The Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) announced their nominees a couple days ago for the inaugural Christy Martin Female Fighter of the Year.
Voting by the BWAA members will be open until Friday, January 19, 2018.
Nominees:
Ceclia Brækhus (32-0, 9 KOs) – WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF, IBO Welterweight Champion
The “First Lady” competed in three bouts in 2017, for the first time since 2014. 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. Hopefully, we get to see Brækhus face mandatory opponent Layla McCarter but the champ speaks more on facing Cris Cyborg. Time will tell.
Jessica Chavez (30-4-3, 4 KOs) – WBC Flyweight Champion
“Kika” Chavez dominated the Flyweight division in defense of her title in winning the WBC Diamond Championship tournament in 2017. In May, she moved through Mexican countrywoman Ana Arrazola before crushing Esmeralda Moreno in late September. The Finale also stood for humanity as the event helped support those affected by the Mexico Earthquakes.
Naoko Fujioka (17-2, 7 KOs) – WBO Light Flyweight Champion
Japan’s Fujioka joins Amanda Serrano as the only female boxers to have won major world titles in five different weight divisions when she outworked Costa Rica’s previously unbeaten Yokasta Valle to claim the vacant WBO title in December. In her other 2017 bout, Fujioka stopped Isabel Millan to become the WBA Flyweight Champion.
Mariana Juarez (47-9-4, 18 KOs) – WBC Bantamweight Champion
Mexico’s legend and future Hall of Famer, Juarez moved back up to Bantamweight to earn the WBC World Championship from Catherine Phiri in April before successfully defending twice in 2017. At 37 years old and World Champion Over and Over for almost 20 years, “La Barby” shows no signs at slowing down.
Amanda Serrano (34-1-1, 26 KOs) – WBO Super Bantamweight Champion
Puerto Rican superstar Serrano became the first female boxer to triumph to World Champion with in five different weight divisions. in 2017, “Real Deal” Serrano disposed of 43 fight veteran Dahiana Santana to earn the distinction in April. Serrano also outworked Mexican Yazmin Rivas on Showtime in January in the first national televised world title bout (WBC Diamond title) in nearly a decade.
Claressa Shields (4-0, 2 KOs) – WBC and IBF Super Middleweight Champion
Former 2x Olympic Gold Medalist Shields is tearing up the Super Middleweight division in anticipation of lower division champions. “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. She is on a collision course for WBC and WBO Middleweight Champion, Christina Hammer and possibly lower to Cecilia Brækhus.
Katie Taylor (8-0, 4 KOs) – WBA Lightweight Champion
Decorated Irish amateur standout turned professional late in 2016 and quickly became a name of notice while earning her first world title within her first year of professional competition. 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.
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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