Tag Archives: women’s boxing

Two Exciting Events at Gleason’s Gym for Females and Masters – Sign up today

April 14-16,2016
Gleason’s Gym will host the sixth annual All Female Clinic and boxing show.
The cost of the Clinic is $369.00.
If you are interested please contact Bruce Silverglade at (718) 797-2872 or emailbruce@gleasonsgym.net.
The boxing show will be at Gleason’s Gym on April 16
6:00PM
$20.00 admission
All our bouts are sanctioned by USABoxingMetro. All boxers must have their boxing book with them in order to participate.

If you wish to compete, please contact our matchmaker Jieun Lee atmatchmaker@gleasonsgym.net. All matchmaking is done by email.

June 15-18, 2016
Gleason’s Gym will host the second annual Master’s International Championship Tournament
The cost of entry for this Tournament is $135.00.
If you are interested please contact Bruce Silverglade at (718) 797-2872 or email bruce@gleasonsgym.net.
Check in day Wednesday June 15 at Gleason’s Gym from
5:00AM to 10:00PM
Preliminary bouts Thursday and Friday June 16 and 17
Finals Saturday June 18
Spectators $25.00 admission
All our bouts are sanctioned by USABoxingMetro. All boxers must have their boxing book with them in order to participate.

August 1114, 2016

Gleason’s Gym will host the fourteenth annual Fantasy Boxing Camp at Honor’s Haven Resort and Spa.
The cost starts at $1799.00
All Female Show

 

 

All Female Show
Bruce with Female Fighters

 

Holt McCallany & Marcel Hutte
Master’s Clinic
Master Clinic

Amanda Serrano Sends an Ultimatum to All World Champions in her Division

New York – Two-time world champion,  Amanda ‘The Real Deal’ Serrano from Carolina, Puerto Rico, but now living in Brooklyn, will be fighting on February 17 in Manhatthan for the vacant WBO World female featherweight title against former world champion, Olivia Gerula of Canada.
The ambitious Puerto Rican lefty wants to become the undisputed world champion in the featherweight division, and has a message to the current title holders.
“Right now, I’m only focused on Olivia, but at the same time I’m very confident about bringing that belt to Brooklyn and Puerto Rico on February 17,” said Amanda Serrano, who is promoted by DiBella Entertainment.
“Once I get that beatiful belt, we will be looking to unify. There is Jennifer Han, who is the IBF world champion, Soledad Matthysse is the WBC and WBA champion, and she is fighting Jelena Mrdjenovich. I want the winner!”
“Unifying all four featherweight titles is the only thing we care about. If we fail to make that happen, I will go down to 122 to fight for another world title, and become a four division legitimate world champion just like Miguel Cotto”.
Serrano (26-1-1, 19 KO) vs. Gerula (17-15-2, 3KO) showdown will take place at the famed B.B. King Blues Club and Grill marking the first world title fight in the club’s history.
On August 15, 2014, Serrano traveled to Argentina to face WBO Lightweight World Champion Maria ‘Tily’ Maderna, who at that time, had three successful title defenses, but could not handle the aggressiveness of the Puerto Rican power puncher, and decided to give up in the sixth round.
Serrano’s first title reign came in September 2011, when she knocked out Kimberly Connor in the first round to become the IBF World Champion at the super featherweight division in a bout held in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Brawl to air on Tuff TV, This Sunday, January 17th at 10 PM ET / PT

     
You Can Stick To This Resolution–Watch “Brooklyn Brawl” on Tuff TV!
For Immediate Release
Brooklyn, NY (January 13, 2016)-The New Year is here and resolutions are being crafted as we speak. Lose that stubborn five pounds…stop using curse words so much..eat more broccoli. And we have one more to add to the list..and we at Salita Promotions guarantee you can stick with this resolution.

Here it is: make a promise to yourself to watch the latest episode of

“Brooklyn Brawl,” on Jan. 17, at 10 PM.

The rock ’em sock ’em action will screen in prime-time on Tuff TV, America’s first digital broadcast network to offer original programming targeted at men and the specific pursuits, interests, and hobbies they are passionate about.

