Tag Archives: women’s boxing

Sharahya-Taina Moreu to make USA Boxing Women’s Elite debut at home in Albuquerque

 
2018 Western Elite Qualifier and Regional Open Championships
Mar. 6-10 at Albuquerque Convention Center

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 1, 2018) – High school senior Sharahya-Taina Moreu, one of the top youth amateur boxers in the world, will make her USA Boxing in the Women’s Elite Division at home in Albuquerque, March 6-10, at the 2018 USA Boxing Western Elite Qualifier and Regional Open Championships.

The 18-year-old Moreu, who plans to attend community college next year, is a 2016 USA Boxing National Champion, in addition to a four-time Native American and 2014 Gene Lewis champion. She was a silver medalist at the 2015 Junior/Youth Open and 2014/2015 Junior Olympic championships.

Boxing, her father/coach, Yoruba Moreu, the late Johnny Tapia helped her overcome the life-changing tragedy of her mother’s death in an automobile accident, forging a new path for her as a role model and 2020 Olympic hopeful. “I was only eight when my mother died,” Moreu remembered. “I was laying on her when the car-rolled and she was thrown through the back window. I was the first out of the card and on the freeway asking for help.

“I’m a better person because of that accident, though. At first, I was regretful and angry, getting in fights and on a bad path. I got into boxing, took anger management, and became motivated. I didn’t realize that I’d become a role model until girls started asking me for advice. They do look up to me and some of them I now coach.”
Moreu started boxing at the age of 12 and Tapia, the five-time, three division world champion, in addition to the 1983 and 1985 National Golden Gloves champion, had a tremendous impact on Sharahya-Taina that will remain in her heart and soul for life.
“We became like family,” Moreu said. “At first, he didn’t like girls boxing, so he worked me real hard. I was a good basketball player and he kept telling me to go play basketball. But he became a big person in my life, I think, because I had lost my mother at such a young age. He helped me in and out of the ring in so many ways. Johnny Tapia was the nicest, most humble man I’ve ever met. We became family until the gym fell apart. He only coached me about eight months, but he taught me that boxing defines you as a person, in and out of the ring. I feel safe in the ring. I’m a better person because of Johnny and boxing.”

Style-wise, Sharahya-Taina preys on her opponents’ mistakes, adjusting in the ring the same as, she says, “Just like in life.” At 5′ 10″, Moreu has a distinct height and reach advantage over most of her middleweight opponents, using those attributes, her speed and stiff jab to relentlessly pile up points.

She strongly believes that, because of Claressa Shields‘ gold-medal performances in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, the doors are open wider for women in boxing. “I saw an American woman do what Clarissa did and become a dominant force in boxing,” Moreu remarked. “(2016 U.S. Olympian and three-time USA Boxing National Champion)) Mikaela Mayer (3-0, 2 KOs as a pro) has helped a lot, too. She signed with a good promoter (Top Rank). Boxing is slowly getting better for woman, maybe not equal to men, but there are more girls boxing today than ever before and that’s a good sign.”

Fighting at home in the Western Qualifier has a special meaning for Moreu. “I thought fighting in Albuquerque would be a lot of pressure,” she admitted, “but there’s not much pressure on me because of all the support I’m receiving. It’s easy here. Albuquerque isn’t like a big city but it’s becoming a fight town.

“I like to travel and meet different people. Last year, I represented to United States in India at the Youth Championships, and I saw another part of the world, how people trained and had different life styles. I’m turning 19 in May, so this is my first-time boxing in an Elite tournament, and it’s great doing it in my hometown.

Moreu also credits her father for a large amount of her success in the ring and life. “He’s been a single parent, but he’s always been there doing his best for me as a father and coach,” Sharahya-Taina noted. “Most people don’t know that he’s Puerto Rican, my mother a Native American (Pueblo).”

Like most young, elite athletes, Sharahya-Taina has a dream. “2020 in the Olympics,” she concluded. “I want to establish myself as an amateur and eventually go pro and have a good career.”

