PITTSBURGH (March 26, 2022) – Gionta Management will present the first women’s world boxing championship match in Western Pennsylvania history this Saturday night (March 30) as Mary Casamassa battles Olivia Gerula in the 10-round main event for the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) Super Middleweight World title at Steamfitters 449 Union Hall in Harmony, Pennsylvania.
“Brawl at the Hall,” presented by Gionta Management, will be streamed live on www.CombatSportsNow.com for $19.99.
“I’m excited to hold a fight of this magnitude here in Pittsburgh for the first time,” promoter Derek Gionta said. “Female boxing is gaining popularity and there are a number of phenomenal female fighters out there to thank for that.
“Olivia Gerula is battle tested and she recently went eight rounds with a very solid boxer, Olivia Curry. Mary will be at her best and we expect the same from Olivia.”
Casamassa (4-0, 1 KO), a 24-year-old southpaw from Pittsburgh, plans to join Jill Emery as the only female world boxing champions in Pittsburgh’s rich boxing history. Emery captured the International Boxing Association (IBA) Welterweight World Championship on June 12, 2008, with a dominant 10-round decision over Angelica Martinez at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.
“I am very excited to be headlining this card, and I am looking forward to the challenge of fighting someone with as much experience as Olivia,” Casamassa commented. “It’s a great opportunity for me and I can’t wait.”
Gerula (19-20-3, 3 KOs) is a veteran Canadian boxer who is a former World Boxing Council Super Featherweight World Champion. She has fought in nine world championship matches and her opponents’ list is a virtual Who’s Who of women’s boxing: Amanda Serrano, Mia. St. John, Kathy Collins, Jaime Clampitt, Jennifer Han, Maureen Shea, and Jelena Mrdjenovich, who Gerula defeated to capture her world title.
“Training camp is running smoothly,” Gerula noted. “I am focused on fighting a southpaw for the first time in my 26+ years. I’m so excited for this fight. I moved from Winnipeg to Las Vegas in 2020 with the singular goal of winning my next World Title – March 30th is THE DAY! All talk aside, I will let my hands do the talking from the first bell to the very last.”
Past WIBA world champions include Laila Ali, Holly Holm, Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, Ann Wolfe, Sumya Anani, Chevelle Hallback, Melida Cooper, Jeannine Garside and Mary Jo Sanders.
In the co-featured event, Pittsburgh’s unbeaten, popular super middleweight “Pretty” Richie Cantolina (7-0-1, 3 KOs) faces Jonathan Ryan Burrs (4-8-1, 1 KO) in a six-round bout.
Another undefeated local fighter, Aliquippa (PA) super welterweight Paul Palombo (6-0, 1 KO), throws-down with Devonte Jones (3-1, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder.
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in four-round bouts is West Virginia super middleweight Tyler Aincough (2-1, 1 KO) vs. TBD, Pittsburgh featherweight Michaelangelo Turner (0-5) vs. Tyquan Johnson (0-1), and Ambridge. PA junior middleweight Tre Craycraft (6-0, 1 KO) vs. TBD.
Card subject to change.
Priced at $50.00 (general admission), $75.00 (reserved) and $125.00 (ringside), tickets are available to purchase online at www.eventbrite.com (“Brawl at the Hall”) or by calling 1.412.759.0407.
The eight-day invitational event is open to novice (beginner) and open (experienced) boxers of all ages from pee wee (aged 8-10) to masters (35 and over) and aims to create opportunities for women of all ages and abilities to compete.
More than 200 boxers from eight National Federations across four continents are currently registered to take part.
The President of USA Boxing and a member of World Boxing’s Interim Executive Board, Tyson Lee, said: “USA Boxing is extremely proud to be able to host this event in association with World Boxing. The Championships aim to celebrate women and create valuable competition opportunities for female boxers of all standards and ages.
“Working with USA Boxing to deliver this event is a sign of World Boxing’s support for boxers at every level, from the grassroots to the elite, and its commitment to creating competitive opportunities that will enable all boxers to flourish.”