Viewers will enjoy watching Guinness Book of World Records entrant Alicia Ashley show that age is nothing but a number, as she skillfully battles for the WBC super bantamweight championship, against the rugged Irishwoman Christina McMahon. Ashley has now surpassed Bernard Hopkins as the boxer who most deftly has fended off the ravages of Father Time. She’s 48, and great.

Also, tune in to Tuff and see the US debut of skilled bantamweight contender Nikolay Potapov, a Russian scrapper who is on the cusp of receiving a title shot.

NYC-area and increasingly, nationwide fight fans have come to expect solid matchups featuring contenders, rising stars and talented up ‘n comers showing their stuff on “Brooklyn Brawl” promotions. The TV broadcast features the work of NYFights.com publisher and editor Michael Woods, formerly of ESPN Magazine. He called the blow by blow action with analyst Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, the heavyweight prospect now in the mix as one of the top American heavyweights in the game today.

Brooklyn Brawl will premiere Sunday, January 17th at 10:00 PM Eastern and Pacific. It will also air on Sunday, January 24th and Sunday, January 31st at the same time. The show was produced by Harry Cicma Production LLC

“We are pleased to offer our product to Tuff TV, which reaches more then 40 million TV households in the United States and Puerto Rico, and has a network of 45 broadcast affiliates in 42 television markets,” said Salita Promotions head Dmitriy Salita. “Fans in LA, Chicago, Philly, Atlanta, and on and on will be pleased with the card. We look for 2016 to be another step in the right direction for our company and our fighters, who are frequently being featured on premium cable and broadcast television. Junior middleweight Steven Martinez made us proud with his recent knockout win over Jorge Melendez. Big Baby Miller, Bakhtiyer Eubov will be on Showtime January 22, and their fan base is growing in a big way. I wish all fight fans a happy new year, and ask you to log on to our website to get updates on our fights and fighters!”

Hillyard, Marston & Khan World Title Battles Co-Headline 6thDec London Event

London promoter Mark Lyons has joined forces with Championship campaigning Marianne Marston to co-promote a huge pre-Christmas event, aptly named LET BATTLE COMMENCE, at the York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Sunday, the  6th of December.

 

Heading up the fifteen-bout card are no less than three World Championship battles;

 

Bradford’s Tasif Khan makes his first foray onto the World stage, when he challenges Ghana’s Isaac Quaye for the World Boxing Union Super Flyweight Championship.

 

Reigning World Boxing Union Super Middleweight International Champion, Nazeing, Essex’s George ‘Hithard’ Hillyard aims to add the vacant WBU World crown to his collection, when he faces a yet to be named opponent.

 

Finally British #1 and reigning MBC International Super Bantamweight Champion Marianne Marston will go toe to toe with Hungary’s Csilla Nemedi in a four, WBU, WBF, WIBA & WIBC, Bantamweight World title unification bout.

 

Also on the Championship trail on this historic event will be a number of fast rising young stars.

 

Former Team GB star Iain ‘The Blessed One’ Weaver gets his first taste of professional Championship boxing, when he challenges a yet to be named opponent for the International Masters Super Featherweight title.

 

Bardney, Lincolnshire’s unbeaten prospect, Nathan ‘Nightmare’ Decastro also will be fighting for an International Masters Championship, albeit at Middleweight.

 

The final Championship bout will see reigning MBC International Welterweight Champion, Hackney’s Siar Ozgul, challenge for another International Crown, this time at Super Welterweight.

 

Supporting the six Championship bouts are nine bouts featuring the cream of local talent, including another reigning Champion, WBF Super Bantamweight Intercontinental supremo Paul Economides in a non-championship six rounder.

 

Joining Paul on the undercard is another well known Champ, former British and Commonwealth King, Michael Aldiss, who made his most welcome return to the ring back in October.

 

Another hugely popular recent returnee to the hallowed square ring, Super Middleweight Manzo Smith will also be in action, as will Rockin’ Robin Deakin, who will be seeking to add another win to his card, following his victory over Deniss Kornilovs back in August.

