Action on the women’s front was pretty much bone dry this week, but not to worry, there are big things on the horizon. In just over a week, two of Mexico’s biggest stars will defend their world titles at a card held at Centro De Convenciones in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico.
In a bout to be contested for the WBO flyweight championship, newly crowned champion Kenia Enriquez (13-0, 6 KO’s) makes her first defense against former titleholder “Mighty” Melissa McMorrow (9-5-3, 1 KO) of San Francisco, California.
At just 21 years old, Enriquez’s stock has been rising sharply over the last year. Since moving her career to the U.S., she racked up five victories in 2014 alone, winning the NABF light flyweight title and most recently, the WBO flyweight world title, shutting out the more experienced Ana Arrazola over 10 rounds. Last weekend, the champ held the first ever all-female amateur tournament in Tijuana, which was a huge success.
She faces her toughest challenge to date in Melissa McMorrow. Melissa’s ring moniker “Mighty” fits her perfectly, and her record isn’t anywhere near reflective of her abilities. A former New York, WIBF, and WBO flyweight champion, she has a distinct edge in experience, having faced the tougher opponents overall, and in 2012 dealt Susi Kentikian, widely considered a top pound for pound competitor, her first defeat in Germany which earned her those two world titles. This will be her third straight trip to lions den, having fought her last two bouts in Mexico and in the opinion of many, being the victim of hometown scoring on both occasions when she was out-pointed by Mariana Juarez in February and Jessica Chavez in August. Both decisions were questionable, and neither opponent it seems, is too eager for a rematch.
The WBA and WBC super bantamweight titles, as well as the WBA “Super” title will on the line when champion Jackie Nava (31-4-3, 13 KO’s) defends against WBO bantamweight champ Mayra Gomez (16-3, 4 KO’s). Since returning from maternity leave of nearly two years, Nava has won three bouts, regaining her WBA title in her return bout and picking up the WBC strap from Alicia Ashley last September. She’s been at the top of the super bantamweight class for 10 years, winning her first world title in February of 2005 and scoring 16 victories in world title contests since then.
Her challenger, Mayra Gomez, may not have the same level of experience, but comes in as the WBO’s bantamweight champion, winning the belt a year ago. The last 18 months have seen her step up her level of opposition, losing a close decision to Carolina Duer, and scoring a pair of decisions over Carolina Gutierrez.
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