MVP W and ESPN Join Forces; Begins in April
(Photo by JP Yim)
By David A. Avila
Ever since Jake Paul spotted Amanda Serrano in Puerto Rico battling in a world title match during the Covid-19 epidemic, the puzzles began to fall in place for women’s boxing after suffering years of anonymity.
Times have changed.
Most Valuable Promotions announced on Friday March 6, via social media, that a long-term relationship with ESPN was signed and includes the launch of MVP W a league comprised of women to showcase their talent beginning in April 2026.
On April 5, MVP W presents its first show under the new ESPN deal that will feature Caroline DuBois (12-0-1, 5 Kos) against Terri Harper (16-2-2, 6 Kos) at London. Also on that card super bantam champ Ellie Scotney (11-0) meets champion Mayeli Flores (13-1-1, 4 Kos) for undisputed rights. Former super light champ Chantelle Cameron (21-1, 8 Kos) moves up to super welter to fight Michaela Kotaskova (11-0-4, 2 Kos) for the vacant WBO title.
The first MVP card in America features Alycia Baumgardner (17-1, 7 Kos) defending the super featherweight titles against Bo Mi Re Shin (19-3-3, 10 Kos) on Friday April 17, at Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City. ESPN will televise the MVP card.
Also, on the same card, Shadasia Green (16-1, 11 Kos) defends the super middleweight titles against Lani Daniels (11-4-2) on the co-main event.
It’s a landmark month for women’s boxing.
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) was founded in August 2021 by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian and has produced 30 live boxing events, currently promotes nearly 60 fighters, 17 world champions, and 26 top contenders.
Today, MVP is the global home of women’s boxing. MVP’s Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano in 2022 was the first female fight to headline Madison Square Garden, while Taylor vs. Serrano 2 in 2024 saw 74 million viewers globally on Netflix and became the most-watched professional women’s sports event in US history with 47 million AMA in the US.
It all began when Paul signed Serrano and promoted her first fight against Ireland’s Taylor at Madison Square Garden in April 2022. That fight established women could draw and out-draw a male bout not just in tickets sold, but in viewership. More people watched the Serrano-Taylor fight in person and streamed than a competing male bout headlined by Shakur Stevenson.
Other promoters have dabbled in women’s boxing, but only MVP put all their chips into its success and has emerged with an ESPN contract that runs through 2028.
Gabriela Fundora in Anaheim
Undisputed flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora (17-0, 9 Kos) performs this Saturday March 14, when she defends the titles against Australia’s Viviana Ruiz (10-2) at the Honda Center. DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotion card.
Fundora, 23, is making her sixth world title defense since 2023 when she flattened Arely Mucino. She now holds all four major titles and currently has a three-fight-knockout streak. Will Ruiz be number four?
Ruiz, 43, stands a mere 5’2” and has never been stopped. She is originally from Colombia but now resides in Australia. Can she find a way to invade Fundora’s space though being seven inches shorter?
Most boxing publications rank Fundora among the top 12 female fighters in the world pound-for-pound.
More Fight News
Argentina
Gabriela Alaniz (19-2) won by disqualification over Leiryn Flores (25-8-1) in the third round on Saturday March 7. The flyweight match was held in Buenos Aires. Also, Maria Ferreyra (13-1-1) knocked out Diana Rodriguez (19-5-1) in the sixrh; minimumweight Sol Cudos (11-1-2) beat Daiana Ortiz (6-6-2) in 10; super bantam Lujan Martinez (3-1) beat Veronica Nunez (2-6) after six; light fly Dana Mallen (1-0) knocked out Brisa Aguirre (0-2) in one; and bantam Tatiana Daglio (1-1) beat Sheila Olivera (0-2) in four.
Maria Rodriguez (3-0) knocked out Claudia Loza (1-5) on Friday March 6. The super fly match was held in Parana.
On Saturday March 14, super flies Ayelen Granadino (12-2-4) and Cinthia Gonzalez (4-3-1) meet 10 rounds for the vacant South American title at Buenos Aires. Also, super feathers Florencia Escalante (4-0) and Nicole Morales (3-9-2) meet six.
Australia
Imogen McDonnell (1-0) knocked out Maureen Chand (4-10) in three on Saturday March 7. The super light fight was held in Mount Gambier.
On Friday March 13, flyweights Holly McMath (6-4-1) and Sarah Higginson (4-7-2) meet eight rounds at Northridge.
China
On Sunday March 15, super feathers Dilinaer Maimaiti (2-0) and Manli Lei (1-6-1) meet six rounds at Xi An.
