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5'5½" Belinda "Brown Sugar" Laracuente was born on January 29
1979 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In 1989 she moved to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. She was
always active in sports, and as a long-distance runner won a Puerto Rican
national cross-country championship. Her brother
Laureano is a boxer, and
at age 12 she was
motivated to try the sport herself by hanging around the Mayaguez gym where he
trained. They became
two of the best amateur boxers in Puerto Rico.
She moved from Puerto Rico to Miami, Florida, in May 1998 with just one goal ...
a world title belt. Belinda is a stylish ring general who built her skills and a
solid ring record carefully at first with fights mainly in the Miami area and
Puerto Rico.
© Copyrighted photo taken by Sandy
Goldberg Laracuente defeated Philadelphia fighter Karen Nye in
her pro boxing debut in Pennsylvania on February 12 1997, dopping Nye's pro
record to 1-1. On march 14, 1997 in Miami she won a first-round
TKO over debut fighter Stephanie Hopkins. She lost a four-round
decision to
veteran Cora Webber of Ocala, Florida in Miami on May 23, 1997.
Webber had been a pro boxer since 1986, and went the full 15-round distance
with Laurie Holt for the WIBF Super Featherweight title. On September 27, 1997 in Condado,
Puerto Rico, Belinda TKO'd 16-year-old Haydé Núñez of Condado in the fourth round. On October 24, 1997 in Miami,
Florida she scored a four-round unanimous
decision over Atlanta's Tawayna Broxton, dropping Broxton to 1-3-0.
On February 13, 1998 in Miami, Belinda (132 lbs) stopped Shannise Davis (134½ lbs)
of Atlanta, Georgia by TKO at 1:05 of the first round. Davis fell to 0-2 with
the loss. On April 3, 1998 at Coliseo de Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, she
continued her knockout ways with a first-round
TKO of debut fighter Sharon Tiller.
On April 18, 1998 in Miami, Florida she knocked out debut fighter
Jasmine Lawson in the first round. On June 28, 1998 at North River Boxing Gym in Miami, Florida she
stopped debut fighter Latasha Church at 1:25 in the first round. On September 12, 1998 in Miami,
Belinda won by TKO in the first round over Gail Grandchamp of North Adams, Massachussetts,
who fell to 0-5.
On October 10, 1998 in New Orleans she
was held to a 4-round draw by Jeanne Martinez of Slidell, Louisiana,
whose record was then even at 2-2-1.
On October 17, 1998 in Miami, she resumed
her winning ways with a six-round unanimous decision over Atlanta's Tawayna Broxton, who fell to 1-6 with the loss.
On December 3, 1998 at Casino Magic in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi,
she suffered a setback when she lost a four-round unanimous decision
to former New York Golden Gloves and U.S. national amateur champion
Denise Moraetes of Augusta, Georgia, who
progressed to 2-0 with the win. (This wasn't a good trip for Belinda, who was
arrested the night before the fight for gambling while under Mississippi's legal
age for that recreational activity and spent a night in jail.)
On February 5, 1999 at the Miami Jai Alai in Miami, Florida,
Belinda (137¼ lb) defeated former WIBF world champion Daniëlla Somers
(139¾ lbs) of
Brecht, Belgium by eight-round unanimous decision.
She put Somers on the canvas in the opening round with a left hook,
and used her defensive skills and ring movement well to stay away from
the former world champion's punching power for the decision. The win
moved Laracuente's pro record to 14-2-1 with 9 KO's, and dropped Somers to
8-2 (4 KO).
On February 26, 1999 at Milander Auditorium in Hialeah, Florida,
Belinda (138 lbs) won an eight-round unanimous decision over
Shakurah Witherspoon (134 lbs) of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, who fell to 2-10-1
A Women's Boxing Page correspondent described the fight
as "a cakewalk for Laracuente, as Witherspoon was in her customary
survival mode from start to finish." This win netted Belinda the WIBF Americas Junior Welterweight title.