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Streaking Russian Female Star Elena Savelyeva to Fight 10 Rounds in Fourth Pro Fight

In just her fourth professional fight, rising female flyweight prospect Elena Savelyeva will take the leap to 10-rounders.
Formerly one of the most decorated female amateur boxers in the world and a 2012 Olympian, Savelyeva (3-0, 3 KOs), of Pushkino, Russia, will face former world title challenger Nevenka Mikulic of Croatia on Saturday, February 10 at Qin Shi Huang Restaurant in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
“I feel great,” said Savelyeva, “Everything has gone completely according to plan. The fight itself will show what great shape I’m in. My training is always very intense, and I always have planned-out goals in mind.”
Co-promoted by Salita Promotions and Russian-based Alexander Nevskiy Promotion Group, Savelyeva went 134-15-1 as an amateur, winning the world, European (2X) and Russian (6X) championships She represented her homeland in the 2012 Summer Olympics and competed in the first-ever women’s Olympic boxing match in history.
She has been preparing for her first 10-round fight between gyms in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
“I haven’t experienced any difficulties at all so far,” said Savelyeva of the transition to the professional ranks. “My opponents allowed me to develop and progress properly. I have an extensive amateur background, fighting and beating the best in the world. I expect to do the same in the pros and win a professional world title, hopefully by the end of this year.”
“Elena is progressing quickly, as any fighter with her amateur experience would,” said co-promoter Dmitriy Salita. “After this fight, she will be looking for world-title fight, especially if its against her former amateur rival, (UK-based) Nicola Adams.”
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About Salita Promotions
Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe. For more information, visit salitapromotions.com.

Rising Star Elena Gradinar to Face Olivia Gerula for IBF Intercontinental Championship in Narva, Estonia, on March 24

Rising female star, Elena Gradinar of Saint Petersburg, Russia, will compete for the first championship belt of her professional career when she takes on former world champion Olivia “The Predator” Gerula for the IBF Intercontinental Featherweight Championship.
The 10-round Gradinar vs. Gerula battle will take place on Saturday, March 24, at the Energia Sport Hall in Narva, Estonia.
The undefeated 27-year-old Gradinar (8-0, 2 KOs) went 73-8 as an amateur, winning numerous national and international amateur tournaments. Gradinar has also attained the designation of Sport Master of Russia.
A well-respected and accomplished professional, Gerula, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the former WBC World Female Super Featherweight Champion and made two successful defenses. She has also held the well-respected WIBA World Championship.
“I am very glad to fight for IBF Intercontinental belt against former WBC World Champion Olivia Gerula,” said Gradinar. “We will bring for boxing fans a dramatic and exiting clash between us. I am very proud that I will represent my country Russia and I hope that IBF Intercontinental belt will find residence in the glorious Russian city of St. Petersburg!”
“I am very excited about what’s to come. I look forward to visiting Estonia and soaking up some of its culture while proudly representing Canada,” said Olivia Gerula. “I know Elena has an impressive amateur record and an undefeated professional record, but I don’t believe she has ever been in the ring with a fighter of my quality and experience, so I expect to shake things up.”
Gerula’s co-promoter Dmitriy Salita, along with Russian-based Alexander Nevskiy Promotion Group, says the Gerula fight will prove a lot about Gradinar’s transition to the professional ranks.
“This will be the toughest test of Elena’s young career,” said Salita. “Olivia Gerula has fought and beaten many top-level female fighters in the division. I am looking forward to a great fight and, with a victory, the continued development of our future world champion.”

HEATHER HARDY AND ANA JULATON TO COMPETE IN MMA AND BOXING CONTESTS

 

 

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS BOUT SET FOR BELLATOR 194 ON FEBRUARY 16

 

 

 

LOS ANGELES – A flyweight feature fight pitting renowned boxing champions Heather Hardy (1-1) against Ana Julaton (2-3) has been added to the main card of Bellator 194: Nelson vs. Mitrione on Friday, February 16 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The event will air live and free on Paramount Network at 9 p.m. ET.

 

 

 

The bout will be the first part of a dual event scenario in which the fighters are also expected to compete in a boxing match at a later date. While the MMA bout will be held under the Bellator banner, DiBella Entertainment and Orion Sports Management will handle promotional duties for the boxing event.

 

 

 

Tickets for Bellator 194: Nelson vs. Mitrione are available now and can be purchased at the Mohegan Sun Arena Box Office, as well as Ticketmaster and Bellator.com. The event will be broadcast live and free on Paramount Network at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App. Additional contests will be announced in coming weeks.

 

 

 

Making her third appearance inside the Bellator MMA cage, Hardy hopes to duplicate the game plan that earned her an impressive knockout win over Alice Yauger in her professional debut at Madison Square Garden. Hailing from Brooklyn, N.Y., Hardy built an imposing boxing resume prior to joining forces with Bellator, where she collected a pair of titles in multiple weight classes, including the WBC International Female Super Bantamweight belt and WBC International Female Featherweight belt. “The Heat” protected an unblemished mark of 20-0 through a five-year stint inside the boxing ring.