 

Unbeaten, big punching Cruiserweight prospect Daniel Mendez will be looking to add a third scalp to his belt on the night, as Adam Taylor seeks to get his career back on track when he faces off against a yet to be named opponent.

 

Back in August Marianne Marston, Shaunagh Brown and Sam Smith made history when they all fought on the same event at York Hall, as that was the first time that three female bouts took place on a pro event in the UK, well on the 6th December that record will get broken, as joining Marianne on the card will be former Big Brother star and multi title challenger Angel ‘The Entertainer’ McKenzie, British Masters Super Flyweight Champion and World Championship challenger Juliette Winter and making her most welcome return to the sport Jamie Johnson.

 

In addition to the top class boxing fayre, the event will also feature the first live performance by local singing star Stephan Dante, who will be performing her viral smash ‘Nails Did’, as well as further tracks from her soon to be released debut album.

 

To cram all this action in the doors will open at 2:30pm, with the first bout starting at 3pm.

 

Tasif Khan vs Isaac Quaye, Marianne Marston vs Csilla Nemedi and George Hillyard vs TBA World Title bouts co-headline the Monarch Communications, BoxFit UK, 3X Sports and Sulnox Eco Systems PLC sponsored Mark Lyons and Marianne Marston co-promoted LET BATTLE COMMENCE event at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Sunday 6th December 2015.

 

This event is sanctioned courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) www.maltaboxingcommission.com

 

Tickets, priced £35 (standard seated) and £65 (Ringside) are available from any of the boxers taking part, on-line atwww.letbattlecommence.com and www.mariannemarston.com or call 07960 850645

www.facebook.com/letbattlecommenceinlondon

Twitter: @LondonBattle

#LetBattleCommence

Guinness World Record- WBC world title on line at Brooklyn Brawl October 29th 

48 AND STILL GREAT; GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER AND PHYSICAL MARVEL ALICIA ASHLEY GLOVES UP THURSDAY

ASHLEY TOPS LOADED FIGHT CARD AT AVIATOR IN BROOKLYN

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Oct. 28, 2015) – She is a dean at the Bernard Hopkins School of Pugilism.
Alicia Ashley, 48 years old, will attempt to win a world title, the WBC world female super bantamweight crown, on Thursday evening in Brooklyn, and if she is successful, she will be honored with another incredible addition to her resume. She will gain another entry into the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest female to win a world title, setting an even higher bar with her incredible longevity and durability.
The attempt will take place on another “Brooklyn Brawl” card promoted by Dmitriy Salita, and Ashley will be paired off with Christina McMahon, on a slate running at the Aviator complex in south Brooklyn.
 Ashley sports a 22-10-1 (4 KOs) record, and shared some of what makes her tick, and continue to persevere past a point where even the sturdiest pugilists hang up the mitts.

“I feel I’ve had an illustrious career in boxing that sadly is not reflected monetarily,” Ashley said. “I’m a four time world champion and have been in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest female boxing champion. I’ve fought all over the world and have garnered respect wherever and whenever I fight. For me, boxing is a performance and I always do my best to entertain.”

Salita said that he expects she will do just that. “We are honored to have such a superior athlete and role model topping this fine card,” he said. “Alicia is someone men, women and children can look up to, someone who has so many great qualities, as an athlete and a person.”

Ashley fights for love of craft, and works on her skills after putting in a days work. “My main job is a personal and boxing trainer at Gleason’s Gym,” she continued. “I live in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn with my husband Matthieu, who I met at the gym six years ago.”

And what she does she think of the lady who will try and take her down a peg Thursday night?

“Christina McMahon is an undefeated fighter who has gone in someone else’s back yard and won a title. She will be a formidable opponent who will come to fight and that is perfect for my slick style. I’m a long distance fighter and predict that I will come away with a unanimous decision win.”

Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 6:30 p.m., as the Brooklyn Brawl looks to once again captivate New York City with fistic fury. Tickets begin at $20 and are available by calling 1-844-890-2120 or by visiting SalitaPromotions.com.

Myekeni Withdraws From World Unification Battle With Marston Due to Injury.