On March 26, 1999 at the Park Plaza Hotel in Hialeah, Florida,
Belinda (138½ lbs) won a unanimous 6-round decision over
Glenda Watkins (141 lbs) of Lima, Ohio. Belinda's speed and combination
punching had Watkins confused
and reeling several times during the bout. When Watkins tried
to assert her trademark brawling style, she was bested at her own
game. Watkins' record fell to 6-4.
On May 29, 1999 at Roberto Clemente Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico,
over 8000 fans saw Belinda (137 lbs) win
a unanimous (79-73) eight-round decision over Mitzi Jeter (140 lbs)
of Dalton, Georgia. Belinda used her speed and lateral movement to
give Jeter few chances to set down on her punches and kept Mitzi
chasing her in the later rounds. Laracuente moved her own
pro record to 17-2-1 while dropping Jeter's to 9-3-1.
On August 14, 1999 at Loew's Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida,
Belinda met her match against
Zulfia Koutdoussova
of Moscow, Russia in a ten-rounder for the IWBF lightweight title.
She came out on the short end of a ten-round majority decision
as the Russian kept pressure on her for the whole
fight despite Belinda's apparently superior punching power. Koutdoussova improved
her record to 11-2 with this win.
Belinda would now go on to her greatest challenge so far ... a showdown in Las
Vegas with the best-known name in women's boxing, Christy Martin.
Belinda looks confident at her weigh-in against Christy Martin
© Copyrighted photo taken by Mary Ann Owen
On March 3, 2000 at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada,
Christy Martin (140 lbs) of
Orlando, Florida won a controversial eight-round majority decision over
Belinda (who also weighed in at 140 lbs).
The decision was booed after
judge Dave Moretti had it a 76-76 draw, and louder when it was announced that judges Carol Castellano and Patricia Jarman-Manning
had scored it 77-75 for Martin.
Martin moved to 39-2-2 in a fight where she was generally the
aggressor but was often beaten to the punch as Laracuente landed
telling blows to her head while backing up.
When Martin tried to punch in flurries she had trouble
finding the range to Laracuente, who showed textbook skills
at getting in, doing damage, then getting out quickly.
As described by boxing photojournalist Mary Ann Owen,
"(Laracuente) outboxed
Martin and turned her around slipping punches and counter
punching beautifully. She fought a smart fight, not standing in
front of Martin. Martin was throwing her bombs and getting
frustrated because Laracuente slipped them and tagged Martin right in the
chops!"
Belinda vs. Christy Martin
Laracuente had looked confident, even cocky, throughout this fight and
said she was "totally sure" she won it, adding
"I beat up the old lady". By the end of
the fight, Martin's face was testimony to Laracuente’s words, as her right eye
was swollen and cut, so she quickly found a pair of sunglasses to conceal the
damage done by "Brown Sugar".
In an interview several weeks after
the fight, she told me "I was
very surprised that Christy was so slow and so predictable. I was also very
surprised that it was so easy to frustrate her and get her out of her game.
From watching her closely in and outside of the ring, I guessed that Christy
is basically a bully, who depends upon her reputation to intimidate her
opponents, and who loses her temper when she can't have her way, and my
strategy was based on this. What can I say? We danced to my music."
Martin admitted after the fight that Laracuente
was "probably the best skilled boxer, mover and runner
I have seen". Most of my Women's Boxing Forum
visitors who saw the fight live on PPV agreed that Belinda was robbed (see the
fight report by Sue TL
Fox, also
fight reviews and pictures).
Promoter Rick Kulis summarized the majority view in the Forum: "Once
again the judges in Nevada saw a pay day and not a fight. This was the worst
decision in women's boxing."