 

 

 

An accomplished professional boxer herself, Julaton also brings a unique style to the Bellator cage as she prepares for just her sixth career MMA bout. The former WBO and IBA super bantamweight world champion made the transition to mixed martial arts in May of 2014, collecting a convincing knockout over Aya-Saeid Saber. Since making her professional MMA debut, “The Hurricane” has competed for multiple world-renown promotions and trains alongside Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix competitor Frank Mir in Las Vegas.

 

 

 

Updated Bellator 194: Nelson vs. Mitrione Fight Card:

 

 

Heavyweight World Grand Prix First Round Bout: Roy Nelson (23-14) vs. Matt Mitrione (12-5)

 

 

Lightweight Co-Main Event: Patricky “Pitbull” (18-8) vs. Derek Campos (19-6)

 

 

Women’s Flyweight Feature Bout: Heather Hardy (1-1) vs. Ana Julaton (2-3)

 

 

 

Bellator.com and Bellator Mobile App Preliminary Card:

 

 

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Marcus Surin (4-1) vs. Dean Hancock (3-1)

 

 

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Ross Richardson (Pro Debut) vs. Nick Giulietti (Pro Debut)

 

 

165-lb. Catchweight Preliminary Bout: Peter Nascimento (Pro Debut) vs. Kastriot Xhema (1-1)

 

 

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Regivaldo Carvalho (4-2) vs. Tom English (6-8)

 

COMBATE AMERICAS SIGNS FIRST-EVER, FIVE-DIVISION WORLD BOXING CHAMPION AMANDA SERRANO

Five-division world boxing champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano has signed an exclusive, multi-year promotional agreement with Combate Americas, and is slated to make her MMA debut in March.

  

Pound-for-pound boxing phenom set to make her much-anticipated
MMA debut for world’s premier Hispanic MMA sports franchise

 

 

NEW YORK – January 11, 2018  – Combate Americas today announced the signing of five-division world boxing champion, including reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight (118 pounds) champion, Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (Boxing: 34-1-1, 26 KO’s; MMA: 0-0) to an exclusive, multi-year promotional agreement.

 

 

The only female fighter in history as well as the only Puerto Rican competitor ever to win five world titles in five different weight divisions, the 29-year-old Serrano who was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico and fights out of Brooklyn, N.Y., will make her Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) debut in La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, on a March date to be announced soon.

 

 

“We are excited to bring Amanda Serrano, one of boxing’s most exciting superstars into the Combate Americas familia, and look forward to placing her on a global stage that is the premier sports property in 21 Spanish speaking countries worldwide,” said Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.

 

 

Serrano, a top 10 pound-for-pound fighter, will continue her burgeoning boxing career under the promotion of DiBella Entertainment, and attempt to become the first athlete in history to simultaneously hold world titles in MMA and boxing.

 

 

Serrano captured her first major world title, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight crown, at just 22 years old, with a brutal, second-round knockout of Kimberly Connor on September 10, 2011.

 

 

She has since torn through the ranks of fighters in four other weight divisions, ranging from bantamweight to lightweight (135 pounds), and most recently scored a first round TKO on Marilyn Hernandez on November 4, 2017.

 

 

Serrano was inspired to cross over to the world of MMA by retired world champion Miesha Tate, who has since become Serrano’s co-manager.

 

 

Combate Americas is coming off a banner year, producing remarkable television ratings in the U.S., Mexico and Spain, including the first two Telemundo MMA events in history that generated the highest ratings of any Spanish language MMA shows in the U.S. in the summer and fall of 2017, and as many as 6.9 million viewers for one episode of its weekly television series on TV Azteca in Mexico.

Salita Promotions Adds to World-Class Women’s Boxing Roster, Signs Top Female Prospect Franchon Crews-Dezurn to a Promotional Contract

Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions proudly announces the signing of Baltimore-based female super middleweight prospect and former amateur world standout Franchon Crews-Dezurn to a promotional contract.
Crews-Dezurn joins a Salita Promotions women’s boxing roster that includes superstar Claressa Shields, European star Christina Hammer, and Russian future champion Elena Savelyeva.