Mdantsane, South Africa’s Unathi Myekeni has been forced to withdraw from the World Bantamweight WBU, WBFed, WIBA & WIBC World Championship Unification contest, against London, England’s Marianne Marston, which was due to take place at York Hall in London, on Sunday 6th December.

 

World Boxing Federation President Howard Goldberg broke the news, to Marston’s team earlier today, that Myekeni suffered a serious hand injury in training that would prevent her competing on December 6th.

Mr. Goldberg also proposed a possible replacement, reigningFECOMBOX Mexican National Champion Jessica Arreguin Munoz, from Agua Prieta, Mexico, whose record stands at nine wins and just the single loss.

Shortly after hearing the news Marston spoke briefly on the situation and the possibility of boxing Munoz.

 

“My first thoughts were, oh no here we go again.

 

I can’t believe it I think I’ve only ever had one fight when I fought the girl we had originally planned, my last fight has to be the worse though, nine pullouts before finally fighting Jekaterina Lecko on the night.

 

I feel sorry for Unathi, but can’t deny I am also very disappointed as now we have to have a new opponent.

 

We had everything sorted for the camp based on Unathi and her fight style, but now we may need to rethink the sparring partners, especially if it is Jessica Munoz I’ll be fighting as she’s a southpaw like myself.

 

I already know about Jessica, I’d seen her title fight against Lesly Morales, she’s a typical Mexican fighter, as tough as they come and likes to stand right there in front of you and have a proper slugfest.

 

Have to say if it is Jessica the British fans will be on the feet from start to finish as it will be an all out and very bloody war and that suits me just fine, as when I was being trained by Joe (late, great Heavyweight World Champion Smokin’ Joe Frazier) and Marvis (Marvis Frazier) in Philly, that’s the way they taught me to fight.

 

My style may have changed considerably since I’ve been back in England, but believe me I am still more than happy and more importantly more than capable to have a good old fashioned toe-to-toe slugfest when needs be, believe me I don’t care I’ll do whatever I need to do to win those titles.

 

Now we have to see if Ryan (WIBA President Ryan Wissow) and Don (WBU & WIBC President Don Lewis) will accept Jessica as the replacement for Unathi, otherwise it’s back to the drawing board.

 

I’d like to say a huge thank you to my sponsors, Monarch Communications, Optimax, Boxfit UK and 3X Sports for being so understanding of the situation as well as their continuing to be so supportive of me and this World significant event.”

 

Marianne Marston, against a yet to be named opponent for the unified WBU, WBFed, WIBA and WIBC World Bantamweight Championships co-headline the Mark Lyons and Marianne Marston co-promoted LET BATTLE COMMENCE event at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Sunday 6th December 2015.

 

This event is sanctioned courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) www.maltaboxingcommission.com

 

Tickets, priced £35 (standard seated) and £65 (Ringside) are available from any of the boxers taking part, on-line atwww.letbattlecommence.com and www.mariannemarston.com or call 07960 850645

 

Please show your support and follow Marianne Marston on Twitter @MarianneMarston or on Facebook as well as the Let Battle Commence event on Twitter @LondonBattle or on Facebook.

Female World Unification Bout Co-Headlines Dec 6th London Event

 

 

London, England’s Marianne Marston is set for the toughest fight of her career to date, when she squares off against Mdantsane, South Africa’s Unathi Myekeni in a World Bantamweight Unification contest, at York Hall in London, on Sunday 6th December.

 

British #1, Marston was hoping to challenge interim WBC Bantamweight Champion Christina Mc Mahon for her title this October, however Mc Mahon was offered the opportunity to challenge Alicia Ashley for the WBC Super Bantamweight crown in New York on the 29th October, a golden opportunity the talented Irishwoman just couldn’t turn down.

 

With no championship bout on the immediate horizon Marston had decided to take on a non-championship bout at York Hall on October 23rd, then earlier this month she was offered the opportunity to challenge Myekeni in South Africa early in 2016, by World Boxing Federation President Howard Goldberg.

 

Some slick negotiations by Marston’s team and London promoter Mark Lyons, along with support from her sponsors Monarch Communications, BoxFit UK, Optimax and 3X Sports, the contest was bought forward to December and moved to London.