On May 12, 2000 at Jim Davidson Theater in Pembroke Pines, Florida,
Karla Redo (142 lbs) of West Palm Beach, Florida won a six-round unanimous decision over
Belinda (136 lbs). Laracuente aide David Marks told me: "I have no idea what
went wrong. The real Belinda simply never showed up. She hardly threw any
punches." Redo moved to 4-1 with the win, and a clearly disheartened Belinda dropped out of active pro
boxing for a while.
On August 30, 2002 at Holiday Inn Center in Manchester, New Hampshire,
Belinda returned to competition and won an eight-round unanimous (80-72,80-72,80-73) decision over
Shakurah Witherspoon of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, who fell to
9-29-1 (4 KO).
The 23-year-old "Brown Sugar" dominated perennial "opponent" Witherspoon in this
lightweight bout that was the card's co-main event.
"I am starting all over, from bottom to
the top, so I can bring them all down again," Laracuente said. "I am
putting the pieces back together."
Belinda watches Janae Archuleta Romero
© Copyrighted photo taken by Tony Richards
On January 18, 2003 at Seminole Okalee Native Village in Hollywood, Florida, USA, Belinda
(131 lbs) won a six-round unanimous (59-55,60-54,59-54) decision over Janae Archuleta Romero (135 lbs) of Denver, Colorado. After a slow first round, Laracuente
went to work with hard lefts and right uppercuts and opened up a cut over Romero's right eye. Romero fell to 4-3-1 (2
KO).
Belinda (in pink) outclassed Gina Greenwald
On March 29, 2003 at Seminole Coconut Creek Casino in Coconut Creek, Florida, Belinda (136 lbs) won a six-round unanimous
(60-54,60-54,60-54) decision over an outclassed Gina Greenwald Leathers (133 lbs) of St. Louis,
who fell to 3-11-0 (1 KO).
On June 28, 2003 at Seminole Coconut Creek Casino, in Coconut
Creek, Florida, Belinda (129 lbs) and Tracy Byrd (129½ lbs)
of Flint, Michigan fought to an eight- round draw (77-75,75-77,76-76). Laracuente sustained a broken eardrum and was
kept on defense for most of the bout by Byrd's aggressive head and body attack. Byrd controlled the early going with her
jab and a strong left hook that landed frequently to Laracuente's head, but the elusive Puerto Rican also scored with some
nice combinations in the third. The middle rounds were evenly fought with both getting in solid shots at close
quarters but Byrd generally looking stronger and beating Laracuente to the punch. Laracuente may have saved the fight by
coming on strong in the final round, and peppering Byrd with combinations. Laracuente
was now 20-5-2 (9 KO) and Byrd
13-7-1 (4 KO).
 On
February 28, 2004 at Seminole Coconut Creek Casino in Coconut Creek, Florida, Belinda (135 lbs) won an eight-round unanimous (79-73,79-73,78-74)
decision over previously undefeated Iva
Weston (139½ lbs) of Trinidad. Weston seemed intent
on staying away from Laracuente, and threw very few punches. Laracuente was the
aggressor and landed the cleaner shots but the referee had to exhort them both
to box. Weston's defense was good, but she had virtually no offense or punching
power. Laracuente was coming off an injury and appeared to be happy just to be
back in the boxing ring. Laracuente improved to 21-5-2 (9 KO) while dropping the teenager from Trinidad to 8-1-0
(1 KO).
vs. Sumya Anani in January 2005
© Copyrighted photo by Valerie Mahfood
On January 22, 2005 at Grand Coushatta Casino Resort Pavilion, in Kinder,
Louisiana, a crowd estimated at 3000 saw Sumya Anani
(143¼ lbs) of Kansas City defeat Belinda (136¼ lbs) by a ten-round unanimous
(100-90,97-93,99-91) decision, defending her IBA Welterweight world title.