World Boxing was launched in April 2023. It will hold its inaugural Congress in November and plans to publish details of its competition strategy, tournament calendar and the bidding process for staging events in the latter part of 2023.
NEW YORK (March 22, 2023) – Multiple world champion Kathy “Wildcat” Collins (14-2-4, 3 KOs) will become the first female boxer inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF).
Collins, of Plainview, is one of a 22-member Class of 2022 being inducted at the 11th NYSBHOF induction dinner, sponsored by Ring 8, on Sunday afternoon (12:30-5:30 p.m. ET), April 30, at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, New York.
”It’s a tremendous honor to be inducted into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame,” said Collins (married name Globuschutz). “This is my fourth induction into Halls of Fame, which is special to me since I also held four world titles. But this is even more special since it is finally here in New York, the Mecca of Boxing, and where it all started for me.
“In 1995, I was part of the first class of women ever allowed to box in the fabled Daily News Golden Gloves. A year later, the first women’s fight televised on the USA Tuesday night boxing series from the Paramount at Madison Square Garden, which culminated in the highest female purses at the time from Madison Square Garden as a co-featured bout on a major pay-per-view for Don King. These were major accomplishments in women’s boxing. It helped paved the way for women today, some coming out of the Olympics, selling out The Garden and working towards equal pay with seven-figure pay days.”
Collins’ second professional fight was a six-round decision over Andrea DeShong in 1996, which brought pro women’s boxing to the famed Madison Square Garden and regular cable television.
In 1997, Kathy captured the IFBA welterweight title and added the IWBF junior welterweight crown later that same year, then, she dropped down to the lightweight division to successfully challenge for the IWBF championship. Collins became the first fighter to simultaneously own world titles in the WIBF, IFBA, and IWBF.
Kathy Collins is a true pioneer in women’s boxing. Now, she’ll be honored at home in New York by her induction into the NYSBHOF.
“In 30 years,” she concluded, “we’ve come a long way baby! It is truly an honor to be recognized by the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame and to be recognized and included in in a tremendously talented, successful class of inductees, and being around so many of my friends and colleagues that helped me break ceilings along the way.”
“Kathy Collins is a great asset for the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame as our first female boxer inductee,” NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy commented. “Her induction into the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame is an extension of her career as a pioneer of women’s boxing. We are proud to be inducting her.”
Other living boxers heading into the NYSBHOF are Brooklyn’s 2-division (welterweight & light welterweight), 6-time World Champion “Super” Zab Judah (44-10, 30 KOs), Brooklyn’s 2-divbision World Champion (welterweight and light welterweight) Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi (36-8, 7 KOs), Troy welterweight Kevin “Mr. Excitement” Pompey (32-18-3, 12 KOs), and Brooklyn World Super Lightweight World title challenger Dmitry “Star of David” Salita (35-2-1, 18 KOs).
Posthumous participants being inducted are Poughkeepsie’s world lightweight challenger Johnny Busso (36-12-1, 15 KOs), Bronx middleweight Eugene “Silent” Hairston (45-13-5, 24 KOs), New York City’s NYSAC Featherweight World Champion Tony “Jimmy Pell” Pellone (51-19-6, 10 KOs), Bronx featherweight Mike “The Bronx Spider” Belloise (91-28-12, 21 KOs), New York City’s World Colored Heavyweight Champion Harry “Black Panther” Wills (70-9-3, 56 KOs), and Hempstead’s World Light Heavyweight World title challenger Eddie “Wildcat” Davis (34-6-1, 20 KOs).
Living non-participants heading into the NYSBHOF are Brooklyn trainer Hector Rocha, Brooklynn ring announcer Dave Diamante, Bronx commentator/producer/radio show host Tony Paige, Latham journalist Bob Mladinich, Brooklyn neurologist Barry Jordan, Brooklyn judge Robin Taylor, and Buffalo journalist Bob Caico.
Posthumous non-participant inductees are Brooklyn manager Izzy Zwerling, Manhattan manager Dave Wolf, Brooklyn trainer George Washington, and New York City manager/promoter Irving Cohen.