 

Marston, who secured the MBC International title, as well as the World #24 ranking, in October last year with a shut out points win over Marianna Gulyas, to line her up for the shot at a World title, however since that win Marston has only fought the once, beating Riga, Latvia’s Jekaterina Lecko by second round stoppage back in August.

 

Her opponent on the 6th December, Unathi Myekeni, is far more experienced, both competition wise, as well as Championship wise, and has previously held both the World Boxing Federation and World Boxing Foundation International titles as well as the World Boxing Federation Super Bantamweight World Crown.

 

In her last contest, Myekeni fought and lost by majority decision to fellow South African Gabisile Tshabalala for the WBFed Super Bantamweight title.

 

Speaking earlier Marston spoke briefly about the upcoming fight,

 

“I cannot begin to express how pleased I am to still get to fight for a World title this year and the fact it will be a unification of four titles makes it even more special.

 

When Christina told us she has the opportunity to fight in America for the WBC full title and as such our fight wouldn’t go ahead this year, I was really disappointed.

 

Don’t get me wrong I’m pleased for Christina, but from day one of the discussions with her management we had been preparing for that fight, everything we had been working on was to fight her, we even tried to get an opponent that was similar in style to her for the August fight, but so it goes.

 

Unfortunately I haven’t seen any of Unathi’s fights so don’t know too much about her, hopefully we’ll have some video of her title fights this week and then we can start looking for suitable sparring partners and really get the camp started.

 

I can’t thank Howard (Goldberg) enough for giving me this opportunity, as well as Ryan (WIBA President Ryan Wissow) and Don (WBU & WIBC President Don Lewis) for their allowing me to fight for their titles too, as well as Mark (Promoter Mark Lyons) and my wonderful sponsors Monarch Communications, Optimax, Boxfit UK and 3X Sports for them being right behind me and giving me the opportunity of participate in this historic unification bout, what’s more right here in London.

 

I also have to thank my wonderful fans, they really are fantastic, so supportive and very, very noisy, hopefully we’ll have a full house at York Hall on December 6th, if we do they’ll raise the roof when I fight, that’s for sure.”

 

Marianne Marston vs Unathi Myekeni for the unified WBU, WBFed, WIBA and WIBC World Bantamweight Championships co-headline the Mark Lyons and Marianne Marston co-promoted LET BATTLE COMMENCE event at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Sunday 6th December 2015.

 

This event is sanctioned courtesy of the Malta Boxing Commission (MBC) www.maltaboxingcommission.com

 

Tickets, priced £35 (standard seated) and £65 (Ringside) are available from any of the boxers taking part, on-line atwww.letbattlecommence.com and www.mariannemarston.com or call 07960 850645

  WBC WORLD TITLE FIGHT FEATURING BROOKLYN’S ALICIA “SLICK” ASHLEY SET FOR OCT. 29 AT BROOKLYN BRAWL

48-year-old Ashley looks to extend Guinness World Record by knocking off undefeated Christina McMahon of Ireland.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Oct. 7, 2015) – ATTENTION GUINNESS! The Book of World Records may need to be updated after the Thursday, Oct. 29 Brooklyn Brawl card at the Aviator Sports Complex. Boxing champion-turned-promoter Dmitriy Salita announced on Wednesday that an already-outstanding card is adding a female world title fight with possible historic implications.

Brooklyn’s own Alicia “Slick” Ashley, who will be 48 years, 81 days when the bell rings later this month, is a former world titleholder who currently owns the Guinness World Record as the most mature female boxing world champion. She first earned the distinction on Oct. 13, 2013, when she defended the WBC Super Bantamweight belt with a victory over Zenny Sotomayer in Tijuana, Mexico, at 46 years, 61 days, thus etching her place in the renowned global archive.

Ashley (22-10-1, 4 KOs) – ranked second in her division by BoxRec and noted as one of the best pound-for-pound women’s battlers in the world – has the chance to re-write history once again and put her own world record further out of reach when she challenges undefeated Irish fighter and current Interim WBC Bantamweight champion Christina McMahon (7-0, 3 KOs). McMahon has compiled an unblemished slate since beginning her professional career in 2010 and will look to halt Ashley’s attempt at extending her Guinness mark on Thursday, Oct. 29 – the winner takes home the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight title.