According to a
ringside
report from pro boxer Valerie Mahfood, "Within
the first ten seconds of round one, the two women clashed heads above their
right eyebrows. Anani, however, suffered a cut as a result of it. At no time did
the cut threaten the stoppage of the fight, but it did require minor medical
attention afterwards. Rounds one through six all played the same tune. Anani
attacked and Laracuente moved. The majority of the time, Anani remained the
aggressor. She consistently backed Laracuente into the ropes and then unleashed
a flurry of both body and head shots. Laracuente was able to retaliate at times,
yet, it was simply wasn’t enough. When Laracuente threw consecutive punches,
Anani traded with her. When Laracuente threw single shots, Anani absorbed the
punches and continued undaunted. To me, it seemed as if Laracuente simply
couldn’t find her rhythm. Or perhaps, Anani’s aggression refused to allow it.
The most controversially moment of the fight occurred in round seven. From my
perspective, it appeared to be a clean left hook to the body that dropped
Laracuente. The referee, however, immediately called a time-out and sent Anani
to a neutral corner. Laracuente held her glove over her head and complained of a
head-butt. A few moments passed before the referee ruled the contact an
accidental head butt. Half the crowd hissed, half the crowd cheered. When the
fight resumed, it continued much on the same path as before."
Anani improved to 25-1-1 (9 KO) with this win.
Belinda in action vs. Jessica Rakoczy
© copyrighted photo taken by Jessica Trevino
On April 1, 2005 at the Palace Indian Gaming Center in Lemoore, Belinda
(131½ lbs) lost a unanimous (99-91, 98-92, 98-92) ten-round decision to Canadian
Jessica Rakoczy (134¼ lbs) of Las Vegas for the
vacant North American Boxing Association women's lightweight title. Although
Rakoczy lost only two rounds on any judges' scorecards, she was critical of her
own performance. "I should have been a lot busier," she said, "she was
really awkward. I've never fought anyone who fought like that before. … It's
something we have to work on in the gym." Rakoczy improved to 19-1 (6
KO's). For more photos of this bout
see Photo Gallery #250 on the WBAN Records Member Site.
Belinda vs. Mary Jo Sanders
© Copyrighted photo by Patricia Butaud of J & P Photography
On May 14, 2005 at the Coushatta Casino Resort Pavilion, in Kinder,
Louisiana, Mary Jo Sanders (143 lbs) of Detroit, Michigan won a clear
(100-90, 99-91, and 98-92) 10-round unanimous decision over Belinda (141
lbs) for the IBA Welterweight Continental belt. Laracuente was a late
replacement for Lisa Holewyne, who had injured
her elbow during a sparring session. WBAN correspondent Patricia Butaud
said “Belinda Laracuente has got to have the Heart of a Lion. She took on
Sumya Anani when no one else would and on just a few days' notice took on
Mary Jo Sanders. Belinda was quick and could avoid a lot of the "bombs" that
Mary Jo threw, but still Mary Jo, with the tenaciousness of a pit bull,
managed to trap Laracuente on the ropes. Belinda's lightning fast moves was
able to dodge most of the punches, but not all. On occasion, with cheers
from the crowd shouting "Ali, Ali", Belinda would imitate Ali and dance
circles around Mary Jo. But sooner or later, Sanders would have her against
the ropes throwing bombs." Mary Jo Sanders improved to 16-0 (5 KOs)
with the win.
On June 10, 2005 at the State Fair Grounds in Detroit, Michigan, Canadian
Kara Ro, who fights out of Detroit, won the vacant
WIBA Lightweight title with a convincing (99-91,98-92,| 98-92) 10-round
unanimous decision over Belinda.
The taller Ro stalked
Laracuente throughout, landing body shots and left hooks fairly
consistently. Laracuente tried to use movement and counterpunching to outfox
her younger opponent, but wasn’t busy enough to win many rounds. Ro
improved her pro record to 13-0 (7 KOs).
