigning Miyo Yoshida (17-4, 0 KOs) will add a special addition to her corner on October 23rd, when she makes the initial defense of her International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title against No. 1 contender Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf (13-4-1, 2 KOs), at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Yoshida vs. Metcalf will headline in a 10-round (2-minutes each) main event on the “Heroes on the Hudson 2” card, presented by DiBella Entertainment, which will celebrate and support heroic veterans of the United States Armed Forces in advance of Veterans Day in the latest addition of the popular Broadway Boxing series.
Future Hall of Famer Jorge “El Nino de Oro Golden Boy” Linares (47-9, 29 KOs), the four-time, three-division world champion from his native Venezuela, will be making the trip from his home in Tokyo to the Big Apple, where he fought twice during his 21-year pro boxing career. “My senior, Jorge Linares, will be joining me as my second this time,” through a translator Yoshida explained the difference between her first fight with her Oct. 23rd challenger. “It is reassuring to have someone who can give me instructions in Japanese for spur-of-the-moment decisions during this fight. The members of Team Sosa (Jimmy Sosa is her head trainer) are also learning Japanese. The team is united.
“Although I am struggling with the English language, I am very happy to have come to New York City. I am grateful to Lou DiBella (her promoter, DiBella Entertainment) for giving me the opportunity. The condition from him was for me and my daughter to immigrate here. I am very thankful to my manager, Keith Sullivan, for handling the business side and guiding me. Even though I don’t speak English, I have met many friends who saw what I was doing and supported me.”
Linares moved to Japan at the age of 17 because he wanted to turn pro and would have had to wait until he was 18 if he had remained in Venezuela. He was 10-4 in world title fights, defeating six world champions: Hugo Rafael Soto, Oscar Larios, Gamaliel Diaz, Jesus Chavez and Anthony Crolla (twice).
Yoshida, 35, captured the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Flyweight crowns twice in 2019 and 2021. She is one of 23 female world champions from Japan, only the sixth to capture world titles in two or more divisions.
In her last fight, Metcalf defeated Yoshida by way of a 10-round unanimous decision for the International Boxing Federation (IBF), ironically, on the original “Heroes of the Hudson” last November 7 also at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Last December in her most recent fight, Yoshida put on a boxing clinic in San Francisco, replacing injured Avril Mathie on less than two weeks’ notice to defeat defending IBF bantamweight title-holder Ebanie Bridges (9-1) by way of a dominant 10-round unanimous decision (99-91, 99-91, 97-93).
A single mother of daughter her, Mina, Miyo is known as the “Fighting Single Mother” in Japan, where she is a revered role model back, and for that reason as well as her success in the ring, Yoshida received the 2023 Most Inspirational Female Fighter award from The Ring magazine.
Yoshida vs. Metcalf launches the beginning of the Great 8 Tournament to determine the undisputed women’s bantamweight world champion “Miyo is a 3-time World Champion, she has proven she knows what it takes to win. Outside the ring she is an amazing single mother raising her beautiful daughter in a foreign country. Few have made the sacrifices to create opportunities for her and her daughter the way Miyo has. It is an honor to be working with such a dynamic and exciting world champion”, said Miyo’s manager New York City-based lawyer Keith Sullivan.
Sullivan is a former Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Athletic Commission, who manages IBF and WBA #6 rated welterweight Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor (4-0, 2 KOs), and WBC #9 rated super middleweight Nisa Rodriguez (2-0, 0 KOs), amongst several other professional fighters.
