Tag Archives: women’s boxing

boxing, women's boxing

CASEY “THE HAWAIIAN PUNCH” MORTON LOOKS TO CAPTURE WBO ASIA PACIFIC TITLE THIS SATURDAY IN CHINA

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA (December 11, 2018) – Undefeated female super flyweight Casey “Lady Hawaiian Punch” Morton (7-0-3 1KO), will be fighting for her second title as she faces Jutamas Jitpong (4-2 2KOs) for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Female Super Flyweight Title. The 10-round bout will take place this Saturday, December 8th, at the Yubei Sport Center in Yubei, China.


“I am excited to fight for my second WBO Asia Pacific Female title!” said Casey Morton. “I won the WBO Asia Pacific flyweight title earlier this year, so to get another title before the year over is a dream come true. I want to fight the best, I don’t want easy fights and I want to prove that I am a true champion.” 

“Casey Morton is an amazing boxer who packs a featherweight punch in a flyweight frame,” said manager Greg Hannley of Prince Ranch Boxing. “I don’t see many flyweights surviving all ten-rounds with her after she moved up in weight to super flyweight. She is a star and we are excited to work with her.”  

“I am super grateful for all of my opportunities but want to give all glory to God, as well as my team, including my manager Greg Hannley and everyone at SNAC System. I’m grateful to Victor Conte for the high-level training he provides and I will show my ability come fight night.”

boxing, women's boxing

Cyborg to Take Ring Walk with Shields This Saturday Night

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‘Baddest Ladies on the Planet’ are Friends and Training Partners

The two baddest ladies on the planet will be side-by-side Saturday night when UFC Superstar Champion Cris Cyborg walks 2x US Olympic gold medal winner and current WBC/WBA/IBF Middleweight Champion Claressa Shields into the ring for T-Rex’s fight versus 168-lb champion Femke Hermans Saturday night live on HBO from Stub Hub Center in Carson, CA.

Cyborg will be taking time out from preparation for her December 29 PPV battle with Amanda Nunes to join Shields and be ringside for the final HBO boxing telecast this Saturday. Shields and Cyborg have a great mutual respect and have trained together in the gym.  

“I’m excited to have Cris walk me out and carry my WBC championship belt on Saturday,” said WBC/WBA/IBF Champ Claressa Shields. “She’ll be supporting me on December 8 and I’ll be rooting big for her against Amanda Nunes on December 29. We are the two baddest ladies on the planet.”

“Both Claressa and Cyborg are leaders in their respective combat sports,” said Shields’ promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “Women’s empowerment will be on display on Saturday night on the historic final night of HBO Boxing.”

“In addition to being a celebration of forty-five years of HBO Boxing, Saturday night is a celebration of a new era of women’s boxing and women’s sports,” said Mark Taffet, manager of Claressa Shields and a twenty-five year former HBO Boxing executive. “Claressa Shields and Cris Cyborg are the backbone of the new era, and I’m thrilled Cris will be walking Claressa to the boxing ring on this historic night.”


amateur boxing, USA Boxing, women's boxing

CLARESSA SHIELDS INDUCTED INTO USA BOXING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME

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Paving the way for female boxers…..
Claressa Shields
 
“USA Boxing is family!”
 
 
USA Boxing Alumni Association, Class of 2018 Inductee
 
 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (December 3, 2018) – Two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields not only is spearheading a new wave in women’s boxing, she has developed into a true role model for countless youths.

 

 

 

Shields will be inducted into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame this Friday night in Salt Lake City, along with Class of 2018 members Roy Jones Jr. and, Andre Ward, as well as the late Emanuel Stewartand Tom Cleary.

 

 

 

The second annual USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception, held in conjunction with the 2018 USA Boxing Elite and Youth National Championships and Junior and Prep Open, December 2-8, will be held December 7, at the Radisson Hotel (215 S. Temple St.) in Salt Lake City, Utah.

 

 

 

“I feel honored,” Shields spoke about being inducted into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame,” I am only 23 years old and to be inducted into the USA Boxing Hall of Fame is a great honor, but also a shock to me. I believe I am worthy of any honor, but I know things take time, and I always thought I would put in the Hall of Fame at the age 40 or 50. This is a big deal to me and I feel so honored. Just to have my name mentioned alongside names of greats like Andre Ward and Roy Jones just really motivates me. I feel privileged!”

