Report and photos: Boxing Bob Newman
The 2nd annual WBC Female convention closed today in Tijuana, Mexico after the final morning session which included unfinished awards, more guest speakers and a discussion on mandatory defenses.
Juan Carlos Pelayo of the Tijuana commission accepted an award honoring the commission’s excellence in boxing administration.
Blanca Gutierrez of Baby Face Boxing Promotions and the ambitious Beautiful Brawlers amateur shows gave an impassioned speech about her efforts in promoting the female sport, working with WBC heavyweight champion Martha Salazar and others.
Wanda Bruce of the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame announced the inductees for 2016 as follows:
Sumya Anani
Britt Van Buskirk
Jane Crouch
Elena Reid
Ann Marie Saccurato
Marian “Lady Tyger” Trimiar
Jane Couch
Jisselle Salandy
Ed Pearson was recognized for breaking ground as the first president of the WBC female division.
A possible first tonight as the Caiz family will comprise all four ring officials in tonight’s title fight. Raul, Sr. will referee as children Carla, Sergio and Raul, Jr. will judge. Guinness is looking to see if this qualifies as a world record.
Elena Cox, who has worked with many powerful non-profits in resource development, lent her input to the WBC on “Power” and “Acceptance” as means to further develop the female division in the future.
WBC Female president Malte Müller-Michaelis quickly went through the mandatories. In brief, here are some noteworthy situations:
Heavyweight: champion Martha Salazar literally stepped off the hotel elevator and within moments a match was made with Mexican Alejandra Jimenez to be held in Mexico, where Salazar has always wanted to fight.
Super Middle: Nikki Adler is in voluntary mode
Middleweight: Maricela Cornejo will face Kali Ries in New Zealand for the vacant belt
Super Welter: Mikaela Lauren will face Oxandia Castillo
Welter: Four belt unified champ Cecilia Braekhus will make her long awaited return to the ring after a year plus out due to injury
Super Light: Erika Farias will drop down in weight for a rematch with Lightweight champ Delfine Persoon, with BOTH titles on the line, ala Sugar Ray Leonard and Donny LaLonde.
Light: See above
Super Feather: Eva Wahlstroem will face Dihanna Santana on March 18.
Feather: Edith Matthyssee will rematch with Jelena Mrdjenovich
Super Bantam: Guinness world record holder Alicia Ashley will announce her voluntary defense soon
Bantam: Yazmin Rivas will face mandatory Catherine Phiri tonight in Rosarito, Mexico
Super Fly: Zulina Muñoz will defend March 12 vs TBA
Flyweight: A tournament is being created with great enthusiasm in this talent-rich division to determine a challenger for champ Jessica Chavez. Fighters on hand who are lining up to participate are Melissa McMorrow, Raja Amasheh and Elena Moreno.
Light Fly: Ibeth Zamora in voluntary status
Minimum: Yuko Kuroki began negotiations with #1 rated Anabel Ortiz at the microphone on before the WBC Female directorate!
Atom: Longest reigning female champ Momo Koseki is training for her next defense (#17) at this time
Both Ava Knight and Maricela Cornejo gave tearful, thankful words for what the WBC Female division has meant to their careers and lives.
With that Jill Diamond pledged that the WBC female program and female boxing in general will move forward and upward, undeterred. [See image gallery at www.fightnews.com]
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