30-year-old Crews-Dezurn, 2-1, 1 KO as a professional, is a former highly decorated, elite amateur boxer. Among her many championships, she was an eight-time US Open National Champion, a four-time National Female Golden Gloves Champion, a four-time Pan Am Continental Champion, a two-time National PAL Champion, and a two-time US Olympic Team Alternate.

She also represented Team USA in numerous international competitions, and in 2011, Crews-Dezurn made history by becoming the first of three women in the United States to qualify and compete in the debut of women’s boxing at the Pan American Games.

Since stepping up on short notice and losing a decision in an exciting fight to women’s superstar and former amateur rival Claressa Shields in her pro debut in November 2016, Crews-Dezurn spent 2017 beating Louisiana-based contenders Latashia Burton (TKO 1) in March and Sydney LeBlanc (UD 4) in August.

She will make her debut fighting under the Salita Promotions banner against North Carolina’s Tiffany Woodard on Friday, January 12, on the untelevised undercard of WBC/IBF World Champion Claressa Shields’ 168-pound title defense versus mandatory challenger Tori Nelson, live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.

“I’m very excited and grateful for the opportunity to have such a great platform for me and for women’s boxing,” said Crews-Dezurn. “There’s a lot of excitement in the Super Middleweight and Middleweight divisions and I can’t wait to be right in the thick of it.”

Crews-Dezurn says she’ll be looking to rise in the rankings on her way to high-profile showdowns, including a possible rematch with Shields.
“I love what Dmitriy has done with Claressa and he just signed Christina Hammer. I’m a fighter. I’d like to fight a few six- and eight-rounders, build myself up inside and outside the ring through hard work. There are some great fights out there. I’m excited. There’s Claressa, Hammer, Cornejo, Nikki Adler, Tori Nelson. I want to fight for a world title before the end of the year, but my competitive side says let’s do it right now.”
Crews-Dezurn trains at the Headbangers Boxing Gym in Washington, DC, under well-regarded trainer Barry Hunter, as well as Patrice “Boogie” Harris, Jamie Harris and her husband Glenn Dezurn Jr.

“I’ve been training there for the last three years. The whole team is amazing. You’re in there with world champs and title contenders. The level of intensity is always very high. And it’s a family atmosphere I love it there.”

“Women’s boxing is suddenly flooded with great talent and Franchon, as a pioneering woman of the modern boxing age, deserves to be part of that group,” said Dmitriy Salita. “I’m happy to have reached an agreement with her. With her tremendous skill and marketable personality, Franchon has the potential to become another women’s superstar in a golden age for the sport.”

Also featured on the January 12 telecast, Uzbekistan power-puncher Shohjahon Ergashev (11-0, 11 KOs) will face fellow undefeated and top-10 ranked Sonny Fredrickson (18-0, 12 KOs) of Toledo, Ohio. In the co-feature, Jesse Hernandez (10-1, 7 KOs) will take on Ernesto Garza (9-2, 5 KOs; 1-3 WSB) in a 10-round super bantamweight bout.

Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, are currently on sale for $75 for the first two rows of ringside, $65 for remaining ringside seats and all others priced at $49 and $37, plus any applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling the Turning Stone Resort Box Office at 800.771.7711 or online at Ticketmaster.

 
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Salita Promotions Congratulates Shields On 2017 Year-End Awards

Promoter Dmitriy Salita of Salita Promotions wishes to congratulate his fighter, female superstar, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and WBC and IBF Super Middleweight World Champion, Claressa “T Rex” Shields, for her impressive list of victories in the 2017 year-end awards.
 
In just her first full year as a professional, Flint, Michigan’s Shields was named USA Today: Female Fighter of the Year, Yahoo Sports: Female Fighter of the Year, WBAN: Hottest Rising Star and WBAN: Most Inspirational, as well as The Sweet Science’s Prospect of the Year.
 
Shields is also nominated for the BWAA’s Christy Martin Women’s Fighter Of The Year and Bill Crawford Award for Courage in Overcoming Adversity Awards, which will be presented in February.
 
After turning professional in November 2016, Shields appeared three times in 2017, making boxing history on SHOWTIME by becoming the first female to headline a boxing event on premium television. In August, Shields won the WBC and vacant IBF Super Middleweight Championships from previously unbeaten and highly regarded champion Nikki Adler in dominant fashion. And in March, also on SHOWTIME, she stopped Hungary’s Szilvia Szabados in four rounds.
 