 

 

 

The pride of Flint, Michigan, Shields has already successfully parlayed her amateur success to the professional ranks, in which she is 7-0 (2), and the reigning unified (IBF, WBA & WBC) world middleweight champion.

 

 

 

Shields finished her amateur career with an incredible 77-1 (18 KOs) record, highlighted by her Olympic gold-medal-performances in 2012 and 2016. She hasn’t lost in the ring since 2012, when Savannah Marshall (England) won on points, 14-8, at the World Championships in China.

 

 

 

“USA Boxing came into my life as a two-time Junior Olympic champion,” Claressa explained her USA Boxing relationship. “The help from USA Boxing was so important: just noticing me as a young athlete and knowing I would be a strong young woman to represent the USA in the future; meeting Julie Goldsticker, who was a blessing for me as she helped me with a lot as a teenager, and just having Coach Abdullah, coach Al Mitchell, and coach Gloria Peek teach me different styles and how to use all my attributes. USA Boxing blessed me with a lot of knowledge and life-long friendships with all my Olympic teammates and Olympic coaches. My favorite coach, Kay Koroma, literally was with me the whole way through 2015-2016, helping me outside the ring with advice and inside the ring.”

 

 

 

Shields is one of the driving forces in women’s boxing today, carrying the torch handed off by American female boxing pioneers such as Christy Martin, Laila Ali and a few others.

 

 

 

“There is great change going on right now — me, Mikaela Mayer, Franchon Crews, Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano and a few other women are carrying the torch for women’s boxing right now,” Shields explained. “Progress has been fast, every network has had a women’s fight on television this year, especially Showtime, on which I have boxed the main event four times. Women’s boxing can go far. I believe the day will come when we can be paid millions just like men.”

 

 

 

By opening doors and breaking down obstacles, Claressa has become a true role model for youngsters all over, in and out of boxing.

 

 

 

“It feels good to be a role model for them (females), and also for so many male boxers,” Shields noted. “Boxing is in a different era and I just want to make it easier for girls coming up, so when they turn pro, boxing will be closer to equality.”

 

 

 

“Claressa has one of the greatest stories in the history of amateur boxing,” said Chris Cugliari, USA Boxing Alumni Association Executive Director. “Her drive, commitment, talent, and character made her a USA Boxing and Olympic champion, leaving a legacy that will last for a very long time.  She is a trailblazer for women’s boxing and has established her place as one of the most influential USA Boxing Alumni members of all time.  The USA Boxing Alumni Association wants to thank her for inspiring the amateur boxing community and serving as a great role model for the next generation of champions.”

 

 

 

 

USA Boxing Alumni Association

 

 

 

Created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, –boxers, officials, coaches and boxing fans — The Alumni Association connects generations of champions, inspiring and giving back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions, in and out of the ring.

 

 

 

The USA Boxing Alumni Association is open to anyone who has a love for boxing and would like to stay connected with amateur boxing. Members are granted access to a wide variety of special events host by the Alumni Association, including the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception.

 

 

 

To join the Alumni Association, simply register at alumni@usaboxing.org for a $40.00 per year membership fee. New members will receive a T-shirt, keychain and e-wallet.

 

 

 

 

Despite all the honors and accolades, she has so richly received, Shields hasn’t forgotten where it all started, and she’s still actively involved in USA Boxing.

 

 

 

“I keep in contact with a lot of the female athletes and give them advice if they ask me,” Claressa added. “I also went to Colorado for five days to be a motivator and keynote speaker for the Next Olympic Hopeful. After my career is over in about 15 years, I want to be a boxing trainer and lead the women’s team to more Olympic gold medals, if given the opportunity. I also want to be a school teacher and a counselor for youth.”

 

 

 

Shields, unfortunately, is unable to attend this Friday night’s Hall of Fame reception because she’s in deep training for her titles defense this Saturday evening on HBO, live from the StubHub Center in Carson, California, against Fenmke Hermans (9-1).

