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The Gettysburg of Female Prizefighting
By David A. Avila (April 18, 2003)
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In central California there are two fight cards tonight within 50 miles of each other that will be the Gettysburg of women’s boxing, a defining moment in the female world of prizefighting.
“I wish I were on that fight card,” said Melissa Del Valle, the WIBA junior bantamweight title-holder and one of the best in her sport. “The women fighting on that card are great.”
It’s a roster of some of the best female 'Pound for Pound' prizefighters in the world and would make any promoter envious, if it were men. But the fight card at the Palace Indian Gaming Center in Lemoore, California is packed with an array of female boxers who are not known to the casual fan. Maybe after it’s ended people will look back and say that was the weekend when women’s boxing took a leap.
Though many fight fans know the men’s best fighters Pound for Pound, the list of women’s upper echelon fighters remains vague. However, this past year, several female fighters broke out of the pack and have burned their stamp of greatness with proven performances.
A few of the top fighters in the world are included in the fight card at the Palace Indian Gaming Center and a few more who should be on that list after a few major fights such as the one they are participating.
Laura Serrano (15-0-1) will be taking on Isra Girgrah (23-3-2) in a battle of lightweights and showcase of female boxing at its best.
Serrano turned pro several years ago but wasn’t coddled when she made her debut against none other than Christy Martin. Despite facing a more experienced and heavier opponent. Serrano was able to gain a draw with Martin who at the time was considered to be the best woman fighter in the world.
Now the Mexican fighter faces Girgrah, who has been on the throes of greatness but unable to attract the marquee fight. Now she has it.
In another contest, Sumya Anani (20-1-1), who actually beat Martin several years earlier, will be facing Fredia Gibbs (9-1-1) in a rematch of a fight that ended in a draw. The winner of this fight will surely gain recognition.
Gibbs is a friend and corner person for Mia Rosales-St. John (27-2-1) who fights the next night at the Selland Arena in Fresno against Jennifer Alcorn (15-0), who holds one of the lightweight title belts. Fresh off of an impressive showing against Martin, St. John has been willing to face any of the top female fighters as long as it offers a decent payday.
The smallest of the fighters, but not the least talented, will be Canada’s Vaia Zaganas defending her strawweight title against Atlanta’s Nina Ahlin. Zaganas (7-1) now lives in Las Vegas and has shown that her pretty extensive amateur experience is paying off. Ahlin (10-3-1) had retired for a while but has returned to see if she can win a world title. She faces a tough task.
“I’m really looking forward to this fight,” said Zaganas, who will be defending her IFBA title in a fight that is scheduled to be shown on ESPN. “I’m excited about fighting in front of television.”
Fresno’s Lisa Lewis (5-6) was scheduled to fight Jessica Rackoczy who pulled out. Now Lewis will face another Las Vegas fighter in Layla McCarter (14-9-4), a busy fighter who recently scored a win over Tracy Byrd, who captured the world title a few weeks ago.
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