Each attending inductee (or direct descendant of) will receive a custom-designed belt signifying his or her induction into the NYSBHOF.
The 2022 inductees were selected by the NYSBHOF Nominating Committee members: Chairperson Jack Hirsch, Randy Gordon, Henry Hascup, Don Majeski, Ron McNair, Jim Monteverde, Neil Terens, Jose Corpas, Bobby Cassidy, and Bob Duffy.
All boxers needed to be inactive for at least three years to be eligible for NYSBHOF induction, and all inductees must have resided in New York State for a significant portion of their boxing careers or during the prime of their respective career.
Tickets are priced at $160.00 per adult, $60.00 for children (under 16), and includes a complete brunch and cocktail hour upon entry, starting at 12:30 p.m. ET, as well as a 7-course dinner (prime rib, fish, or poultry) and open bar throughout the event. Tickets are available to purchase by contacting NYSBHOF president Bob Duffy at 516.313.2304 or depcomish@aol.com. Ads for the NYSBHOF program are available, ranging from $80.00 to $200.00, by contacting Duffy. Go online at www.nyboxinghof.org or www.Ring8ny.com for additional information about the York State Boxing Hall of Fame New.
NYSBHOF
CLASS of 2012: Carmen Basilio, Mike McCallum, Mike Tyson, Jake LaMotta, Riddick Bowe, Carlos Ortiz, Vito Antuofermo, Emile Griffith, “Sugar” Ray Robinson, Gene Tunney, Benny Leonard, Tony Canzoneri, Harold Lederman, Steve Acunto, Jimmy Glenn, Gil Clancy, Ray Arcel, Nat Fleischer, Bill Gallo and Arthur Mercante, Sr.
CLASS of 2013: Jack Dempsey, Johnny Dundee, Sandy Saddler, Maxie Rosenbloom, Joey Archer, Iran Barkley, Mark Breland, Bobby Cassidy, Doug Jones, Junior Jones, James “Buddy” McGirt, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Bob Arum, Shelly Finkel, Tony Graziano, Larry Merchant, Teddy Brenner, Mike Jacobs, Tex Rickard and Don Dunphy.
CLASS OF 2014: Floyd Patterson, Tracy Harris Patterson, Billy Backus, Kevin Kelley, Juan LaPorte, Gerry Cooney, Mustafa Hamsho, Howard Davis, Jr., Lou Ambers, Jack Britton, Terry McGovern, Teddy Atlas, Lou DiBella, Steve Farhood, Gene Moore, Angelo Prospero, Whitey Bimstein, Cus D’Amato, William Muldoon and Tom O’Rourke.
CLASS OF 2015: Saoul Mamby, Joey Giamba, Johnny Persol, Harold Weston, Lonnie Bradley, Paul Berlenbach, Billy Graham, Frankie Genaro, Bob Miller, Tommy Ryan, Jimmy Slattery, Bob Duffy, Mike Katz, Tommy Gallagher, Bruce Silverglade, Charley Goldman, Jimmy Johnston, Cedric Kushner, Harry Markson, Damon Runyon, and Al Weill.
CLASS OF 2016: Aaron Davis, Charles Murray, Vilomar Fernandez, Edwin Viruet, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Rocky Graziano, Rocky Kansas, Joe Lynch, Joe Miceli, Ed Brophy, Joe DeGuardia, Randy Gordon, Dennis Rappaport, Howie Albert, Freddie Brown, Howard Cosell, Ruby Goldstein, and Jimmy Jacobs.
CLASS OF 2017: Gaspar Ortega, Renaldo “Mr.” Snipes, Doug Dewitt, “The Bronx Bomber” Alex Ramos, Dick Tiger, Jose Torres, “Nonpareil” Jack Dempsey, Don Majeski, Ron Katz, Stan Hoffman, Bobby Bartels, Hank Kaplan, Al Gavin, Arthur Donovan, and Dan Parker.