 

 

 

“Sadly,” Shields concluded, “I can’t be there but, if I was there, I would say: Thank you to USA Boxing for believing in me at the age of 16. It was an honor to represent America, not only once but two times in the Olympics! I thank Coach Billy (Walsh) for making me dig deep, by having to deal with his Irish ways and jokes, also for changing the culture of USA Boxing. A special thank you to coach Kay, also, I can’t count on my hands how many days we trained at 1 a.m., how many times I knocked on his room door and ran, how many times he has had to take my phone from me because I was crying or having a family problem. He is the coach I could tell everything to, and he also blessed me with his boxing knowledge and made me always feel secure in myself when he was in the corner. USA Boxing isn’t just staff – USA Boxing is family! Even though I’ve had a few words with Matthew Johnson and other staff, I thank them for being hard on me and making sure I handled my responsibilities. Love to all USA Boxing staff, I’m truly thankful.”

 

 

 

Claressa Shields is much more than world and Olympian champion, she’s a class act as well, exactly what’s so desperately needed today.

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

boxing, DAZN, women's boxing

Training Camp Almost Complete; A Confident and On-Weight Claressa Shields Ready for Hannah Rankin DAZN Showdown on November 17

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Women’s superstar and two-division world champion Claressa Shields is in Florida with trainer John David Jackson, finishing up preparations for her showdown with Glasgow, Scotland’s Hannahh Rankin on Saturday, November 17, at the Kansas Star Arena and Casino in Mulvane, Kansas.

 

 

 

Shields (6-0, 2 KOs) will defend her IBF and WBA World Middleweight Championships, and be looking to add the vacant WBC title, against Rankin (5-2, 1 KO) in the 10-round co-featured bout to Salita Promotions stablemate Jarrell Miller’s heavyweight showdown against Romania’s Bogdan Dinu.

 

 

 

Both fights, along with former world champion Brandon Rios taking on Canelo’s brother, Ramon Alvarez, in a super welterweight 10-rounder and former two-time world middleweight title challenger Gabriel Rosado going against once-beaten contender Luis Arias, will be broadcast live on DAZN.

 

 

 

23-year-old Shields, a former two-time Olympic Gold Medallist, has reignited interest in women’s boxing and become a ratings favorite for her nationally televised championship exploits. A proud native of Flint, Michigan, Shields mixes her brash pronouncements of greatness with a genuine and continued effort to inspire female athletes and render aid to members of her home community.

 

 

 

Shields was originally scheduled to face WBC and WBO World Middleweight Champion Christina Hammer on November 17, but the bout was postponed after Hammer withdrew due to medical reasons.

 

 

 

Did the change of opponents from Hammer to Rankin affect your training? 

 

 

 

I don’t train for my opponents, I just push to get the best out of me, physically and mentally. If I’m the best ‘me,’ I don’t have to worry about who the opponent is. The change of opponents didn’t bother me at all; the worst thing about this camp for me was just all the date changes – constantly having to get my mind focused on the pace and timing of training depending on the fight date. I can’t wait to get in the ring!

 

 

 

You’ve fought at super middleweight 168 and recently at middleweight 160 pounds. How is your training, diet and any other efforts different to make 160? 

 

 

 

Training is always hard and I’m constantly learning. I’ve had a completely different diet this camp – a real change and a positive one for me. I’ve teamed up with Perfecting Athletes for my daily meals, and I feel great. I’ve always tried to eat healthy but these folks are pros and are more educated in that field than myself. I have this magic drink that makes my stomach smile – I love it! It’s watermelon mixed with a green vegetable. I’m not going to tell you what vegetable it is, but I’ve been drinking it everyday, and I feel GREAT.

 

 

 

Your viewership numbers have been very strong. Why do you think people are drawn to you? 

 

 

 

I believe that people are drawn to how real and honest I am, both in and out of the ring. I say what I mean and mean what I say. I’m hard but I have a soft side also. And I think people are drawn to how I fight — not only do I talk a good game but I fight my a– off too! I give 1000% every time – I want to change the game and bring a whole new generation of fans to women’s boxing and boxing overall.

 

 

 

What do you know about your opponent Hannah Rankin? 