Shields also won the WBC Silver Super Middleweight Title in only her third professional fight by scoring a unanimous shutout decision over Louisiana’s rugged Sydney LeBlanc in front of her adoring fans in Michigan in June.
 
“2017 was a very fulfilling year for me,” said Shields. “Turning pro and winning my first two world titles were big thrills. But I’m most pleased about being the first woman to headline a main event on television and having two of my fights live on SHOWTIME, as it is my goal to lead women’s boxing to new heights.”
 
Promoter Salita says the sky is the limit for 22-year-old Shields, as her fame continues to pick up momentum with every passing fight.
 
“Claressa is a phenomenon in boxing; a superstar fighter resurrecting the entire sport of female boxing with her amazing talent,” said Salita. “These awards are well-deserved and only the first of many, as she makes history throughout what will be her legendary career. I am proud to be working with this incredible young woman and give her my sincerest congratulations.”
 
Shields will next be seen Friday, January 12, as she defends her 168-pound titles on ShoBox: The New Generation against undefeated IBF mandatory challenger Tori Nelson live on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT) from the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York.
 
“I can’t wait to continue the journey in 2018, beginning with my January 12 fight against Tori Nelson on SHOWTIME,” continued Shields.  “I look forward to a unification fight with Christina Hammer in the summer. I thank God, my fans, the media, Salita Promotions, and my team for all the support.”
 
Also featured on the January 12 telecast, Uzbekistan power-puncher Shohjahon Ergashev (11-0, 11 KOs) will face fellow undefeated and top-10 ranked Sonny Fredrickson (18-0, 12 KOs) of Toledo, Ohio. In the co-feature, Jesse Hernandez (10-1, 7 KOs) will take on Ernesto Garza (9-2, 5 KOs; 1-3 WSB) in a 10-round super bantamweight bout.
 
Highlights of the United States fighting debut of current WBC and WBO Middleweight Women’s Champion, and future Shields opponent, Christina “Lady Hammer” Hammer (22-0, 10 KOs) will also be shown.
 
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, are currently on sale for $75 for the first two rows of ringside, $65 for remaining ringside seats and all others priced at $49 and $37, plus any applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling the Turning Stone Resort Box Office at800.771.7711 or online at Ticketmaster.

Selina Barrios and Lisa Porter Make Weight for NABF Lightweight Title

SELINA BARRIOS vs. LISA PORTER
Both Fighters Make Weight For
NABF Lightweight Championship




ALEXANDRIA, LA (December 28, 2017) – Undefeated female fighters, Selina “Aztec Queen” Barrios (2-0, 1 KO) and “Lovely” Lisa Porter (1-0-1), both made weight for their upcoming NABF Lightweight title bout, set to take place this Friday, December 29, at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, LA.  Barrios weighed in at 131.2 lbs. while Porter tipped the scales at 134.5 lbs.
“I’m ready for war.  I know Lisa Porter is in great shape and will bring everything she’s got.  All the hard work is done.  Now it’s time to fight.” – Selina Barrios
“Barrios and I made weight and it’s go time now.  I’m ready to take my career to the next level.” – Lisa Porter

 Salita Promotions Signs Women’s Superstar Christina Hammer to Multi-Fight Promotional Contract