CLASS OF 2018: Lou Del Valle, Jake Rodriguez, Terrence Alli, Joe Mesi, Kid Chocolate, James J. “Gentleman Jim” Corbett, Jack McAuliffe, Billy Costello, Melio Bettina Ralph “Tiger” Jones, Charley Norkus, Dave Anderson, Pete Brodsky, Herb Goldman, Bobby Goodman, Melvina Lathan, Ron Scott Stevens, Johnnie Addie, Johnny Bos, Murray Goodman, Bert Randolph Sugar, and Sam Taub.
No class of 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions
CLASS OF 2020: Jorge Ahumada, Alfredo Escalera, Freddie Liberatore, Dennis Milton; Lou Savarese and Merqui Sosa, Soldier Bartfield, Steve Belloise, Jimmy Goodrich, Tami Mauriello, Davey Moore, Freddie Welch, Don Ackerman, Bobby Cassidy, Jr., Rick Glaser, Jack Hirsch, Max Kellerman, Dr. William Lathan, Julie Lederman, Ron Lipton, Kevin Rooney, Dan Daniel, Bobby Gleason, Flash Gordan, A.J. Liebling, Tony Mazzarella, and manager Dan Morgan.
CLASS OF 2021: Michael Bentt, Shannon Briggs, Verno Phillips, Donny Lalonde Johnny” Verderosa, Larry Barnes, Johnny Turner, Al Singer, Kid Norfolk, Patsy Giovanelli, Eddie Martin, Battling Siki, Solly Krieger, Herbie Kronowitz, Tommy Paul, Lou Salica, Ron McNair, Don Elbaum, Ed Schuyler, Bill Verigan, Tom Hauser, Mike Silver, and Jill Diamond, Lou Stillman, Bill Cayton, James Walker, John Condon, Irving Rudd, Richard K. Fox, and trainer Victor Valle.
ABOUT RING 8: Formed in 1954 by an ex-prizefighter, Jack Grebelsky, Ring 8 became the eighth subsidiary of what was then known as the National Veteran Boxers Association – hence, RING 8 – and today the organization’s motto remains: Boxers Helping Boxers.
RING 8 is fully committed to supporting less fortunate people in the boxing community who may require assistance in terms of paying rent, medical expenses, or whatever justifiable need.
Go online to www.Ring8ny.com for more information about RING 8, the largest group of its kind in the United States with more than 350 members. Annual membership dues are only $30.00, and each member is entitled to a buffet dinner at RING 8 monthly meetings, excluding July and August. All active boxers, amateur and professional, are entitled to a complimentary RING 8 yearly membership. Guests of Ring 8 members are welcome at a cost of only $7.00 per person.
LAVAL, Quebec, Canada (March 16, 2023) — Montreal’s Kim Clavel (16-0-1, 3KO) will step back into the ring to take on Naomi “La Chapita” Arellano Reyes (9-2-0, 5KO), of Los Angeles, for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) International Flyweight Championship on April 28, at Place Bell in Laval. The vacant WBC international flyweight title will be on the line as confirmed by the WBC. We have also requested sanctions for the division’s IBF Inter-Continental and WBO Inter-Continental titles as well. Verbal confirmation has been obtained and we expect to receive the required sanctions confirmation within the next few hours.
This will be the first fight for Clavel, 32, since the incredible clash this past of January 13 against World Boxing Association (WBA) world champion Yesica Nery Plata (29-2-0, 3KO), which the popular Canadian lost by decision in her first WBC title defense.
April 28th will mark the start of Clavel’s “RECONQUEST”, who intends to prove herself again by positioning her for a rematch with Plata as quickly as possible. She is presently ranked as the WBC #1, WBO #3 and IBF #4 contender.
Clavel is more motivated than ever, saying: “I want to regain my world title, but I will take it one fight at a time. We will reposition ourselves in the rankings. I’m going to need all of Quebec behind me. I’m confident with my team, my perseverance and all of you that, by the end of the year, we’ll get more than just a world champion belt! Thank you for your eternal support.”
Originally from Nayarit, Mexico, Reyes now lives and trains in Los Angeles, California. The 28-year-old Reyes is renowned for her power as evidenced by her 5 knockout victories to date. Her most notable win was versus former multiple time world champion Carina Moreno (25-7-0, 6KO) in 2020. In her last outing last October, Reyes lost by decision against Gabriela Fundura (8-0-0, 4KO) for the WBC Latino flyweight title in a PBC event broadcast on Showtime.