 

 

 

I know that my opponent Rankin is very tough and determined to be a world champion. I like her drive, I like her heart. I know that she has been in the ring as a sparring partner for many champions, one being Christina Hammer. So Rankin has seen some good fighters. But one thing is for sure – she has never seen a fighter like me. And since Hammer couldn’t fight because of her medical condition, in many ways the next best thing is to fight and beat her sparring partner and let Rankin tell Hammer what she’s in for when she returns!

 

 

 

What needs to be done to solve the Flint water crisis?

 

 

To solve the flint Water crisis, I think that people should continue to give water and also keep it in the news that there is a city in America where, unbelievably, US citizens don’t have clean water. And hopefully the president or our governor do something to fix all the pipes.

 

 

 

What’s the secret to becoming the best of the best in any sport? 

 

 

 

I believe the secret starts with believing in yourself, being dedicated, working hard and just always striving to be better. I feel I’m my biggest critic when I train and box. It’s hard to watch film of my fights because even though I’m doing 97 things right I just can’t stand to see the 3 things I’m doing wrong. I’m a person who strives to pull out my full potential. It takes guts to be great. Nothing will stand in the way of achieving my goals, which includes being the GWOAT and creating equality for all women fighters when it comes to the money, opportunities and coverage the men get.

 

 

 

###

boxing, women's boxing

DICAIRE WILL FACE NAMUS! IBF WORLD LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHT FEMALE CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR DECEMBER 1 IN QUEBEC CITY

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“MANDATORY”
December 1st at the Vidéotron Centre in Quebec City

 

QUEBEC CITY, Canada (November 2, 2018) –– The charismatic Marie-Eve Dicaire (13-0-0, 0 KOs) will have the chance to make her dream come true on December 1 at the Videotron Center in Quebec, when she fights for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) World light middleweight title against champion Chris Namus (24-4-0, 8 KOs), of Uruguay. Marie-Eve will fight in the first women’s world title bout in Quebec’s history.

 

 

 

The 31-year-old Namus, fighting out of South America, signed the contract this past Tuesday to defend her crown against Dicaire in the co-featured event on the card headlined by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and lineal light heavyweight world championship bout between Adonis Stevenson and challenger Oleksandr Gvozdyk, adding some spice to an already red-hot card.

 

 

 

Namus, nicknamed “El Bombon Asesino”, has been IBF champion since 2017, when she defeated Argentina’s Yamila Esther Reynoso for the vacant title. She has since defended her belt once, against her compatriot, Katia Alvarino.

 

 

“First of all,” Dicaire said, “I must say that I feel privileged to have the opportunity to box for the world championship for the first time here in Quebec. This fight represents years of effort, sacrifice, perseverance and to live that moment before those who supported me during this tumultuous journey is indescribable for me.

 

 

 

“My preparation for this fight is already well underway and I must admit that the signature of Namus has just added an additional motivation for the last steps of my camp. So, watch out! I cannot wait to be in the ring and touch this belt!”

 

 

 

“Marie-Eve is in a good position to be a star in the history of Canadian boxing. She will not have a second chance to leave a good first impression,” added GYM’s vice president of operations and recruitment, Bernard Barré.

 

 

 

Tickets, starting at $ 50.50, taxes and service fees included, are on sale at Gestev.com and Ticketmaster.ca, at the Champions Boxing Club (514-376-0980), at GYM (514-383-0666) or at 1-855-790-1245.

 

The “Mandatory” event will be televised in the United States and Canada on pay-per-view via Indigo, Bell TV and Shaw TV.

 

 

 

MARIE-EVE DICAIRE

 

 

 

Marie-Eve Dicaire has been in the fighting sports since a very young age. At only 6 years old, karate captivated her. She obtained a black belt and won a Canadian Championship before even being 11 year-old.

 

 

 

At 18 years old, Marie-Eve became karate world champion for a first time. She would win that title four other times.

 

 

 

She also gained a spot on the NASKA American circuit with the Amerikick team.

 

 

 

A 5th degree black belt and owner of a dojo (Karaté Sunfuki), Dicaire made a switch to kickboxing and had two fights (a win and a draw) before starting boxing.

 

 

 

On the amateur boxing scene, she fought more than 50 times in less than four years.

Her best year was 2013, when she won the Quebec Championship, Canadian Championship and the Ringside World Championship, plus a win over the American champion in a Canada versus United States meeting.

