MERRILLVILLE, Ind. -- She only had 3 professional fights, but across the ring, she faced a two-time world champion with a record of 43 wins, 8 losses, 2 draws, and 18 knockouts.

That and her opponent was the celebrated female boxer, Mia Rosales-St. John. Making numerous media appearances leading up to the fight, it was assumed that she’d steamroll her little known opponent who came as a last minute replacement for her originally scheduled opponent, Rita Figueroa, who’d pulled out due to a torn rotator cuff in training.

“I got a call six days ago. I hadn’t been training, but I’m always in shape,” Brooke Dierdorff said.

Whatever illusions Rosales-St. John harbored going in, they were jarred loose with a booming right to the head in round one. The blow stopped St. John in tracks and caused her to do a slight stutter step.

The war was on.

Both had their moments, as they mauled, slugged and roughed each other up non-stop for six rounds. It wasn’t so much a boxing match, but a primeval brawl with pink gloves on.

Dierdorff crowded and threw the full weight of her body behind virtually ever swing, winging hurtful blows to body and head. Rosales-St. John slugged back fiercely, catching her more aggressive foe with rights coming in and combinations in close. There was a lot of grappling in close and a little hitting and holding on her part. Yet, for all her experience, shed couldn’t quite offset her younger tormentor’s raw aggression and power.

Dierdorff wasn’t intimidated and, at times, manhandled Rosales-St. John when pinned on the ropes, forcibly grabbing and turning her back to the ropes. She was just that strong and energetic. And, she was beating Rosales-St. John up.

In the fourth, Rosales-St. John fell on her backside from what appeared to be a punch landed while she was off balance and squared-up. Referee Kurt Spivey ruled it a slip.

“I thought it was a knockdown. I landed an uppercut,” said Dierdorff.

Asked if she thought Spivey was fair, she said, “Yes…(but) the ref was in really close. When I hit her she fell into him several times. I think that helped her (remain upright).”

Going into the sixth and final round, St. John appeared behind in points. Gathering herself up, she repeatedly backed Dierdorff to the ropes and battered with both fists. Dierdorff fought back hard, but fighting in her first six-rounder, she seemed to tire and was clearly edged in this round.

It was now up to the scorecards.

The crowd, which earlier cheered on Rosales-St. John, booed when they began to announce the last score card: 58 to 56 for the still…”

Boos resounded in the Star Plaza Theatre.

“…undefeated…”

Cheering rose, mixing with the boos.

“Brooke Dierdorff!”

Cheers thundered. This evening, the underdog had won, and deservedly so.

Judges scored the bout 59-55 for Dierdorff, 59-55 for Mia Rosales-St. John, and 58-56 for Dierdorff, giving her a split decision win.

The two combatants embraced. Her face swollen, Mia Rosales-St. John quietly exited the ring with her corner men in tow. Tonight, there would be no more media appearances for her.

Dierdorff, who weighed in at 129 lbs. to Rosales-St. John’s 136, said, “I don’t think she thought I was that strong.”

Well, she was, and then some.

 

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