On July 9, 2005 at Casino Ballroom in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire,
Melissa Fiorentino (125¼ lbs) of Cranston,
Rhode Island pounded out a one-sided six-round unanimous (60-54 x3) decision
over Belinda (124 lbs). Laracuente, who took the fight at short
notice, seemed overwhelmed by Fiorentino's non-stop attack and spent
almost the entire fight in a cover-up defense, often against the ropes.
Fiorentino threw a steady barrage of leather at her from all angles but
could not put her away. The bout was carried live on ESPN2's Friday
Night Fights. Fiorentino improved to 12-1-0 (6 KOs).
 On August 26, 2005 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New
York, Belinda won a six-round split (56-58,58-56,59-55) decision over local
favorite Ann Marie Saccurato. In the
first two rounds,
Saccurato was the aggressor and landed hard shots to Belinda's head and
body, but Laracuente took these shots in her stride while countering with
her jab. From the third round onwards, Belinda out-boxed Saccurato and
began to land with fast combinations that kept Saccurato at bay, repeatedly
snapping her head back. The crowd began to cheer for Laracuente as she
continued to control the action. Laracuente broke a five-fight
losing streak against top fighters with this close win, while Saccurato fell to 9-1 (2 KOs) with her first pro
loss.
On October 1, 2005 at Roppongi
Velfarre in Tokyo, Japan, Emiko Raika (129 lbs) of
Japan won an eight-round decision over Belinda (130 lbs) in an eliminator
for the WIBA Super Featherweight title. Raika improved her record to 13-2-1 (5 KO).
Team Laracuente's Melissa Hernandez sent the
following statement about the bout to WBAN: "Belinda Laracuente fought a
great fight against Emiko Raika. Belinda was believed to have broken Raika
nose. From the opening bell, Laracuente beat Raika to every punch. Raika
was a good fighter, but not good enough to have won this fight. Laracuente
was robbed in the open, even the Japanese public was quiet when Raika took a
decision over Laracuente. Belinda would like to fight Raika again in the
USA. If Raika comes out to the USA, the Japan judges won't be able to give
fights away when their fighter clearly loses."
Belinda vs. Chevelle Hallback in Edmonton, Canada
© Copyrighted photo taken by Mary Ann Owen
On November 18, 2005 at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada, Chevelle Hallback (129 lbs) of Tampa,
Florida won a clear ten-round unanimous (98-92,98-92,98-92) decision over
Belinda (129½ lbs) defending her
WIBA Super Featherweight title. There were no knockdowns during the bout.
Hallback moved to 25-4-1 (11 KOs, 1 ND)
while
Laracuente fell to
22-12-2 (9 KOs).
(For more of Mary Ann Owen's photos of this
fight card, see
MPEG/Photo Gallery #306
on the WBAN Records Member Site).
On February 3, 2006 at the
Win-River Casino in Redding, California, In what was called the "fight of
the night" Belinda fought local favorite Valanna McGee
to an eight-round (78-74 Laracuente, 78-74 McGee, 74-74) draw. McGee showed
her punching power in the early going but Laracuente turned it around in the
later rounds. Laracuente's record moved to 22-12-3 (9 KOs),
McGee's record moved to 11-2-2 (5 KOs).
Belinda was named WBAN Fighter of the Month for March 2006 for pulling off
this result on the highly-rated McGee's home turf.
On March 18, 2006 at Palais des Sport Marcel Cerdan in
Levallois-Perret, France, Myriam Lamare
(139¾ lbs) of Marseille, France retained the WBA
Junior Welterweight title with a ten-round unanimous (99-92,97-94,99-91)
decision over Belinda (134½ lbs). This was a good,
high energy fight throughout with TV commentators saying that Laracuente was
easily the best opponent Lamare had faced. Lamare said she enjoyed the fight
as every round was different and hoped they'd give Laracuente a rematch.
There was some booing as the lop-sided scores were announced; the TV
commentary agreed that Lamare had won but only by two or three rounds, not
by the wider margin on two scorecards.
