2018 is destined to be EPIC in increased exposure of the women’s game.
Top matchups are being made, TV (even though streaming media is the future with our busy lifestyles and the level of accessibility) is increasing the coverage, athlete values are increasing.
A new breed of athletes is engulfing the sport, from the amateur ranks.
It is an exciting time for Women’s Boxing and to be #WomenofBoxing.
2017 ends with 16 Unbeaten Champions (in no particular order):
Cecilia Brækhus (32-0, 9 KOs) still tops all charts, being the P4P Queen with all the belts within the Welterweight division. While Layla McCarter is her IBF mandatory opponent, no advances are seeming to be happening on this front. Instead, Brækhus is looking and talking about facing UFC Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg more.
In February, Brækhus nearly shutout mandatory Klara Svensson. In June, she cruised past WBC Super Lightweight Champion, Erica Farias. Closing out, the champ stopped Mikaela Lauren in a Nordic rematch. The Norway Champion is eyeing her US debut in 2018.
Claressa Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) is on a collision course for WBC and WBO Middleweight Champion, Christina Hammer and possibly lower to Cecilia Brækhus.
“T-Rex” won the WBC and vacant IBF crowns by completely decimating previously undefeated German Nikki Adler on ShoBox in her second ShoBox Main Event opportunity in August. In her first ShoBox telecast, Shields stopped Szilvia Szabados to earn the NABF Middleweight Championship.
Christina Hammer (22-0, 10 KOs) is now signed to a multi-fight contract with Salita Promotions to eventually be squared up with Shields after a return to dominance.
After capturing the WBO Middleweight crown in 2016, Hammer cruised past Maria Lindberg before disposing of Gifty Amanua Ankrah in November.
Katie Taylor (8-0, 4 KOs) has been one of the hottest pro athletes since making the jump to professional ranks just over a year ago.
Taylor dominated 6 bouts in 2017, including a UD victory to claim the WBA strap from Anahi Esther Sanchez and a turnaround defense win six weeks later over Jessica McCaskill.
Rose Volante (12-0, 6 KOs) becomes yet another bigtime player within the Lightweight division, joining Champions Katie Taylor, Delfine Persoon, Victoria Bustos, Nicole Wesner, and more.
Volante closed out the 2017 championship campaign by earning the WBO title by points win over Brenda Carabajal during the holidays.
Hyun Mi Choi (15-0-1, 4 KOs) continues her stronghold on the WBA since capturing the championship belt in 2014.
The North Korean Choi successfully defended her title twice in 2017, a Unanimous Decision over Kimika Miyoshi and a Technical Decision win over Jessica Gonzalez.
Alejandra Jimenez (10-0, 8 KOs) dominates the Heavyweight division. The WBC Champion keeps mowing through the competition with a huge path of destruction.
2017 say Jimenez stop Carlette Ewell, Martha Patricia Lara Gaytan, Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, and Maria Jose Velis.
Tori Nelson (17-0-3, 2 KOs) is entering 2018 with a Battle for the Zero (Losses) with Claressa Shields on January 12th. At 41 years of age with 16 more fights of experience and numerous championship belts, Nelson is still the underdog.
Nelson returned to action in November with a stoppage of Latashia Burton.
Eva Wahlstrom (21-0-1, 3 KOs) has to be feeling the hot breath of the very active IBF Champion Maiva Hamadouche.
The 37 year old Finnish Super Featherweight keeps her unbeaten streak going with Decision victories over Mayra Alejandra Gomez in her WBC championship defense then an 8-Round win against Irma Balijagic Adler.
Segolene Lefebvre (9-0, 1 KOs) keeps proving that besides skills she has plenty of grit and determination.
2017 was Majestic with Lefebvre being donned the WBF Super Bantamweight Champion by stopping Simone Da Silva Duarte in March. In November, she defended the belt with a narrow points win over Naroyuki Koasicha.
Verena Kaiser (10-0, 5 KOs) entered the Welterweight championship mix with four victories in 2017, including GBU and WIBF championship win in September. There is plenty of Welterweight competition in Europe to see how tough she is.
Sabrina Perez (15-0-1, 2 KOs) has been inactive in 2017, but with the championship experience she has, who knows what the future holds.
Leonela Yudica (13-0-3) has a countrywoman, Anahi Lopez, biting at her heels in the Flyweight division.
Yudica has been near perfect since her tough challenge from Tyrieshia Douglas in 2015. In 2017, she breezed through Carolina Alvarez and Yunoka Furukawa in her IBF Championship defenses.
Ewa Brodnicka (14-0, 2 KOs) progressed from best of Europe to Champion of the World.
In May, Brodnicka shut out Irma Balijagic Adler over 10 Rounds to capture the interim WBO Super Featherweight Championship. She went right back to camp for a Split Decision win over Viviane Obernauf a mere six weeks later.
Debora Dionicius (26-0, 6 KOs) continues her five year control over her IBF Super Flyweight championship.
2017 saw dominating display of skill against previously undefeated Diana Fernandez before a 9th Round TKO win over challenging Julieta Cardozo in November.
Nicole Wesner (14-0, 6 KOs) is looking towards a glorious 2018 after returning from knee surgery this year.
Wesner defended her WBF, GBU, and WIBF Lightweight belts successfully in July over Hasna Tukic before requiring surgery. In December, she returned with a strong showing against Lela Terashvili on points.
Jay Kemp, #NextGenChamp
Northwest Chicago Suburb native that has an aptitude for development of sports. Sports is my life, from youth to professional levels. I make things happen! I AM GOLDEN! Sports BIZness specialties include marketable presentation, public relations, sponsorship acquisition and retention, up-to-date marketing strategies, charitable projects and how they translate into positive public image. In addition to boxing, I am a nationally certified coach in the sports of lacrosse, soccer, and wrestling, with ties to many other sports. Telephone: 224-627-3777
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