Friday night in Kissimmee, Florida, WBO female flyweight champion Melissa McMorrow (8-3-3, 1 KO) successfully defended her title by stopping challenger Yahaira Martinez (7-4, 4 KO’s) in the 9th round. It was the first defense for McMorrow, who won the WBO strap in a huge upset win over Susi Kentikian in
Germany this past May. The stoppage was a first for both ladies: McMorrows first stoppage win and Martinez’ first stoppage loss. This also marked Martinez’ third consecutive loss, and it was also her first fight in over four years. McMorrow was ahead comfortably on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage.
Saturday in Barranquilla, Columbia, Ana Laura Esteche (6-2-1, 2 KO’s) got a second shot at the WBO female lightweight title when she met champion Enis Pacheco (10-1-1, 7 KO’s) in a rematch. The two had met previously in June, with Pacheco retaining her title by a close majority decision. Esteche boxed effectively, using her jab and straight right to keep Pacheco at a safe distance while Pacheco threw wide looping punches from the outside. The champion appeared to be landing the harder punches, but was being out boxed and out landed. Pacheco was less aggressive in the latter half of the bout, possibly due to a cut caused by a clash of heads in the fourth round (Esteche was also cut), this allowed Esteche to back Pacheco to the ropes where she able to land harder punches. In the end however, Esteche still wasn’t able to snag the title; scores of 93-97 (Pacheco), 96-94 (Esteche), and 95-95 ruled the bout a draw with Pacheco retaining the WBO female lightweight title. TYC Sports unofficial scoring also scored the bout a draw.
The vacant WBF female minimum-weight title was won by French boxer Anne Sopie Da Costa (14-0, 6 KO’s) in Ardennes, France. Da Costa won a lopsided, unanimous decision over Teeraporn Pannimit (17-7, 5 KO’s) of Thailand. Pannimit is a former WBO minimum-weight champion and has also fought for the women’s flyweight title. This was Da Costa’s first title bout.
The Global Boxing Council female super featherweight title bout headlined a small card in Germany. Elina Tissen (15-2, 6 KO’s) extended her win streak to nine with a one sided, 10 round decision over Kenyan boxer Jane Kavulani (14-12-2, 5 KO’s)
Returning stateside to North Carolina, another near shutout when Lisa Noel Garland (10-6, 5 KO’s) defeated Kerri Hill (4-24-1, 1 KO) to win the vacant WIBF light welterweight title. It’s the first title for Garland and far from the first defeat for Hill.
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