“This will be another, epic Brooklyn Brawl show with a WBC world title fight featured at the event. This show will have prospects and contenders, and fighters from all parts of the globe and from all around New York City,” said Salita, the former IBF, WBA and NABA International Junior Welterweight Champion who fights out of Flatbush, Brooklyn, as a professional. “Alicia is one of the most highly-regarded boxers in the world and is looking to follow in the footsteps of future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins by re-capturing a title at this point in her career. Her great skills will certainly be put to the test against an undefeated contender in Christina McMahon.”

On Thursday, Oct. 29, the Aviator Sports and Events Center in South Brooklyn will serve as the next proving ground for many New York City-based rising stars. The exciting undercards will build toward the featured events, where Ashley and McMahon will square off and unbeaten Russian and top-10 world-ranked bantamweight contender, Nikolay Potapov, is set to make his U.S.A. debut.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first bout scheduled for 6:30 p.m., as the Brooklyn Brawl looks to once again captivate New York City with fistic fury. Tickets begin at $20 and are available by calling 1-844-890-2120 or by visiting SalitaPromotions.com.

Potapov – currently ranked as the No. 14 bantamweight in the world by the WBO and now rated No. 10 globally by BoxRec – will put his undefeated 13-0 record (6 KOs) on the line as he makes his debut on U.S. soil. The fast-rising battler piled up more than 180 amateur tilts and amassed a number of national and international tournament victories, and now as a 25-year-old pro has climbed quickly to challenge himself with four 10-round bouts and a 12-rounder against top competition. In his last pro victory, Popatov earned the WBA Asian title by beating Jason Canoy, who is rated No. 14 in the WBC and No. 12 in the IBF.

Welterweight prospect “Trigger” Tresean Wiggins (7-1, 6 KOs) – fresh off a third-round knockout at the Aug. 25 Brooklyn Brawl: Boxing At The Beach affair – will be back on the Aviator card. The fighting pride of Newburgh, N.Y., was impressive last month against Baltimore’s Kevin Womack Jr. and looks to add another stoppage victory to his burgeoning resume.

Undefeated junior lightweight contender Dimash Niyazov of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, will have his mettle tested once again at the Aviator complex. The Brooklyn police officer, whose story was chronicled by the Wall Street Journal in August, improved to 8-0-3 (5 KOs) with a six-round Boxing At The Beach unanimous decision over local fighter Ariel “Fuego” Duran in a Brooklyn-Queens crosstown rivalry bout.

Detroit’s James Gordon Smith (8-0, 5 KOs) is another rising star putting his unblemished record to the test in Brooklyn. The eight-time Motor City Golden Gloves title-winner and former national amateur champion is intent on making a name for himself in the pro ranks.

A light welterweight and Olympian making his professional debut, Serdar Hudayberdiyev comes to the Brooklyn Brawl after an accomplished international amateur career. The pride of his native Turkmenistan on the West Coast of the Caspian Sea, he captured gold in the Asian games and was selected his country’s flag bearer in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Heavyweight Emilio Salas (3-1-1, 1 KO) of Puerto Rico – who opened up the Boxing At The Beach slate with a second round TKO at the expense of opponent Glenn Thomas – will add some thunder to the Oct. 29 card while welterweight Giorgi “Goga” Gelashvili (2-0, 2 KOs) of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, will provide the lightning. Gelashvili, a former three-time Georgian national champion, overwhelmed opponent DeLoren Gray-Jordon last August with a speedy salvo of blows in round two, leading to his second stoppage victory in as many fights and as many months.

A product of Corona, Queens, Edward Valdez was recently added to the upcoming Brooklyn Brawl slate. A veteran at 13-11-2 (10 KOs), Valdez will face Aik Shakhnazaryan (16-2, 7 KOs) of Samara, Russia, in an eight-round lightweight contest.

Broadcast information will be announced at a later date. Interested corporate partners should contact Mark Fratto at mfratto@linacremedia.com.

