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Naoko Fujioka (13-1, 6 KO’s) came up big this weekend, travelling to Naucalpan, Mexico and scoring an upset split decision over home fighter and WBC International super flyweight title holder Mariana Juarez (40-8-3, 17 KO’s). Fujioka, a former two division world champion, edged Juarez by scores of 97:93, 98:93, and 94:96, controlling the latter half of what was a close contest over the first five rounds. The victory, which also earner her ‘La Barbie’s” title, comes after a close decision loss to world champion Susi Kentikian in November. Juarez had won four straight after a stunning first round stoppage loss to Riyo Togo nearly two years ago. This was the second time in two weeks that a Mexican title holder has been beaten on their home turf; on February 28th, San Francisco’s Melissa McMorrow won a split decision over previously undefeated Kenia Enriquez to reclaim the WBO flyweight title.
WBC bantamweight champion Yazmin Rivas (32-8, 9 KO’s) successfully defended her title for the second time, winning a one sided unanimous decision over Celina Salazar (6-2-2, 1 KO) by scores of 100:90, 99:91, and 98:92. This is Rivas’s third run as a world champion, having held the IBF bantamweight and WBA super flyweight titles previously. Salazar had never fought in a title bout before, but was beaten but former world champion Ana Julaton in 2013.
Nydia Feliciano (8-6-3) won a non-title bout in Tampa, Florida, taking six round decision over Noemi Bosques (8-2-2, 2 KO’s) at the A La Carte Event Pavilion. The IWBF bantamweight champ won the world title in July of 2013 and lost two following bouts to Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent respectively with neither being for the belt. This was the second loss for Bosques, who dropped a six rounder to Kenia Enriquez in February of last year.
Word is that former super bantamweight champ Ana Julaton (14-4-1, 2 KO’s) could fight for a world title in her next contest. The boxer-turned-MMA fighter made a successful return to the ring last week, taking a six round decision in a rematch with Yolanda Segura. Up next according to trainer Angelo Reyes, is a possible bout against current IBF super bantamweight champ Yulihan Alejandra Luna Avila (12-2, 1 KO) who became champ this past November.