Clavel and Reyes were supposed to face each other in August 2021 at the IGA Stadium, but the latter had to withdraw due to health restrictions to enter Canada, and she was replaced by Maria Vargas (14-4-1, 1KO).
“It is with great enthusiasm and confidence that we are relaunching Kim with the ultimate goal of allowing her to avenge her defeat and regain her world title,” said GYM President Yvon Michel. “We remember the great intense and passionate fight between the two champions last January. Besides, the latter is still in the running for the 2023 Fight of the Year! The 4,000 spectators at Place Bell are still excited. To return to the world championship, Kim must prove herself again and these international titles will allow her to become a must challenger for the champion.”
Groupe Yvon Michel is a professional boxing promotion organization, founded in 2004 by Yvon Michel, Alexandra Croft and Bernard Barré, who are still active in the company, the most prolific in the history of professional boxing in Canada. Since its foundation, GYM has promoted 165 events in Quebec, all televised in Quebec on RDS, TVA Sports or Radio-Canada, as well as participated in 38 international events outside Quebec. Eight GYM boxers have become world champions: Joachim Alcine, Jean Pascal, Adonis Stevenson, Artur Beterbiev, Eleider Alvarez, Marie-Eve Dicaire (twice), Oscar Rivas and Kim Clavel. Nineteen boxers from the organization have delivered 54 world championship fights, maintaining an excellent record of 30 wins, 22 losses and 2 draws. During this period, major American television networks were more active than ever in coming to Quebec to broadcast the most important events of the organization.
Former Team GB star Laura Pain is set to challenge for her first International Championship honours, when she faces Nigeria’s Mary Abbey for the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) International Super Flyweight Crown, on the Cestus Events promoted event at City Coast Centre in Portslade, East Sussex this coming Friday, the 18th February 2022.
Pain, who pro debuted just seven months ago in July ’21, is on a fast track for World Championship honours, and quite rightly so as she oozes serious talent from every pore, and what’s more is willing to take on all-comers, as proved by her decision to go toe-to-toe with Mary Abbey, whose record stands at 3-0-0 with all victories coming by way of KO, after her original opponent Ghana’s Leticia Abbott failed to receive her visa in time.
Speaking from her home earlier Pain said, “I can’t wait to get in the ring on Friday.
“I’ve got a tough girl in Mary, but I’m in boxing to climb the rankings and overcome anyone that’s in my way to get to the top.
“I train hard and sacrifice a lot so I’m excited to show my talent and make my mark on the pro scene”
In addition to the exciting Pain versus Abbey World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Championship fight, Promoter Trevor Lake has put together a mouthwatering International undercard that features boxers from Africa, India, Poland and of course the UK.
Main support sees Mark Ellins versus Poland’s Pawel Sowik in an eight round Heavyweight Contest.
Co-Main support sees India’s Sandeep Kumar (5-0-0) in action against Ghana’s Ishmael Nettey (3-0-0) in a six round Super Middleweight contest.
Local Light Heavyweight John Marvin is set to make his professional debut against India’s Nishant Sharma and Londoner Henry Johnson is set to make his debut against India’s Akashdeep Singh, also in action will be Indian Heavyweight Ranjeet Singh and Parmod Kumar, against yet to be named opponents.
Laura Pain versus Mary Abbey, for the vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Super Flyweight International Championship headlines the Trevor Lake Cestus Events promoted Friday Fight Night event at the City Coast Centre in Portslade, East Sussex this coming Friday, the 18th February 2022.
Hollie Towl may only be 18 years of age, but already she is competing at the highest level in the professional game, just as she did as an amateur, winning no less than five National championships as well as many other regional accolades.
Since turning pro in September 2020 the sensational teen has racked up an impressive 6-0-0 record and is the youngest World Champion, of either gender, having secured the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) Featherweight World Championship back in September 2021, with a win over Argentina’s Cristina Del Valle Pacheco.
