(Photo by Rolando Villegas, El Deber)
"The Bolivian Queen" Jennifer Salinas won a 10-round unanimous decision over "La Diablita" Yolis Marrugo Franco of Colombia Saturday to capture the WBF (World Boxing Federation) Super Bantamweight title at Estadio Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera, in Santa Cruz De La Sierra, Bolivia.
The bout was a homecoming for Salinas, who was born in Virginia but raised in Bolivia. The fans came out in droves, according to the internet site El Deber who reported that more than 10,000 people were at the contest.
Salinas won by scores of 99-90 (twice) and 99-91. It's Salinas's first title and it raises her record to 15-3, four KO's. Franco falls to 15-9-3, seven KO's. By the way, the bout was contested in 10 three-minute rounds instead of two-minute rounds.
In the week leading up to the contest, there was a minor controversy as to whether the WBF title was, in fact, a recognized "world title." BATB will consider it as such unless others more involved in the women's division say otherwise.
What this would mean that in my almost 30 years of covering Beltway Boxing, I have reported on 15 world champions from the area. Four of those titilists -- Hasim Rahman, Lamont Peterson, Tori Nelson and Salinas -- won their titles during the BATB era.
We have found the footage of the bout as it was shown live throughout South America -- the commentary is in Spanish.
WBF IS NOT a recognized "World Title." Since when does BATB decide what is "recognized" and what isn't. WBF doesnt even have their own rankins. They go off of boxrec. Look at your WBF champions, 95% of those champions are unknown. The WBF title is a joke.
ReplyDeleteThere are only 4 "World Championships" that are recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame as "World Titles" and those are the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO.
ReplyDeleteThere was no "minor controversy" about whether WBF is recognized as a "world title". It isn't, plain and simple.
Congrats for winning a minor title, but don't start making up your own rules of what is "recognized" Gary.
The women's division runs a little differently then the men's division. Only the WBC really has a strong women's division. The WIBA is considered a world title in women's boxing. I'm checking if the WBF is as well in WOMEN'S BOXING.
ReplyDeleteeverything in life is a matter of ones own perception . There are obviously a lot of people that think Salinas won a world title
ReplyDeleteand I bet if you ask the ten thousand people that attended the fight all of them would consider the title valid.
Don't hate, appreciate.
Love and kisses from Billy Bob.
I agree good win, it just isn't a recognized "world title"
ReplyDeleteDusty Harrison is the WBC Youth Champion. Gary, do you recognize him as a "World Champion?"
ReplyDeleteNo, because the WBC does not recognize it as a world title. It is recognized as a youth title.
ReplyDeleteThought people on this page would be educated enough boxing fans to realize things are different in women's boxing.
ReplyDeleteBefore someone bashes one of these women's title organizations and questions the legitimacy of a belt, please tell me how the so-called "legitimate" boxing sanctioning organizations can simply make up a bunch of additional titles and belts to supplement their main title belts -- which they shamelessly do all the time -- and get away with it.
ReplyDeleteI gave up respecting the "rankings" of boxing sanctioning organizations years ago when most organizations refused to rank champions who hold other world title belts. How can you refuse to rank a boxer, who clearly is one of the top ten best fighters in the world in his or her division, simply because he or she is recognized by another organization as a world champion?
ReplyDeleteWhich brings me to an even more troubling question: Why do many boxing sanctioning organizations feel that they have the right to deny someone a ranking in their organization just because the person chose to compete in, and win, a championship bout sanctioned by another organization? It is very clear that many organizations do not want their champions fighting in bouts sanctioned by other organizations (unless there is a dual sanctioning arrangement agreed upon). Boxers, once again, end up getting the short end of the stick in terms of title bout opportunities, public recognition and serious paydays.
WBC may call it a World Youth Title, but here is the truth: The Youth World Boxing Championships are not for kids and they are not for amateur fighters or amateurs who want to move into the professional ranks. The program is for professional boxers with the merits to become champions of the world. The Youth World Boxing Championships gives boxers their first steps into championship fights. These steps are taken with much care and consideration by everyone who is concerned with their futures. I am pleased to announce the change in the maximum age to contest for our title to 23 years 11 months.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to working with all the boxers, managers, trainers, commissioners and promoters who have worked to make the YWBC the leading youth boxing organization in the world.
Please contact me at any time concerning this program.
Thank you, Rex Ross Walker
Chairman
WBC Youth World Boxing Championships
You're right! Here is the entire fight on youtube and they never once call it a World title fight. Dusty gets clocked in the 3rd. round.
ReplyDeleteYOUTUBE.COM
Dusty Harrison vs. Josh Torres - WBC Youth Welterweight Title Bout
6rd dummy
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Jenny and Coach Craig. That's two world title holders in his stable now.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I checked Christina hammer considered by many to be the pound for pound best female boxer in the world holds the WBF middleweight title and is considered to be number 1 in the world. As is Maria lindberg of Sweden at junior middle weight WBF champion. Many great boxers hold that belt including the current heavyweight champion of the world in men's boxing. It is what it is, if salinas can keep winning it really won't matter what belt you carry, respect will come from the fights you fight,case in point Tori Nelson.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Jennifer! To win a world title (and yes it's okay to call the WBF a world title in the women's division) in the country of your family's heritage, and the country you spent many years living in, that must be a HUGE feeling of accomplishment for her! I say big ups to you Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteI know Jennifer Salinas is determined to win more titles and it's just a matter of time before she collects more belts. She lived, worked and boxed in Grand Rapids, Michigan where other great world champions have hailed! I trust someone in the media will connect the dots. She is a great American success story. Hispanic Americans are proud of Jenny!
ReplyDelete-Dr. Jose' A. Flores, Publisher-The Community Voice/La Voz Magazine, www.lavozweb.com