On July 14, 2006 at Le Cannet, France, Myriam Lamare
(139¾ lbs) again won a convincing
(98:93,97-93,97-93) ten-round unanimous decision over Belinda
(135¾ lbs) in a rematch of their March bout.
According to WBAN correspondent Ewan Whyte, "Despite another stylish
display and hampered by an injury to her right hand, Belinda Laracuente
failed for the second time to do any real mischief last night to the WBA
super lightweight champion".
Lamare remained unbeaten as a pro boxer at 14-0-0 (7
KOs).
On
September 2, 2006 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, Jessica
Rakoczy (132 lbs) and Belinda (131½ lbs) fought to a no contest when
their scheduled six-rounder was stopped at 0:47 in the third round after an
accidental head-butt cut Rakoczy.
On November 17, 2006 at the Orleans Hotel and
Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, Layla McCarter (133½ lbs)
of Las Vegas won a clear (100-90,99-91,97-93) 10-round unanimous decision over
Belinda (132 lbs) for the vacant GBU Lightweight world title.
The bout fulfilled a long-standing wish of McCarter's to fight a title fight
with three-minute rounds. Layla moved her record
to 21-12-5 (3 KOs).
On December 1, 2006 at the Rhode Island Convention
Center in Providence, Rhode Island, Missy Fiorentino
(128 lbs) won a six-round unanimous (58-57,58-56,59-55) decision in a rematch
with Belinda (128¾ lbs).
According to WBAN correspondent Dan Horgan, "In round one, Laracuente
used her long reach to frustrate Fiorentino, as she effectively jabbed her
opponent and landed several combinations. Fiorentino was oddly inactive, as she
struggled to hunt down her lively foe. In rounds two and three however, ‘The
Fury’ pinned Laracuente against the ropes and her busy work -- especially her
clubbing right hands -- wore down the Puerto Rico native. But a third round
accidental head butt caused a large gash over Fiorentino’s right eye, and the
fight was nearly stopped. Laracuente must have gained confidence from
Fiorentino’s bleeding, as in round four, she landed several powerful left hooks
and again frustrated the hometown favorite with her stick and move job. Perhaps
sensing the fight to be going in Laracuente’s favor, Fiorentino’s work rate went
up significantly in rounds five and six, as she threw numerous wild combinations
that went unmatched by her opponent. The aggressiveness would seal the deal for
Fiorentino, who was happy with the win, but disappointed about her large cut."
Fiorentino improved her record to 15-1-0 (6 KOs).
On February 10, 2007 at the Delta South Hotel, in
Edmonton, Canada, a sold out crowd saw local favorite
Jelena Mrdjenovich (130½ lbs) of Edmonton win an eight-round unanimous
(77-75,78-74,79-73) decision over Belinda (127 lbs). Mrdjenovich told the
local news media that it was hard to fight Laracuente because she kept her hands
so low, and backs up a lot. She also said that Laracuente was tough and
talented. Laracuente said after the fight that Mrdjenovich was “a great
champion.” Jelena advanced to
19-2 (11 KOs) while Laracuente fell to 22-17-3 (9 KOs).
On March 17, 2007 at Companhia Athletica Brooklin in São Paulo, Brazil,
Duda Yankovich (137
lbs) of Brazil successfully defended her WIBA Junior Welterweight title against
Belinda (136¼ lbs) by a 10-round unanimous decision. The judges' scores
were 98-95, 97-94, and 98-95. Yankovich improved to 8-0-0 (5 KOs)
with the win while Laracuente fell to 22-18-3 (9 KOs) in what many observers
felt was a home-town decision.
On June 15, 2007 at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada,
Belinda (137 lbs) won the GBU Junior Welterweight title with a 12-round
unanimous (115-113,115-113,116-112) decision over a tough and gritty
Melissa Del Valle (139 lbs) of Miami, Florida. For details, see the WBAN
report by
Lori Steinhorst. Del Valle fell to 29-6-1 (11 KO's).