 

 

 

Boxe Québec also named her 2013 Athlete of the Year.

 

 

 

The fighter from Saint-Eustache, Quebec, made her pro debut November 20, 2015, in Sorel-Tracy. She defeated Christina Barry, from Manitoba, by unanimous decision.

 

 

 

January 21 at the Montreal Casino, Dicaire beat Christina Barry for a second time to keep her undefeated record.

 

 

 

In her third outing, she bested Mexican veteran Martha Patricia Lara, March 17th at the Montreal Casino.

 

 

 

May 24 at the Montreal Casino, Dicaire faced a rival ranked 16th in the world by the WBC, American Ashleigh Curry. With an energetic body attack, she won a unanimous decision.

 

 

 

On October 20th, it was Mexican warrior Karla Zamora‘s turn to taste Dicaire’s medicine, and then on December 10, former NABF champion Paty Ramirez, of Mexico, was also defeated.

 

 

 

On February 9th at the Cabaret of the Casino de Montréal, Marie-Eve fought for the first time in the final bout of a professional boxing card. It was also a first women’s final for GYM. The southpaw delivered a perfect performance for his first eight-round confrontation by winning a unanimous decision over aggressive American Lisa Noel Garland.

 

 

 

In her most recent performance on June 15, she completely dominated the tough regional champion of Tijuana Alejandra Ayala.

 

 

 

In the first 10 rounds fight of her career, October 25, 2017 at the Lac Leamy Casino, Dicaire won a spectacular battle against the aggressive champion of Argentina Yamila Esther Reynoso, winning by unanimous decision.

 

After a win in a rematch with Ramirez, the southpaw faced former IBF World Champion Marisa Gabriela Nunez on February 15 at the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal. Thanks to a win by majority decision in 10 rounds, she captured her first professional belt, the NABF light middleweight title.

 

Accustomed to performing at the highest summit of the disciplines, in which she has evolved, Dicaire is aiming for nothing less than a world championship belt. She is currently ranked #1 by the WBA, #2 by the IBF and #2 by the WBC.

 

 

 

 

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@groupeyvonmichel

@yvonmichelGYM

 

 

 

#GroupeYM

#StevensonGvozdyk

#Mandatory

boxing, DAZN

Women’s Superstar Claressa Shields to Defend IBF and WBA Middleweight Championships and Looks to Add WBC Belt Against Scotland’s Hannah Rankin, Live on DAZN on November 17

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On Saturday, November 17, at the Kansas Star Arena and Casino in Mulvane, Kansas, superstar two-division women’s world champion Claressa Shields of Flint, Michigan, will defend her IBF and WBA World Middleweight Championships and be looking to add the vacant WBC title against Hannahh Rankin from Glasgow, Scotland.

 

 

 

The 10-round Shields (6-0, 2 KOs), and Rankin (5-2, 1 KO) battle will serve as the co-featured bout to Brooklyn-born heavyweight contender Jarrell Miller’s WBA World Heavyweight Championship showdown against Romania’s Bogdan Dinu.

 

 

 

These two fights will be broadcast live on DAZN, along with former world champion Brandon Rios taking on Canelo’s brother, Ramon Alvarez, in a super welterweight 10-rounder and former two-time world middleweight title challenger Gabriel Rosado going against once-beaten contender Luis Arias.

 

 

 

Shields was originally scheduled to face WBC and WBO World Middleweight Champion Christina Hammer on November 17, but the bout was postponed after Hammer withdrew due to medical reasons. Hammer has been named a champion in recess during her recovery. The two champions are now projected to do battle in the first quarter of 2019.

 

 

 

“Claressa is a once-in-a-generation athlete that transcends the sport,” said her promoter, Dmitriy Salita. “She will take another step in her goal to achieve the status of GWOAT as she makes the first defense of her middleweight world titles against the skilled and durable Hannah Rankin.”

 

 

 

A bonafide women’s superstar and TV ratings favorite, 23-year-old “T-Rex” Shields is a two-time Olympic gold medallist and already a world champion in two weight divisions. In her fourth professional fight, she won the IBF and WBC Super Middleweight Championships in August 2017 with a dominant stoppage of Germany’s Nikki Adler. Then, in June of this year and in just her sixth pro fight, she dropped down to 160 pounds and won the IBF and WBA Middleweight titles with an exciting unanimous decision over Hannah Gabriels.

