One other eventful week in ladies’s boxing produced a number of extraordinary fights and a handful of surprising outcomes.
Within the junior flyweight division, boxing’s longest-reigning champion ever Yesica Bopp (greater than 13 years, with a number of caveats together with an extra-long maternity depart and a few “label modifications” to her WBA title) noticed her historic streak coming to an finish in controversial style. Bopp (37-3, 17 knockouts) was declared the loser by an in depth and controversial determination towards Mexico’s Jessica Nery Plata (28-2, 3 KOs) in a bout that happened in Panama as a part of a WBA “KO to Medicine” card.
Bopp had already suffered a most surprising defeat in her first struggle after her pandemic-induced layoff, when she misplaced towards unheralded Juliana Basualdo (4-2, 0 KOs) again in September, with no title at stake. She was rated No. 5 within the division, however after her loss to Nery Plata the panel determined that the brand new titlist ought to step as much as that place, thus changing “La Tuti” Bopp in the interim.
“I’m one of many individuals who noticed the mistaken Yesica win,” stated Rincon Rojo journal editor Irene Deserti, opening the controversy. “In my view Bopp gained no less than six rounds. It’s true that in the direction of the tip of the struggle (she) misplaced a little bit of power and due to this Nery’s strengths grew, however in any case it was not sufficient for her, in my view, to dethrone a champion of the standard of Bopp. It was a extremely aggressive struggle, like Bopp hadn’t had in years. A fantastic struggle the place Nery was additionally in the very best model. I’ve seen Nery struggle many instances, however this time it was her finest struggle,”
“A fantastic win for Nery, though the previous few rounds of the struggle, I although Bopp was going to take the win, stated Lupi Gutierrez-Beagle, of Lovely Brawlers, whereas Mark Jones stated that “Bopp pale over the second half of the struggle permitting Nery Plata to rally sufficient to steal the victory.”
Gabriela Alaniz – Courtesy of O.R. Promotions
With Nery Plata transferring in at 108, a alternative needed to be discovered for her at flyweight, the place she was rated No. 5 earlier than her struggle towards Bopp. A number of names had been thought-about, however the panel went with the boldest potential transfer.
With long-reigning champion Leonela Yudica and explosive up-and-comer Gabriela Alaniz, Argentina produced the 2 finalists for the job, and Alaniz got here out on high, becoming a member of the Prime 5 on her large potential alone, regardless of her restricted achievements to date.
A number of dissenting voices expressed a special standpoint.
“Leonela Paola Yudica at the moment enjoys the second-longest title reign (Hyun Mi Choi) in ladies’s boxing. She needs to be positioned at No. 5 over the 25-year-old spectacular prospect Gabriela Alaniz,” stated Mark Jones, whereas Gutierrez-Beagle stated that “Alaniz possibly the extra thrilling selection, however I’m with Mark. Leonela Yudica has earned that spot.”
A bit bit larger up within the weight scale, Terri Harper returned to her successful methods with a strong victory over Yamila Abellaneda within the light-weight division, in a struggle she was extensively anticipated to win.
Harper was rated No. 5 within the junior light-weight division, however with this win (which concerned a regional title too) she signaled that she could wish to pursue additional alternatives at 135, and was subsequently moved into the light-weight Prime 5 at No. 5 whereas Yanina Lescano was bumped out.
Changing Harper at No. 5 within the junior light-weight division is Jennifer Han, who will quickly be going through inaugural Ring champion Mikaela Mayer in a title bout.
Though it didn’t result in any modifications in any divisions, the extraordinary welterweight bout between England’s Sandy Ryan and Argentina’s Erica Farias drew quite a lot of feedback from the panel.
“Erica Farias is an all-time nice light-weight, (and) could have earned herself a shot at Chantelle Cameron with the win over Sandy Ryan,” stated Jones, whereas Deserti argued that “preventing as a customer at all times carries the potential for “theft” in favor of the native fighter. Fortunately, this didn’t occur.”
Nonetheless, since Farias weighed merely 141 kilos for this 147-pound struggle, it’s to be assumed that Farias will proceed in search of alternatives at junior welterweight, the place she is already rated No. 1 behind inaugural Ring champion Chantelle Cameron.
“I used to be rooting for Farias,” stated Gutierrez-Beagle. “You’ll be able to by no means underestimate her. No change, however loads of satisfaction from me.”
