Philippines, 23 Apr 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


MERCADO AND ALI WORLD TITLE CLASH CONFIRMED FOR PHOENIX

PhilBoxing.com





Mexican defends WBC Super-Bantamweight crown against Somali-Briton on June 29

Yamileth Mercado will defend her WBC World Super-Bantamweight title against Ramla Ali at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday June 29, live worldwide on DAZN.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT TICKETMASTER.COM

Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed at a press conference for the event in Phoenix on Wednesday that talks were at an advanced stage for the fight and can now confirm a second World title battle on the card, topped by the blockbuster clash between Juan Francisco Estrada and Jesse Rodriguez for the WBC World and Ring Magazine Super-Flyweight titles.

Mercado (23-3 5 KOs) defends her title for the seventh time after winning the strap in November 2019 and will fight in the States for the just the second time in Phoenix, having taken on Amanda Serrano in Cleveland in August 2021. The long-reigning Mexican pitched a shut-out in her last defense in April in Tijuana, dominating Linda Laura Lecca over the ten round distance.

“I’m excited to fight in the United States,” said Mercado. “There are thousands of ‘paisanos’ who live in Arizona, I will give them a great fight, Mexican style. Ramla is a great fighter, but she will not take away my goal of unifying all the titles.”

“Mercado is currently the best female fighter of Mexico, and it is an honor to have her along with another of Mexico’s best fighters, Juan Francisco Estrada,” said Mercado’s promoter, Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Boxing.

Ali (9-1 2 KOs) enters her first World title bout full of confidence having gained sweet revenge over Julissa Guzman in her last outing in Monte Carlo in November. Ali was stopped by the Mexican in June in New Orleans, but Ali, who became the first fighter to represent Somalia in the 202 Olympics, outboxed her foe in the rematch and is thrilled to be getting the chance to land the coveted green and gold.

“It’s hard to articulate how much this means to me,” said Ali. “As an athlete and as a person you set yourself goals and challenges in your life and in your career. Some of them you meet and some of them you don’t. I’ve never really found any happiness or satisfaction so far in the milestones and achievements I’ve made. I truly feel that being crowned the WBC champion, which is something that I’ve always wanted since I picked up a pair of boxing gloves when I was 12 years old, finally gives me some peace in the long road of struggles that have gotten me to this point.

“Although I’ve found success both inside and outside the ring, I’ve actually had very few people in my life that have truly championed me and invested in me, be it time, money or energy. I’m eternally grateful to Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith for seeing the vision when so many didn’t. To Mauricio Sulaiman, a man who I owe this fight to and someone who has ensured that my dream can come true. And finally, to Kevin Rooney that fought like hell to make sure this deal got done so he can see that green and gold belt around my waist.”

Mercado vs. Ali is part of a stacked night of action in Phoenix topped by the mouthwatering clash between Estrada and Rodriguez, as former World champions Sunny Edwards and Adrian Curiel collide, and unbeaten duo Arturo Cardenas and Danny Barrios meet for the WBC Continental Americas Super-Bantamweight title.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to get this great fight over the line,” said Hearn. “Yamileth has reigned long as the WBC champion and is sure to have the fans on her side on June 29, but Ramla has always taken every challenge she’s faced head-on, and Phoenix will be no different.

“Our main event is one of the fights of the year, and the undercard is fantastic – this is going to be a night to remember in Arizona.”




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • EUBANK JR VS. BENN GRAND ARRIVALS QUOTES
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • Headlining again at home a dream come true for 16-0-1 junior middleweight Anthony Velasquez
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • Amateur Standout Stephanie Simon Signs with Split-T Boxing Management
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 21 April 2025: Fundora KOs Badillo, Retains Undisputed Belts; Smith UD Germain; Kovalev Returns with a Win
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Bantamweight Anthony Garnica Scores TKO Against Aston Palicte to Remain Undefeated
    , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Higher Seeds New York, Denver Fall in Playoffs Second Games to Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Young Gildo: The Baguio Bearcat
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina places solo runner-up in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open in Thailand
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Female Amateur Boxing Star Sar’ai Brown-El Signs with Split-T Management
    , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Apolinario to fight Hu in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Warriors Shoot Down Rockets, 95-85 as Celtics, Cavaliers, Thunder Take Care of Business
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • 2025 USA Boxing International Open Finalized on Saturday
    , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.