On Sunday afternoon Towl stepped up a division to challenge and beat former Italian Amateur National Champion Nadia Flalhi to secure the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Super Featherweight European Championship by unanimous decision; winning every round on judges Carla Fox and Steve Tighe’s scorecards and winning all but three rounds which judge Adrian Thorne scored as drawn on his card.
On paper this was as as close to a genuine fifty-fifty contest you possibly wish for, exceptional amateur careers and both unbeaten as professionals, so no surprise then that the actual fight soon became a full on Battle Royale.
Right from the opening bell both sensational young warriors went into battle, it was breathtaking watching the contest unfold, initially Flalhi took full advantage of her height and superior reach to keep Towl at bay, but Towl is as savvy as they come and it wasn’t long before she used her exceptional ring craft to neutralise the Italian’s height and reach advantage, before letting rip with scintillating flurries and big shots to head and body.
As the fight progressed Flalhi adapted her game plan and drew the feisty teen to the inside, a plan that may have worked on others with less ability, but not with Towl, she was just as happy to go to war up close and took advantage of every opportunity that came her way.
In addition to the sensational Towl versus Flalhi finale of the Boyle Pro Boxing promoted event, the fans in attendance were treated to five further closely matched contests.
Worksop’s Eleanor Coulson extended her record to 5-1-0 after her opponent Aimee Moody was forced to retire at the end of the first with a serious knee injury.
Middleweight Cameron Moran took his record to 2-0-0 with a close victory over the extremely tough Afghan born Londoner Zahir Bennett. Moran versus Bennett was without doubt a leading candidate for Fight of the Night, as with Towl versus Flalhi it was an all action affair.
Cruiserweight Alvis Berzins extended his unbeaten record to 3-0-1 with a closely fought victory over debuting Owen James. After four sensation rounds Referee Lee Murtagh scored the contest 39-38.
Chesterfield Super Middleweight Luke White endured a baptism of fire on his pro debut against Chessington, Surrey hard man Richard Harrison. White securing his first win as a pro by a 40-37 points victory.
Worksop’s Ben Gore made a surprise appearance, following debuting Jayden Harris pulling out the day before, and faced Belfast’s Marty Kayes. Clearly was worthwhile stepping up to the plate for Gore as Referee Adrian Thorne scored the contest in his favour 40-37.
Boxing fans will not have to wait long to watch these young warriors in action again, as Boyle’s Pro Boxing has another event planned at the Shirebrook Leisure Centre in Mansfield on the 26th March 2022, and as with Sunday’s event will be broadcast exclusively live on FITE, in association with KC Sofas, and word is Chris Boyle is contemplating Hollie Towl making her first defence of her WIBA Featherweight World title – watch this space!
This Sunday, the 13th February, Westfield, Sheffield’s Hollie Towl will step up a division and challenge Marche, Italy’s unbeaten Nadia Flalhi for the Professional Boxing Council (PBC) Super Featherweight European title, in association with KC Sofas and broadcast globally exclusively live on FITE.
Towl, at just 18 years of age is already the youngest reigning World Champion, of either gender, having secured the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) Featherweight World Crown with a victory over Argentina’s Cristina Del Valle Pacheco back in September 2021, now has her eyes firmly set on becoming the youngest two division World Champion and this weekend’s challenge against Flalhi, for the European crown, is the first step for the exceptionally talented young star in achieving her dream.
The lucky fans that have secured tickets for the SOLD OUT event, that takes place in Worksop, Nottinghamshire in the UK, will be treated to an afternoon of action, as besides the Towl Vs Flalhi European Title fight, there will be five further contests featuring local talent.
Heading up the support card is reigning WIBA International and PBC Commonwealth Middleweight Champion Eleanor Coulson, who faces Londoner Aimee Moody in a six round non-championship contest.
Fellow Middleweight Cameron Moran will be looking to take his record to 2-0-0, when he faces Zahir Bennett, and exciting unbeaten Cruiserweight prospect Alvis Berzins faces a late replacement in Owen James.