 

 

 

“I’m so excited to be able to give my fans another chance to see me defend my championship this year and to have the opportunity to win the WBC middleweight title on November 17,” said Shields. “I appreciate the efforts of Salita Promotions, my manager Mark Taffet, and Matchroom Boxing in putting this fight together so quickly. I will be in great shape and will provide a great performance.”

 

 

 

“I want to thank Salita Promotions and Matchroom Boxing for providing Claressa with another chance to fight this year and an opportunity to attain a third middleweight world championship,” said Mark Taffet, manager of Claressa Shields. “Claressa is hungry and motivated to put on a great performance on November 17 on DAZN. Claressa has lofty goals and I have no doubt that she’s going to achieve every one of them, including fighting and defeating Christina Hammer early next year. I expect Shields vs Rankin to be an action-packed fight that fans will enjoy tremendously.”

 

 

 

28-year-old Rankin put in an impressive and brave performance while losing a challenge for Alicia Napoleon’s WBA Super Middleweight Championship in August of this year. Before that, she picked up the WBC Silver Middleweight Championship with a dominant victory over Finland’s Sanna Turunen in June.

 

 

 

“I’m excited about the fight and proud to be representing Scotland on such a big stage,” said Rankin. “In boxing, nothing is impossible and on November 17, it will be just us in there when the bell rings and I think it’s going to be one hell of a fight.”

amateur boxing, boxing, USA Boxing

Houston featherweight Roma Martinez represents next wave of USA female boxers

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
 
Out to make statement at Summer Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018
 

Oct. 6-18 in Argentina

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (October 8, 2018) — Houston featherweight Roma Martinez, who represents the next wave of USA female boxers, is currently In Argentina to make a statement at the ongoing Summer Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018.

 

 

The Summer Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 continues through Oct. 18 at Parque Polidesportivo Roca in Argentina.

 

 

 

The 18-year-old Martinez started boxing six years ago, when her step-father came into her life, taking her to a local boxing gym to help keep her out of potential trouble, as well to defend herself.

 

 

 

She is an online student at the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, planning to major in business, and Roma has been able to balance her busy schedule for a simple reason. “I don’t have much of a social life,” she admitted, “so it’s easy for me to train and study.”
 

 

Argentina is the second foreign country she’s traveled to having competed last November in India. Although she has a relatively limited amateur career, Martinez has managed to capture top honors at six national events: 2016 USA Boxing Nationals, 2014 & 2015 Batte lf the Universe, 20-15 Women’s Golden Glove, 2-15 Junior Olympics Nationals, and 2014 Brown Gloves.

 

 

 

Like many of her Team USA teammates, in addition to opponents from all over the world, Roma hopes she can parlay an impressive performance in Buenos Aires to improve her chances to eventually qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Japan.

 

 

 

“The Youth Olympics is the biggest thing in my career because I hope to compete in the 2020 Olympics,” Martinez said. “The Youth Olympics is almost as big as the Olympics, only younger athletes compete. I take things one day at a time, but I do have goals to make the Olympics, win a gold medal, and then turn pro and win a world title.

 

 

 

“This is my last youth competition. This December I will move up to Elite Division. There will be a difference in age (of her opponents) and more international competition, but I need that experience to reach my goals.”

 

 

 

Roma, she says, is a technical boxer who occasionally brings pressure.     Her favorite boxer is the great “Sugar” Ray Leonard and she looks up to Nicola Adams (2012 & 2016 Olympic gold medalist from Great Britain) and Mikaela Mayer (2016 USA Olympian). Roma has taken advantage of sparring sessions with Adams and Mayer, respectively, in Houston and Colorado Springs.

 

 

 

Martinez believes female boxing is on the upswing and she looks forward to its future. “The more top female boxers will mean bigger things for us,” Martinez added, “We’ll get more TV time and make more money.”

