Women's boxing takes a stand
“Destiny” to crown undisputed queen of welters; Holm-Saccurato top a three-title fight, landmark card for women’s boxing on ‘Best Damn Women’s Fight Night’

Text and photos by Chris Cozzone

It would be simple enough to borrow a few lines of text from the press packet, or use a quote or two from the promoter, from my scribbled down notes, to deliver the importance of Thursday night’s card in New Mexico, but Kelsey Jeffries, one of six world class fighters featured on the three-title, first-ever, all-female boxing card to air on non-pay-per-view cable TV, best summed it up today at the final press conference:

“I don’t speak . . . very good,” she started with a crackly voice that revealed an apparent uneasiness to talk before crowds and media. “These,” she held up her fists, “are my talkers.

“But, we’re here to change this shit. We’re here to change the way people think about women’s boxing. This is a league of our own, and we’re all going to explode come Thursday.”

Foregoing mention of belts and sanctioning bodies—there’s probably not a single ABC not involved on the card—undefeated records and world contention, Jeffries jabbed at the heart what’s at stake two nights from now:

If women’s boxing wants to make an argument of legitimacy, make a mark for parity with men’s boxing, Thursday night’s six champs and challengers must put on a show.

Holm-Saccurato for queen of welters

The card, promoted by Fresquez Productions, with the aid of A Ring of Their Own, is billed as “Destiny.”

In the main event of the FOX Sports Network-televised, Best Damn Sports Show Period card, Albuquerque’s Holly Holm (16-1-2, 4 KOs), holder of two world titles (WBA at 147, IFBA at 154), and Ann Marie Saccurato (12-1-2, 5 KOs), of White Plains, NY, holder of the WBC lightweight belt, will duke it out for all four major world titles at 147, in addition to two minor belts.

For the first time in women’s boxing history, though, short it is, the winner will be crowned undisputed queen of welterweights, earning Holm’s WBA belt and the vacant WBC, IFBA and WIBA titles, plus the IBA and GBU trinkets.

For promoter Lenny Fresquez, it’ll also mark back-to-back historic fights for New Mexico. Last month, on Feb. 23, five-time world champion Johnny Tapia fought his final fight. This time around, should the Fresquez-promoted hometown champ win, Holm will become the first New Mexican female champ with five world titles, the sole fighter to fight for six belts in a single contest, and the first female champ anywhere on the planet to hold all four major belts.

If Isleta Casino & Resort had a sportsbook (this is not Vegas), Holm would probably be a 3-1 favorite, having not only the hometown crowd behind her but weight, height and reach advantages over the optimally-135-pound challenger, Saccurato.

“Like the billboards say, this is ‘Destiny,’” said Saccurato. “But this is my destiny.

“I am amped up for this. I know she will give everything she has. I know she will come to fight—but so will I. Let’s roll.”

Holm called this fight, “a challenge guaranteed,” and called it her toughest.

“I’ve come a long way from my first fight—when I showed up in soccer shorts and running shoes. It’s a lot to take in, when I think how I got to this point.

“But I’ve trained harder for this one than I’ve ever had. You’re going to get bell to bell punching on this show, from the first fight to the main event."

Chavez defends IFBA jr. feather belt in daring rematch with Brown

In the second televised co-feature, Jackie Chavez (9-2, 3 KOs) of Los Lunas, NM, takes a big risk in the first defense of her IFBA jr. featherweight belt in two years, by taking on the fighter responsible for her first loss, Lisa “Bad News” Brown (12-3-3, 4 KOs), of Ontario, Canada by way of Trinidad.

“I gave her a list of names to pick from,” said promoter Lenny Fresquez, “but Jackie took the toughest one. That’s who she wanted.”

Two years ago in Brown’s country-of-birth, Trinidad and Tobago, Chavez suffered her first pro loss in a lopsided decision loss to Brown.

“I have no excuses,” says Brown. “I lost and I will always admit it when I lose.

“But I won’t give up. I won’t stop trying. I will give it my all.”

Brown returned the respect, calling the rematch a “test for both of us.”

Jeffries defends IFBA feather belt in possible show-stealer with undefeated Luna

In the opening televised bout, Kelsey Jeffries (36-9-1, 3 KOs), of Gilroy, Cal., will defend her IFBA featherweight belt against undefeated Rhonda “The Natural” Luna (12-0-1, 1 KO) of Rowland Heights, Cal.

“This is a defining moment,” said Luna. “You can allow it to define you, or you can define the moment.

“I’m in the best shape of my life, and this is what I’ve been working for. I have a lot of respect for Kelsey, and I’ve known for some time that, sooner or later, this fight would happen.

“But I fear no one.”

Jeffries, trained by Buddy McGirt, said that Luna had taken a big step up in taking her on.

“It says a lot about her,” said Jeffries. “She is confident and that means this is going to be a great fight.

“My heart, it’s bigger than this friggin’ state.”

Undercard

Three local bouts open up the show.

In the curtain raiser, Santa Fe featherweight, Clara De La Torre, will make her pro debut against Albuquerque’s Leanne Villareal (1-11-1, 1 KO), who will attempt to put the breaks on a nine-bout losing streak before a commission gets smart enough to put the breaks on her.

In a four-round lightweight bout, Albuquerque’s Willie Villanueva (4-0) is in for what appears to be a routine win over unknown Las Cruces debuter Derek Lopez.

In an eight-rounder at jr. middle, Bloomfield welter Joe “Ironman” Gomez (9-1-1, 3 KOs) takes on tougher-than-his-record-indicates Michael “Mad Dog” Sobernanis (7-12-2), of San Antonio, Tex.

. . . .

The casino expects another sell-out show and marketing director Jaci Marx says $25 tickets are scarce, with only $50-$75 ducats remaining. Call 505-244-8191 for tickets.

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