Debuting Super Middleweight Luke Wight is set for a baptism of fire when he faces the highly experienced battler Richard Harrison and last but not least fellow pro debutee Jayden Harris is sure to have an action packed maiden outing as he is set to go toe-to-toe with Belfast’s Marty Kayes.
Hollie Towl versus Nadia Flalhi for the PBC European Super Featherweight Championship headlines the Boyle’s Pro Boxing promoted Valentine’s Massacre event, in association with KC Sofas and broadcast globally exclusively live on FITE from 1:30pm (GMT) on Sunday 13th February 2022.
To book your personal ringside seat go to www.fite.tv
On Saturday, October 23, 19-year-old flyweight prospect Gabriela “Sweet Poison” Fundora (4-0, 2 KO) will return for a six-round flyweight battle on LC Promotions’ “Round x Round” event at the Salón de Usos Múltiples 3 Coronas in Los Reyes, Estado de México, against tough veteran Alejandra “Tintanita” Soto (7-6-1, 3 KO).
Fighting for the fifth fight already this year, the skillful 5′ 9″ southpaw from Coachella, California, says winning her last two by KO was not a coincidence.
“I’ve turned my power up a notch,” admits Fundora during a break in training. “It happened so naturally. My first two pro fights, it was like dipping my toe in the shallow end. As soon as I had my third fight, I got used to the rhythm and since then it’s been time to sit down on my punches and show them what we’ve really got.”
While Fundora says she doesn’t often study specific opponents, she’s looking forward to getting back in the ring against Soto.
“I don’t know much about her, but we train hard to prepare for any style. We you know what you bring to the ring, you don’t worry about who you’re facing. The more I fight, the more chances I get to go over what I’m doing wrong during fights and fix it for the next one. I’m improving very quickly fighting every month and I’m in top shape.”
From a fighting family that also includes top super welterweight contender Sebastian “Towering Inferno” Fundora, the former amateur standout Gabriela says she’s seeing big improvements working, as she always has, with her father/trainer, Freddy, at his growing gym in Coachella.
“We’ve been training like this since I was small. It’s nothing new. We wake up at 6 am and run about six miles. Then, around 5 pm, we do strength and conditioning and then we get into the boxing. My speed and power are improving,” she said happily. “I recorded myself doing mitt work I didn’t realize how fast and hard I was punching until I watched the video.”
Set to have her third consecutive fight in Mexico, Fundora says she’s been very happy with the reception from Mexican fans.
“The fans in Mexico have all been very kind,” said Fundora. “They treat me like one of their own. We decided to take some fights in Mexico so I would have the experience of going outside my comfort zone to fight and the people here are amazing. It’s been an amazing experience.”
Surprisingly Fundora says the plan is to fight up to two more times this year.
“We fight every month, so by the end of the year I hope to have six fights,” Fundora asserted. “I hope to be fighting for a regional belt by next year. It’s all going to be happening soon.”
“Gabriela Fundora, the Sweet Poison, will be a world champion very soon,” said her promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz. “She has settled into the professional style and now she is knocking everyone out. I’m looking forward to a very exciting year next year for Gabriela.”
Salita Promotions congratulates fighting superstar Claressa Shields for having the street she grew up on in Flint, Michigan, honorarily dedicated in her name by City of Flint Mayor Sheldon Neely. Last Sunday, Shields, 26, was presented the accolade, which turned Spencer Street into Claressa Shields Street, at her Joy Tabernacle Church, where Shields was a guest speaker.
Mayor Neely says he’s overjoyed to be able to bestow the honor on the city’s fighting legend and says the next steps are to determine if it will be a ceremonial name change or an official name change. Ceremonial would mean adding Shield’s name to the existing name and official would mean the removal of the existing street name and replacing it with Shield’s name.
“Claressa continues to make us all proud while exemplifying what it means to be a true champion,” said Mayor Neely. “She has accomplished so much, remains connected to this community and we just want to honor her. This street dedication is well-deserved.”
Shields (11-0, 2 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medal winner, three-division professional boxing champion, the first fighter, male or female, to unify championships in two divisions and the fastest boxer in history to win titles in three different weight divisions, says this award is especially touching for her.