 

 

 

Roma credits USA Boxing for her learning how to be disciplined and she’s grateful for the outstanding coaching she’s received. Martinez plans to travel a lot in the future and when she earns her business degree, Roma is determined to use it to her advantage, owning a restaurant and, possibly, a gym so that she can remain in boxing after she hangs up her gloves way down the road.

 

 

 

      INFORMATION:

www.usaboxing.org

Twitter: @USABoxing

Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing

boxing, women's boxing

Video Highlights of Selina Barrios’ NABF Lightweight Title Fight with Patricia Juarez

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Check out video highlights of Selina “Aztec Queen” Barrios’ (5-0, 2 KOs) fight with Patricia Juarez (4-1) where she retained her NABF Lightweight title.
This event titled “Heavyweight Boxing Showdown” was brought to you by CCC ENTERTAINMENT in conjunction with CC HOOKS, HOUSTON ASTROS, and KEEPPUNCHING ENTERTAINMENT.
boxing, Showtime, Showtime Boxing

CLARESSA SHIELDS TO FACE CHRISTINA HAMMER IN MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNIFICATION TO CROWN WOMEN’S UNDISPUTED 160-POUND CHAMPION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17 LIVE ON SHOWTIME® FROM BOARDWALK HALL IN ATLANTIC CITY

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(Photo Courtesy of SHOWTIME)
IBF & WBA Champion Shields To Meet WBC & WBO Champion Hammer In Matchup Of Undefeated, Top-10 Pound-For-Pound Fighters
 
SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION Live At 10:30 p.m. ET/PT
 
Tickets on Sale This Friday, September 28!

 

 

NEW YORK (September 25, 2018) – Two undefeated middleweight world champions will meet when Claressa Shields faces Christina Hammer on Saturday, November 17 live on SHOWTIME from the Adrian Phillips Theater in Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. The blockbuster unification match to determine the women’s undisputed 160-pound world champion will be the main event of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION, live at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

 

 

 

Shields vs. Hammer features two of the consensus top-10 pound-for-pound fighters in the world squaring off to crown only the second undisputed champion in female boxing history.

 

 

 

The 23-year-old Shields (6-0, 2 KOs) is a two-division champion who holds the IBF and WBA 160-pound titles. The 28-year-old Hammer (23-0, 10 KOs) owns the WBC and WBO belts and has dominated the women’s middleweight division for nearly eight years. Shields and Hammer fought on the same card in June on SHOWTIME, with both fighters winning impressively to set up the first undisputed showdown in the women’s 160-pound division.

 

 

 

The winner of Shields vs. Hammer will join Terrence Crawford, Jermain Taylor, Bernard Hopkins, Oleksandr Usyk and women’s welterweight Cecilia Braekhus as the only fighters to have unified all four recognized titles in any weight class.

 

 

 

Tickets for the event, promoted by Salita Promotions, are priced at $35-$150 and will be available this Friday, September 28 at Ticketmaster.com and the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall box office powered by Atlantic City Electric.

 

 

 

“I’ve worked hard my whole life to overcome every obstacle, represent my country and win two Olympic gold medals, and win world championships in two weight divisions as a pro,” Shields said. “I want to be part of the biggest fight in women’s boxing history, I want to be undisputed world middleweight champion, I want women’s boxing to reach new heights, and the only thing standing between me and the achievement of all those goals is Christina Hammer. I will defeat Hammer on November 17, and I will do it in a way that will leave no doubt who is the best in the world.”

 

 

 

“I am beyond excited and motivated to fight Claressa,” Hammer said. “I am the best middleweight in the world and will make that point very clear when we get in the ring. It’s been my dream to fight in the biggest women’s fight of all time and raise women’s boxing to an all-time high. I will be crowned the undisputed middleweight queen on November 17.”

 

 

 

“SHOWTIME Sports has a long history of featuring the best in women’s combat sports, whether it was with Laila Ali and Christy Martin in boxing, or Gina Carano, Cris Cyborg and Ronda Rousey in MMA,” said Gordon Hall, Executive Producer of SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION. “More recently, since 2016 we have featured today’s elite with Claressa Shields, Christina Hammer, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano appearing in an industry-leading 10 presentations of women’s boxing.