Democratic Republic of Congo
On Saturday March 14, lightweights Niati Misama (3-2) and Divine Kumu (0-0) meet four rounds at Kinshasa.
France
On Friday March 13, super lights Camille Pegol (1-0) and Orsolya Moldovan (2-6) meet six rounds at Compiegne.
Germany
On Saturday March 14, middleweights Chanell Reinhardt (0-0) and Bettina Krumholz (1-13) meet four rounds at Baden-Wurttemberg.
On Saturday March 14, feathers Valentina Wiedenhoefer (2-0) and Tina Bluhm (0-0) meet four rounds at Kehl.
Japan
Yuke Fuke (5-2-1) knocked out Xidi Wang (4-1) in the fifth round on Monday March 9. The super fly match was held in Tokyo.
On Thursday March 12, flyweights Nanae Yamaka (8-1) and Mika Yagio (7-4-1) meet eight rounds in Tokyo. Also, light flies Sazanami Balu (6-0-1) and Carleans Rivas (9-8-4) meet eight rounds.
New Zealand
Emma Nesbitt (12-1) knocked out Banthita Pumkrathok (6-1) in the sixth round on Saturday March 7. The minimumweight fight was held in Auckland.
South Africa
Elizabeth Ndlovu (2-0) beat Emma Mohono (1-4) by decision after four rounds on Sunday March 8. The minimumweight fight was held in Tsakani.
Mapule Ngubane (15-9-3) beat Wendy Gcado (4-2-1) by split decision after eight rounds on Friday March 6. The super middle fight was held in Mooi River. Also, super fly Nonkululeko Mncube (4-0-1) beat Thema Zuma (10-10) in eight; super welter Nobengazi Booth (4-2) beat Noxolo Mkhasibe (3-4) in eight; feather Nolwazi Mabaso (2-2) beat Misiwe Ndlovu (1-1) in six; super middle Ayanda Ndoyela (1-2) beat Nolwazi Myingwa (1-1); and super bantam Lethokuhle Sibisi (2-0) knocked out Anoyolo Qawule (0-1) in three.
On Sunday March 15, super feathers Nomusa Ngema (7-1) and Chiedza Homakoma (8-8-3) meet six rounds at Kagiso.
Spain
Jenifer Fernandez (1-0) won by decision after five rounds versus Debora Rengifo (19-18-1) on Sunday March 8. The featherweight fight was held in Madrid. Also, light fly Clara Cortes (1-0) beat Yeraldin Liendo (0-6) in four.
Carmen Gonzalez (1-0) beat Petra Mezei (0-1) in four on Friday March 6. The minimumweight fight was held in Cordoba.
Tanzania
On Saturday March 14, super flies Sarafina Bela (8-7-1) and Yusra Ramadhani (0-3) meet eight rounds at Dar es Salaam.
Thailand
On Thursday March 12, super feathers Laura Akram (3-0) and Jittamat Phomta (11-13) meet eight rounds at Bangkok.
United Kingdom
Sylwia Doligala (8-2-2) defeated Sydney Chambers (0-4) by decision after six rounds on Saturday March 7. The bantam fight was held in Oldham.
Billy Jarmolinski (3-0) defeated Klaudia Ferenczi (20-128-10) after four rounds on Friday March 6, The bantam match was held in Barnsley.
Uruguay
On Saturday March 14, super lights Sheila Liesegang (5-0) and Ely Munoz (2-8) meet six rounds at Canelones.
USA
Sandra Magallon (2-1) won by decision over Lilian Almaraz (2-6) after six rounds on Saturday March 7. The bantam fight was held in Lincoln, Calif.
Indeya Rodriguez (7-8-3) beat Lia Lewandowski (3-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday March 7. The super fly fight took place in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Carmen Gulliksen (3-2) defeated Breona Vaughn (0-2) by majority decision after four rounds on Saturday March 7. The middleweight fight took place in Richmond, Virginia.
On Friday March 13, super flies Randee Lynn Morales (5-7) and Shynia Jones (0-0) meet four rounds in Denver, Colo.
On Saturday March 14, flyweights Gabriela Fundora (17-0) and Viviana Ruiz (10-2) meet 10 rounds at Anaheim, Calif. for the undisputed world titles.
On Saturday March 14, flies Nayeli Rodriguez (6-1-1) and Maryguenn Vellinga (5-5-2) meet eight rounds at El Paso, Texas. Also, bantams Ivy Enriquez (5-0) and Crystal Hoy (7-13-4) meet six; and welters Ariana Carrasco (0-0) and Tennielle Young (0-0) meet four.