On December 1, 2007 at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia, Belinda Laracuente
lost a controversial eight-round split decision to Esther
Phiri of Zambia for the GBU Intercontinental Junior Lightweight title. The
Lusaka Times reported that “few may agree that the verdict was fair as
America’s Belinda Laracuente was a trifle better and could claim the glory as
well.” They reported that Phiri was slower and could hardly match the
technique and power of Laracuente, described Laracuente as “sharper,
cleverer, and more aggressive” and opined that “an ordinary eye” could have
given her at least five out of the eight rounds. Laracuente said after the
fight: “It’s a shame---I beat the girl on points because I scored more as I
was very aggressive. I feel it’s very unfair.”
Her manager Wanda Bruce later apologised for Belinda's remarks but asked for t a
rematch.
Laracuente fell to
23-19-3 (9 KOs) whle Phiri improved to 6-3-1 (1 KOs).
Belinda Laracuente vs. Holly Holm in February 2008
© Copyrighted photo taken by Lori Steinhorst
On February 7, 2008 at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California,
Belinda fought Holly Holm of Albuquerque, New Mexico for Holm's IFBA
Welterweight title. This was considered a low-risk fight for the taller,
naturally heavier, and also harder-punching Holm who has rarely fought outside
her native New Mexico. Holm used her reach and quickness to stave off Laracuente's attacks throughout a somewhat lack-luster fight compared to a
thriller of a co-main featuring Chevelle Hallback
and Laracuente's protege Melissa Hernandez .
Late in the fight Laracuente switched from her normally elusive counterpunching style to
try to make something happen. She landed her best shot of the night in the
eighth - a straight right hand that jolted Holm’s
head back, and she connected with good body shots in the tenth, but the rally
was too late to swing the outcome.
According to WBAN correspondent Bill Ortega, "Holm used her steady
jabs and movement to keep away from Laracuente’s combination attempts. Each
round began to look like a carbon copy of the last as Holm built up an
insurmountable lead." The final scores were all in Holm's favor:
97-93, 99-91, and 98-92. Holm improved to 20-1-2 (6 KOs) with
the win..
On February 29, 2008 at the Tachi
Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California, Canadian-born
Jessica Rakoczy (134½ kbs) of Las Vegas won a
10-round unanimous decision over Belinda (135 lbs) for the NABF Lightweight
title.
Rakoczy advanced to 28-3-0 (11 KOs) as Laracuente dropped to
23-21-3 (9 KO's).
On March 14, 2008
at the Twin Rivers Event Center in Rhode Island, Canadian-born
Jamie Clampitt (135
lbs) of Rhode Island retained her IWBF lightweight
title with a 97-93, 95-95, 97-93 majority decision over Belinda (133¾
lbs).
According
to WBAN correspondent Ken Castro, "While the opening
rounds were somewhat lackluster in terms of fan appeal, Clampitt scored with a
crisp right in the third, backing Laracuente into the corner to conclude the
round. Laracuente got the best of a brief exchange in the sixth, a round that
might have been the most animated, save for the final two rounds of the night.
In the ninth, in contrast to the earlier rounds, the combatants opened up
considerably. In retrospect, the flashy Laracuente acknowledged that her ability
to throw more punches might have been better served if she had begun sooner.”
Clampitt improved to 19-4 (7 KO's) with the
win while Laracuente, a
native of Puerto Rico, fell to 23-22-3 (9
KO's).
Laracuente is a stylish and skilled boxer, who brings good knowledge
of boxing fundamentals and a strong dose of charisma to her fights. She can
frustrate an opponent with her movement and elusiveness and her use of
angles, but she is ready to stand and trade when she has to.
Other Belinda Laracuente links
To check out fight reports, complete up-to-date boxing records, with huge digital photos you can go to
the WBAN Records Member Site
Page last updated:
Monday February 15, 2010 |
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