For ticket information and updates on the Thursday, Oct. 29, Brooklyn Brawl please log on to SalitaPromotions.com and AviatorSports.com. Follow all the action via social media leading up to the event – and on fight night – at @BrooklynBrawlNY on Twitter and Instagram, or by accessing the hashtag #BrooklynBrawl.
For more information visit SalitaPromotions.com
For More Information on Salita Promotions and media credential requests: Contact:

Let’s Hear It For The Girls – Marston, Smith & Ball Celebrate Historic Victories

On Saturday night, London promoters Mark Lyons and Billy James-Elliott presented the first British event to feature three female professional boxing bouts, however to achieve this historic first for Women’s Boxing, the pioneering duo, whose event was sanctioned by the Malta Boxing Commission, had to overcame an unbelievable level of interference, from another boxing organization and their fellow EBU members.

 

Rather than dwell on the politics, everyone involved in the staging of this historic event should be congratulated, none more so than the female boxers that took part.

 

Former Team GB athlete (Shot Putt, Hammer Throw and Discus), Peckham’s Shaunagh Brown made her professional debut against fellow debutant Ireland’s Xena Ball.

 

Brown had a major disadvantage, she’s the sole Female boxer worldwide that competes in the Cruiserweight division, by having to fight in the Heavyweight division against an opponent some fifty pounds heavier than herself.

 

That aside the bout was a cracker, the plucky Londoner didn’t appear to be fazed at all about the weight discrepancy, in fact early on it was her taking the fight to Ireland’s Ball.

 

Ball, a classy young boxer with excellent ringcraft was as savvy as they come, content to let the Londoner come forward, before stepping forward with very, very quick double handed flurries to force Brown back towards the ropes throughout the bout.

 

Brown was struggling with the size difference between her and her opponent, unable to push Ball off relied on her excellent boxing skills to box her way out of danger.

 

After four rounds of virtual non-stop action, referee Lee Murtagh scored the bout in favour of Ireland’s Xena Ball 40-36, the correct verdict without doubt, but really doesn’t reflect the quality of Brown’s excellent against the odds performance.

 

Unbeaten Lightweight Sam Smith from Leeds, Yorkshire was next in action, who after no less than seven changes of opponents in the lead up to fight night, faced a debuting Alina Lisova from Riga in Latvia.

 

Smith, who in her previous bout beat championship experienced Zsofia Bedo to secure the International Masters Lightweight title, literally outclassed Lisova, tearing the debuting Latvian girl apart and stopping her in just one minute and ten seconds of the first round.

 

The final female bout of the night see Woolwich, London’s British #1 ranked (Both Super Bantamweight and Pound-For-Pound) and reigning MBC International Super Bantamweight Champion Marianne Marston, in a non-championship six rounder.

 

As with Sam Smith, Marianne had many changes of opponent, nine in her case pulled out, in the build up and eventually faced Riga, Latvia’s Jekaterina Lecko, who in June fought Germany’s Alice Melina Kummer for the German Lightweight title.

 

Lecko paraded down the catwalk like she was a model, whilst Marston, an actual former model, made her entrance very much in fight mode, smashing her gloves together as acknowledgment to the cheers of support from the huge female contingent in attendance.

 

The difference between the two was even more noticeable when Marianne removed her sponsor laden T-Shirt to show her seriously ripped physique.

 

Marston went straight on the offensive, forcing Lecko to rely on throwing out her jab in a vein effort to prevent the Londoner getting within range, Marston not only got in range but once there she began giving the Latvian a boxing lesson she’s unlikely to forget in a while.

 

Changing tactics Lecko resorted to running away as such, however Marston’s ringcraft is of such a level that she was able to close down and cut off any escape route, before backing the Latvian on to the ropes with a vicious double handed attack, the result was devastating for Lecko who was sent to the canvas with just five seconds remaining of the first round.

 

Marston started the second in similar vein to the first, taking the fight to Lecko, who now began throwing huge right hands in an attempt to keep Marston at bay.

