Boxing News Boxing News
Metro Detroit’s Mary Jo Sanders continues to win over the boxing world, this time attracting the interest, and national television coverage, of ESPN Sports.
Rarely do women get the spotlight of the main event position on a televised card, but Mary Jo’s recognition in the boxing world as one of the best pound for pound woman in the sport today – plus her growing fan base across the country – has convinced the boxing experts at ESPN to come to Detroit and showcase Sanders.
This prime time boxing show will take place in the Wayne Hall of Cobo Center in Downtown Detroit. The convention center will be transformed into an intimate boxing arena for this special event, with limited capacity and very limited public ticket sales.
While handed the top spot, Mary Jo won’t be handed an easy opponent, – facing #1 rated light-heavyweight Valerie Mahfood, Laila Ali’s toughest opponent. Mahfood sports a record of 19-12-3 (9 ko’s), but all her fights have been in the light-heavyweight class – a full two weight divisions over Mary Jo’s natural weight.
At this higher weight, Mahfood faced some of the toughest women in boxing, including Laila Ali and Ann Wolfe who she knocked out in 3 rounds.
Mary Jo, with a current record of 24-0 (7 ko’s), holds 6 titles including the IBA Middleweight Championship – but has visions of moving up in weight to face the best known female boxer – Laila Ali.
Ali has gone on record as being very interested in a Sanders bout – but it’s Sanders job to prove she can move up in weight successfully. Mahfood provides the test that could lead directly to the Sanders-Ali Showdown.
The Woman’s boxing world is widely anticipating Ali vs Sanders – evidenced by the fact that ESPN will have Ali “live in studio” to offer commentary and critique of Sander’s performance.
The co-main event of the show will be a ten round Jr. Middleweight bout between top Columbian Joel Julio (29-1, 27 ko’s) v Knoxville’s Thomas Davis (11-3).
Featured on the undercard will be Detroit’s Daryl Cunningham and Frank O’Neal.