“I could not be happier today y’all!” said Shields on Twitter. “I had a great time at church! So thankful to everyone who came out to worship with me today! I was surprised by the Mayor of Flint! The street I grew up on Spencer street is being named after me ‘Claressa Shields Street.’ My grandma would be so PROUD!!!! I delivered a great message today! I feel so special!!! I’m overjoyed.”
“This is a well-deserved honor for a woman and fighter who has done a lot to help and support her home city,” said Shields’ promoter, Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions. “She never stops working toward success in her career or as a public figure with an inspiring message. Salita Promotions is proud to represent her.”
Teen Sensation Hollie Towl Challenges For Championship Honours Sept 4th.
Towl versus Obisanya WIBA Youth World Championship showdown co-headlines Historic Professional Boxing Event in Brighton
Exactly one year to the day from her 2020 Professional Boxing Debut, former Five-Time, Three Division English Amateur National Champion Hollie Towl is set to compete for her first Pro Boxing Championship Accolade, when she faces Nigeria’s unbeaten 19 year old Abosede Obisanya for the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) Featherweight Youth World Title at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on Saturday 4th September 2021.
On September 4th Towl will officially become the United Kingdom’s youngest person to compete for professional boxing Championship honours, and should she be successful in her quest she will be in prime position to equal or even better the modern era’s current youngest World Champion Devin Haney’s incredible championship achievements.
Haney won the World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth World Championship, with a TKO victory over Mexico’s Maximino Toala in March 2017, when he was 18 years old, and then at the age of just 20 years, 11 months and six days went on to become the youngest person in modern times to win the full World title.
Co-Headlining the event, titled ‘Battles At The Beach’, is Towl’s equally talented Boyle’s XBox Gym mate 19 year old Eleanor Coulson, who faces a yet to be announced opponent for the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) Middleweight Youth World Championship.
Coulson was the reigning National Amateur Champion when she made her professional debut in September last year and, like Towl, is unbeaten in the professional ranks and is also on track to be eligible to compete for full World Championship honours before her twentieth birthday.
The stacked support card is headed by a further Championship battle, when Professional Boxing Council (PBC) International Super Flyweight Champion Nicola Hopewell goes toe to toe with Spain based Vanessa Taborda for the World Boxing League (WBL) European Super Flyweight Crown.
Unbeaten Lewis Mulberry is set to face Nicaragua’s Christian Narvaez in a four round contest, as a warm up ahead of his highly anticipated PBC British Title fight against Denny’s Kevin Traynor later in the year.
Former Amateur standouts Angelica Finch and Kirsty Biswas are set for their second pro outings, against Czech Republic’s Nicola Hubalkova and Serbia’s Marijana Dosovic respectively.
Rochester’s Jay Jackson has a tough fight on his hands when he faces Nicaragua’s Jose Aguilar in a four round Super Featherweight contest. Also facing tough South American opposition is Nottingham’s Martin Reffell, who is pitted against Frederick Castro.
Colchester’s Calvin Carruthers makes his fourth pro outing against Nottingham’s Garfield Mushore in a four round Super Featherweight contest.
Ashford, Kent’s Jack Way makes his pro debut against fellow debutant Tyler Smith in a four round Light Heavyweight contest, similarly pro debutants Connor Brazil and Callan Harley will face each other in a four round Welterweight contest.
Alvis Berzins makes his pro debut against Southend’s Dan Ballard in a four round Cruiserweight contest, also competing in the Cruiserweight division is Richard Herrick, against a yet to be announced opponent.
Towl versus Obisanya, for the WIBA Featherweight Youth World Championship and Coulson versus TBA for the WIBA Middleweight Youth World Championship co-headline the Sportanarium Events and Assassin Promotions & Management co-promoted BATTLES AT THE BEACH, in association with Visit Brighton, Scope Eyecare, KC Sofas, Hilton Brighton Metropole, Sportanarium Radio, Race Nation and Go Sports & Entertainment, that takes place at the Brighton Hilton Metropole on Saturday 4th September 2021.