 

With this tactic failing, due to Marston’s superior movement, Lecko reverted to going walk about, which suited the Londoner, who once again was able to cut off the ring and corral the Latvian against the ropes and begin another double handed assault, all Lecko could do was cover up and hope that Marston would punch herself out, she didn’t and after what seemed an age, it wasn’t but it seemed that way, referee Ken Curtis stepped in and waved off the bout to save Lecko from a guaranteed knockout, on the one minute and fifty second mark of the second round.

 

Following the event Promoter Mark Lyons spoke briefly about the three Women’s bouts.

 

“Firstly I would like to thank all the boxers that took part intonight’s show and I mean all of them, OK I accept that some of the opponents were not close to the level of our boxers, but that was not any of the fighters fault.

 

I can’t thank Xena, Jekaterina and Alina enough for saving the female bouts, these girls all stepped in at the last minute after a ridiculous number of pulls outs due to threats from another organisation.

 

That aside these girls came and saved the show and we did manage to make history, we are the first to have three female bouts on a UK pro boxing event.

 

Personally I think Shaunagh’s fight against Xena was the stand out bout, not just because it went the distance but because it was a fantastic fight, even though it had to be fought at Heavyweight as there are no other Cruiserweights in the world.

 

I felt sorry for Sam, Alina was way too inexperienced for someone of her skills, the same with Jekaterina, she just wasn’t close to the class of fighter Marianne should be fighting.

 

The real difference is our girls really are professionals in every way, they prepare for competition in exactly the same way as the male boxers.

 

Look at Marianne, I doubt there are many male boxers that have such a honed body, that girl has an eight pack, she trains every single day and spars some seriously talented male boxers to prepare and it shows.

 

I am proud to have these girls fight on our events and can’t wait for the next, their support was fantastic, never have I seen so many female spectators at a boxing match before.

 

Roll on October 23rd I promise there will be more female bouts on that show too.”

Baltimore Boxing to host Olympic Qualifiers September 8-11!

Baltimore, MD (August 20, 2015) – Jake Smith’s Baltimore Boxing Promotions in association with USA Boxing and Under Armor will host the Eastern Regional Olympic Trials Women’s Qualifiers September 8-11 at the beautiful Baltimore Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, MD.
Dubbed as “Pathway to Glory”, the event will feature hundreds of women from various states vying to get one step closer to their dream of representing the United States during the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Local notables include Baltimore’s very own Franchon Crews and Red Lion PA’s Brittany Inkrote.
The opening rounds of “Pathway to Glory” take place on 8th and 9th, with the semi finals and finals slated for the Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th respectively. Doors open at 6:30 and the first fight begins at 8:15 pm sharp all four days. Complementary tickets for the opening rounds are available on Baltimoreboxing.com. Individual tickets for the semi finals starting at $15 and finals from $25 can also be purchased at Baltimoreboxing.com or by calling 410-375-9175. VIP tables, including complementary hors dourves and the best seats in the house, are available for the finals from $350. The Baltimore Harbor Hotel is located at 101 W Fayette St.
As part of this special multi-day event, Baltimore Boxing is proudly teaming up to help multiple organizations raise funds and awareness for their cause.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, The House of Ruth will be recognized by Baltimore Boxing in association with the Olympic Qualifiers. One of the nation’s leading intimate partner violence centers, The House of Ruth helps thousands of battered women and children find safety and security. Thursday’s organization of honor is the American Breast Cancer Foundation. Established in 1997, the American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) provides financial assistance for breast cancer screening and diagnostic tests for uninsured or underprivileged individuals. In October 2011, Baltimore Boxing donated a percentage of their proceeds from a fight card to the ABCF. Friday evening’s group will be the South Atlantic Amateur Boxing Association, which oversees all amateur boxing in the state of Maryland.
This is the most excited I’ve ever been for a boxing event and I’ve been around the sport most of my life,” said Smith, a former prizefighter who has promoted hundreds of shows in addition to training boxers at the Baltimore Boxing Club. “These four days will be memorable for the State of Maryland and City of Baltimore. Fans will not only have the opportunity to see four straight days of action but they may very well be watching the next Olympic gold medalist. If you’re in or near Baltimore, make sure to come out and see history!”
For more information, go to Baltimoreboxing.com or USABoxing.com.