Super Flyweight Traffic Jam in the West and More News
(Photo by Al Applerose)
By David A. Avila
In women’s boxing different regions are known for dominance in certain weight classes. The heavier weight classes are east of the Mississippi River and the lighter weight classes are in the western regions of North America extending to Asia.
Next week two elite super flyweights will clash again for the WBC version of the world title when Adelaida “Cobra” Ruiz (18-1-1, 7 Kos) of California meets Texan Ginny Fuchs (4-0, 1 KO) on Saturday July 18, at Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, Calif. ProBox.TV will stream the card on its YouTube.com. channel.
Expect a blur of blows.
It was nearly two years ago that Fuchs and Ruiz first met in Carson, Ca. at the Dignity Health Sports Park. From the opening bell they unleashed an extraordinary amount of blows for 10 consecutive rounds. It would have captured the Fight of the Year if not for Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano’s ferocious affair later in that same year. But Fuchs picked up the interim WBC super fly title.
“That definitely was my toughest fight,” Fuchs said about her first encounter with Ruiz on August 2024.
Fuchs suffered a broken thumb in that contest against Ruiz in August 2024. This will be her first boxing match since then. Meanwhile, Ruiz fought twice more including the WBC world title match against Canada’s Alexas Kubicki. The Southern California fighter now wields the actual WBC super fly title.
“I think I was too comfortable in that fight. I needed to let that dog out of me. I need to let it go,” said Ruiz about her first encounter with Fuchs that ended in a split-decision loss.
Other super flyweights reside or train in Southern California
Japan’s Mizuki Hiruta holds the WBO super flyweight world title. Hiruta is no stranger to Ruiz. Both train in Los Angeles and have sparred each other before. The Japanese southpaw trains with Manny Robles who has picked up a reputation for training female fighters like Ramla Ali, Lupe Medina, Perla Bazuldua and others.
Robles gym in South Gate has become boxing central for top pro female combatants. Ruiz frequently visits that gym. She trains in another gym in South Gate with her father.
Another famed trainer for female fighters in the Los Angeles area is Ben Lira in South El Monte, Calif. The last super flyweight he worked with is Naoko Fujioka who was just recently inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame. In the past, he worked with Gabriela Fundora the current undisputed flyweight champion of the world and Lourdes Juarez the current WBC light flyweight world titlist. He also guided the other Juarez sister Mariana “Barby” Juarez early in her career.
Both Japan and Mexico have an abundance of super flyweights.
Mexico City’s Irma Garcia currently holds the IBF title and is a 45-year-old southpaw. It seems super flyweights age gracefully. Adelaida Ruiz is 37, Ginny Fuchs 38, and Nataly Delgado I 31. Mizuki Hiruta is the youngest at 30.
Garcia captured the IBF version two years ago in Los Angeles when she floored Italy’s Stephanie Silva on her way to a unanimous decision win. Known primarily as a boxer, Garcia has recently discovered her power and used this weaponry against Maria Martinez and Emma Dolan in her world title defenses. She has pop.
The newest world titlist is Panama’s Nataly Delgado who toppled Jasmine Artiga from the WBA strap this past June. It was Delgado’s first boxing match in the USA. Of course, Artiga is still in the mix for top super flyweights. She is signed with Most Valuable Promotions and will get work.
Aside from the world champions there are some talented contenders including the fiery LeAnna Cruz of Allentown, Penn. She was also signed by MVP and seems ready for a world title shot now.
MVP already has two super flyweight titlists in Delgado and Garcia. Rumor has it that negotiations have begun with Japan’s Mizuki “Mimi” Hiruta to sign with them. She was recently voted Female Fighter of the Year by various publications.
Another high flying super fly to watch is Perla Bazaldua who trains in the same gym as Hiruta, Lupe Medina and others. She is another hot prospect at 21 who has been sparring pros since she was 14.
The super flyweights are a talented division. Next week two of its elite representatives will clash to decide who remains or becomes a world champion.
More Fight News
Argentina
Iara Altamirano (10-2-1) defeated Brenda Perez (0-6) by decision after four rounds on Saturday July 4. The super featherweight fight took place in Malvinas. Also, bantams Leonela Yudica (20-2-4) and Mia Nievas (3-5-3) drew after six rounds.
