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Boxing March Madness 2024
All Photos by Al Applerose
Written by Uppercut Magazine staff
Boxing and basketball, sometimes the two sports mix.
While college basketball was in its final run of the season, boxing was amassed with three eye-popping events in Arizona, Nevada and California.
Pro boxing fans took their pick.
Female prizefighting led the way as two champions in their own right collided in Arizona to determine the true absolute world champion in the minimumweight division. On one side was Costa Rica’s Yokasta Valle the IBF and WBO world titlist. On the other corner was East Los Angeles fighter Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada the WBA and WBC titlist.
Fans had been waiting five years for them to finally meet. On Friday March 29, the two speedy and determined champions displayed their distinct skills for 10 rounds at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Top Rank promoted the showdown and fans packed the arena.
Over 10 rounds the two traded blows nonstop with Estrada showing off her elusive style and Valle displaying her nonstop determination and incredible stamina. Both unleashed a blur of punches that made it difficult for the untrained eye to determine a winner.
After 10 rounds all three judges scored in favor of Seniesa Estrada 97-93. She is now the very first female undisputed minimumweight world champion in history. No other woman in the 105-pound division has accomplished the feat before.
“Mission accomplished,” said Estrada.
Valle did not agree but said it was the judge’s decision.
Las Vegas
Multiple world title fights took place but the most anticipated clash involved WBC and WBO titlist Tim Tszyu of Australia versus late substitute Sebastian Fundora at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday March 30. TGB Promotions staged the card.
During the first round a gash opened up on the top of Tsyzu’s head and blood flowed over his face all through the 12-round fight. The red liquid impeded his vision and in a massive upset the very tall Fundora emerged the split decision winner. He is now the new WBO and WBC world titlist in the super welterweight division.
In a super lightweight clash Mexico’s Isaac “Pit Bull” Cruz floored Rolando “Rolly” Romero early and battered him for seven more rounds until the fight was stopped in the eighth round. The stoppage gave Cruz the WBA world title.
A super welterweight match saw Serhii Bohachuk of the Ukraine go to war against Brian Mendoza for 12 rounds and emerge the winner. The victory gives Bohachuk the WBC interim super welterweight title and sets him as a top contender for whoever wins between Fundora and Tszyu in their rematch.
Los Angeles
Former super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez defeated WBA cruiserweight titlist Arsen Goulamirian by unanimous decision after 12 rounds on Saturday March 30, on the Golden Boy Promotions card.
Ramirez becomes the first Mexican-born fighter in history to win a cruiserweight world title. He was also the first Mexican to win a super middleweight world title. The epic event took place at YouTube Theater in Inglewood.
The win concluded a spectacular March Madness weekend for boxing.
Early on Tim Tszyu took the lead. But a cut on his head impeded his sight and led to a loss against Sebastian Fundora.
Early on Tim Tszyu took the lead. But a cut on his head impeded his sight and led to a loss against Sebastian Fundora.
Isaac Cruz jumped on Rolly Romero early and stopped him to win the WBA super lightweight title.
Isaac Cruz jumped on Rolly Romero early and stopped him to win the WBA super lightweight title.
Mexico's "Pitbull" Cruz was ecstatic by his win.
Mexico's "Pitbull" Cruz was ecstatic by his win.
Ukraine's Serhii Bohachuk defeated tough Brian Mendoza for the interim WBC super welterweight title.
Ukraine's Serhii Bohachuk defeated tough Brian Mendoza for the interim WBC super welterweight title.
East L.A.'s Seniesa Estrada defeated Yokasta Valle to become undisputed minimumweight world champion.
East L.A.'s Seniesa Estrada defeated Yokasta Valle to become undisputed minimumweight world champion.
Mexico's Gilberto Ramirez beat Arsen Goulamirian for WBA cruiserweight title.
Mexico's Gilberto Ramirez beat Arsen Goulamirian for WBA cruiserweight title.
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