Promoter Dmitriy Salita proudly announces the signing of undefeated women’s unified world middleweight champion Christina Hammer to a multi-fight promotional contract.
Already a superstar in Europe, “Lady Hammer” (22-0, 10 KOs), from Dortmund, Germany, (via Novodolinka, Kazakhstan) is the current WBC and WBO Middleweight Champion. She has also previously held the WBF Middleweight, as well as WBO and WBF Super Middleweight Championships.
Under Salita’s promotional direction, Hammer will make her United States boxing debut on Friday, January 12, at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, on the non-televised undercard of a ShoBox: The New Generation telecast (10 p.m. ET/PT), featuring unified Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Claressa Shields’ WBC and IBF title defense against mandatory challenger Tori Nelson. Hammer is scheduled for a 10-round fight, highlights of which will be shown on SHOWTIME.
“I never had any doubt that my manager Harald Pia and I would reach an agreement,” said a happy Hammer of the signing. “I love the U.S.,” she continued. “If you are successful here, you will be successful everywhere. Since the beginning of my boxing career it has been a dream of mine to fight in the U.S.. I can’t wait for January 12.”
Hammer joins the Salita Promotions roster that also includes women’s superstar, unified super middleweight champion and two-time gold medalist Claressa Shields, as well as world, European (2X) and Russian (6X) amateur champion and 2012 Olympian, Elena Savelyeva.
“Christina has all the tools to become a star in the U.S.,” said Dmitriy Salita. “Her skills, personality and appeal outside the ring make Christina a unique and special fighter in the talent-filled middleweight division. I believe 2018 is going to be a historic year for women’s boxing all over the world.”
Hammer is a technically outstanding boxer, but her outstanding physical strength is what separates her from the rest of the world’s 160-pound fighters. She was voted WBF Female Fighter of the Year in 2011 and 2013; the WBO Female Fighter of the Year in 2013; the BDB Female Boxer of the Year in 2016; the HERQUL Female Boxer of the Year in 2017 and is the only woman in Europe to earn the Diamond Ring of the WBO.
“It is always a pleasure to work with highly professional partners,” said manager Pia of the deal. “I’m confident we have a contract that is good for all parties. Christina is very happy to be fighting in the U.S. It is a dream of hers to be successful over here and she can’t wait to show the U.S. public who Christina Hammer is!”
Tickets for the event, which is promoted by Salita Promotions, are currently on sale for $75 for the first two rows of ringside, $65 for remaining ringside seats and all others priced at $49 and $37, plus any applicable fees. Tickets can be purchased in person or by calling the Turning Stone Resort Box Office at 800.771.7711 or online at Ticketmaster.
In the telecast opener Uzbekistan power-puncher Shohjahon Ergashev (11-0, 11 KOs) will face fellow undefeated and top-10 ranked Sonny Fredrickson (18-0, 12 KOs) of Toledo, Ohio. In the co-feature, Jesse Hernandez (10-1, 7 KOs) will take on Ernesto Garza (9-2, 5 KOs; 1-3 WSB) in a 10-round super bantamweight bout.

Selina Barrios vs. Lisa Porter NABF Lightweight Title On The Line



SAN ANTONIO, TX (December 18, 2017) – The two most avoided female boxers’ in the country are about to face each other, in what looks to be an all-out war, when undefeated sensation, lightweight Selina “Aztec Queen” Barrios, takes on the dangerous “Lovely” Lisa Porter.
On the line will be the NABF lightweight title, as both fighters were granted by the NABF committee to fight for this respected belt.  The 10-round bout will take place at the Rapides Parish Coliseum on December 29, 2017, in Alexandria, LA.  The only other female pro to fight for a major title this quickly is 2-time gold medalist Clarissa Shields.
When everyone in the lightweight division has refused to fight Barrios or Porter, the two agreed to fight each other.  Barrios is a winner of four Ringside World Amateur Titles to go along with her many national championships.  Porter was a decorated amateur herself, winning three National PAL championships, US Golden Gloves, and was a US National Silver medalist.  Both fighters are coming in with undefeated records.
To put things in perspective, Barrios’ last opponent Jasmine Clarkson, was world champion Katie Taylor’s sixth opponent, before Taylor fought for the WBA world title.  In Porter’s case, she fought to a draw with Katonya Fisher, who defeated Jessica McCaskill, who is just went the distance with Taylor for WBA world title.
“I’m very excited to be fighting for the NABF title,” said Selina Barrios. “All I want is an opportunity to win a world title, and winning the NABF belt will get me closer to my dream of becoming a world champion.  I know I’m going to be facing a dangerous opponent in Lisa Porter, but nothing comes easy in boxing.  With that being said, I’m willing to fight anyone they put in front of me.  I’m confident I can win this fight.  I just want to fight the best and prove I’m elite.”
“I’m glad Selina Barrios and I have come to an agreement to make this fight happen, especially for the NABF title,” stated Lisa Porter. “It’s been tough getting opponents to step in the ring with me, so this is truly a blessing.  I’m very grateful to the folks at the NABF for sanctioning this fight.  Selina Barrios is going to be a tough test, but one I believe I can pass.  The fans are going to see a great fight.”
“With Selina being the most avoided female fighter in boxing, I had to do my part on getting her ranked by the NABF,” said advisor Kerry Daigle. “It’s not going to be an easy road to the top.  There’s a lot of good fighters out there with a lot of experience that she’s going to have to fight.  That will be the case when Selina steps in the ring with Lisa Porter, who has a plethora of amateur experience.  She, also is one of the most avoided fighters in the lightweight division.  This will be a battle of two fighters who are putting everything on the line to advance their career to the next level.
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