Australia
Bernadette Connors (1-0) beat Mishelle Macatangay (2-2) by split decision after eight rounds on Saturday July 4. The Australian flyweight title fight took place in Yagoona.
On Friday July 10, lightweights Taylah Gentzen (8-2) and Stasia Waimaria (4-1) meet eight rounds at Fortitude Valley.
China
On Saturday July 11, bantamweights Xinyao Fu (0-0) and Mingyue Guo (0-0) meet four rounds at Changsha.
Colombia
On Friday July 10, welterweights Monica Henao (6-4-6) and Nadja Santos (5-0) meet six rounds at Barranquilla. Also, super bantams Karen Chacon (2-0) and Ana Lopez (2-0-1) meet six.
France
Estelle Mossely (13-0-1) won by split decision after 10 rounds versus Karen Carabajal (25-4) on Saturday July 4. The super lightweight match was held in Creteil.
Germany
Meryem Binbir (1-0) knocked out Diana Pappne (0-6) in the first round on Saturday July 4. The bantamweight fight took place in Goeppingen.
India
On Saturday July 11, lightweights Babita Rani (4-0) and Virpal Kaur (1-7-1) meet four rounds at Fatehabad. Also, welters Soniya Naresh (1-0) and Alka Kherwa (0-1) meet four; light heavies Mansi Budhwar (2-0) and Priya Kumari (0-0) meet four; super lightweights Mansha Kadamwal (0-2) and Divyansha Sharma (0-0) meet four; and welters Hitee Jagvir (1-0) and Chahak Chauhan (0-0) meet four, super flies Kajal Dilbagh (0-0) and Mamta (0-0) meet four; feathers Mannu Sajjan (0-1) and Sadbhawan Siman (0-0) meet four; super lights Kavita Devi (1-0) and Kanishka Singh (0-0) meet four; and welters Janui Kesarvani (0-2) and Sakshi Aarya (0-0) meet four.
On Saturday July 11, featherweights Shabna KM (0-0) and Veeramma Veeramma (0-1) meet four rounds at Kozhikode.
Indonesia
Monica Ayu Kanditya Dewi (1-0) defeated Dina Aulia (0-1) by decision after four rounds on Sunday July 5. The super featherweight fight was held in Jakarta. Also, super fly Anita Meli Yuningsih (1-0) beat Melia Munawaroh (0-1) after four.
Ireland
On Friday July 10, lightweights Zara Breslin (1-0) and Eva Cantos (9-29-1) meet six rounds at Dublin. Also, Sarah Murphy (4-0) and Angelika Oles (4-17) meet six.
Italy
Pamela Sawa (11-0) knocked out Mahjouba Oubtil (7-7-2) in the first round on Saturday July 4. The lightweight match was held in Rome.
On Saturday July 11, minimumweights Vittoria Parigi Bini (7-1-1) and Chaima Bounouar (6-0) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Venice. Also, lightweights Arianna Tonello (5-0-1) and Ksenija Medic (4-41-3) meet six.
Puerto Rico
On Saturday July 11, super lightweights Edith Matthysse (21-16-1) and Litzy Vazquez (8-0) meet 10 rounds for regional title at San Juan. DAZN will stream Salita Promotions card.
Thailand
Aylin Jamez (3-0) defeated Nikole Holmers (2-1) by decision after four rounds on Sunday June 27. The match was held in Perez Zeledon. Also, Nicole Bustos (1-0) beat Noyling Ampie (0-2) after four.
On Sunday July 12, light flyweights Panida Chatluang (10-12) and Pattarawadee Somkaeo (2-2) meet six rounds at Bangkok. Also, Aorasa Prapasa (0-1) and Prangwilai Wangbun (5-2) meet six; and minimumweights Natthanicha Tapethong (0-0) and Banthita Pumkrathok (6-1) meet six.
United Kingdom
On Sunday July 12, flyweights Megan Redstall (7-0-1) and Maisy Courtney (9-1) meet 10 rounds for a regional title at Brentwood. DAZN will stream.
USA
On Saturday July 11, bantamweights Eli Salinas (1-0-1) and Sarah Click (2-13-2) meet four rounds at Friant, California.