 

 

 

“Male or female, SHOWTIME has delivered the best fighters in their toughest matchups, and November 17 will be no different. We have two of the best pound-for-pound female fighters in the world facing each other with all four women’s middleweight titles at stake. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

 

 

 

“I have been fortunate to be part of some of the biggest and most important fights in boxing history, and I am thrilled to play a part in the Shields vs Hammer undisputed middleweight championship fight on SHOWTIME,” said Mark Taffet, manager of Claressa Shields. “This is a fight which will make its mark on history and change the landscape for women’s boxing. And what better venue to host this historic fight than Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, home to some of the greatest fights of our generation including Tyson vs Spinks, Holyfield vs Foreman and Gatti vs Ward. I can’t wait to see these two great champions give the fans a night to remember for generations to come.”

 

 

 

“This will be a historic night for boxing,” said promoter Dmitriy Salita. “The two best middleweights in the world – both champions, both undefeated and both motivated to prove who is the best – are bringing their skills, confidence and heart to the ring in the greatest women’s matchup of all time. Shield vs. Hammer will take boxing, and women’s sports, to a new height. History will be made November 17 live on SHOWTIME.”

 

 

 

Shields was the first American boxer in history – male or female – to win consecutive Olympic Gold Medals. The Flint, Mich., native turned professional following the 2016 Olympics and became unified women’s super middleweight world champion in just her fourth professional fight. Shields moved down to middleweight for her June 22 headliner on SHOWTIME, defeating Hanna Gabriels to win the IBF and WBA titles and become a two-division champion in just her sixth professional contest.

 

 

 

Hammer, of Dortmund, Germany, has been the dominant force in the women’s middleweight division since winning the WBO title in 2010. Hammer became unified champion in 2016 with a unanimous decision over WBC titlist Kali Reis and has made four defenses as unified champion. In her eight years as champion, Hammer has lost just a handful of rounds across 16 world title fights. Hammer, who also models professionally and was recently featured at Fashion Week in New York City, made her U.S. debut on June 22 after campaigning mostly in Germany since turning professional in 2009.

 

 

 

The undercard for the SHOWTIME BOXING: SPECIAL EDITION telecast will be announced in the coming weeks.
boxing, women's boxing

Selina Barrios Retains NABF Lightweight Title with Dominating Unanimous Decision Over Patricia Juarez

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Photos by Robert Elizondo – Team Barrios

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX (September 22, 2018) – Tonight at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, TX, San Antonio’s female boxing sensation, Selina “Aztec Queen” Barrios (5-0, 2 KOs), remained undefeated with a dominating 10-round unanimous decision victory over Patricia Juarez (4-1), sister of WBC Bantamweight champion, Mariana “Barbie” Juarez (50-9-4, 13 KOs).  With the victory, Barrios retains her NABF Lightweight title.

 

 

 

In the early rounds, both fighters were very active, throwing a lot of punches, but Barrios was the one landing the cleaner shots. Although Juarez was doing her best to box from the outside using a one-two combo, her power wasn’t enough to keep Barrios off her as she kept coming forward, landing her signature overhand right. Barrios hurt Juarez in round five, knocking her mouthpiece out with right hook, forcing the referee to stop the action momentarily. Juarez recovered but never was able to stop Barrios from coming forward as she continued to land thumping power shots. A clash of head butts cut Barrios on the forehead during the middle rounds, but she was never bothered by them. In the later rounds, Barrios continued to apply pressure, forcing Juarez to fight on the inside. Juarez showed a lot of heart making it to the final bell but came up short as Barrios remains undefeated. Scorecards read 100-89 and 99-91 twice all in favor of Barrios.

 

 

 

“I felt I controlled the fight from the opening bell,” said Selina Barrios. “Juarez was a very tough opponent and I give her a lot of credit for going the distance. I hit her with a lot of power shots and she hung in there. I didn’t feel any power in her punches, so I kept coming forward. I got the victory and I’m ready to fight any of the champions at Lightweight. Katie Taylor, Mikaela Mayer and Amanda Serrano, I’m coming for you guys. You can run, but you can’t hide.”

 

 

 

This event titled “Heavyweight Boxing Showdown” was brought to you by CCC ENTERTAINMENT in conjunction with CC HOOKS, HOUSTON ASTROS, and KEEPPUNCHING ENTERTAINMENT.