(AUG 11) In the Main Event last night at
the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, Westchester's own Ann-Marie
Saccurato defeated World Champion Emiko Fujin Raika to become a
three-time WBC Lightweight World Champion!
The scores were 98-92, 97-92, 97-93, all in favor of Saccurato.
Last November, Ann-Marie fought Raika in Toyko and received a very
questionable and head scratching loss for the WIBA title in which
Emiko Fujin Raika was also the promoter of the fight.
To quiet the skeptics, Ann-Marie came out strong in the first round
and landed several powerful right hands, breaking Raika's nose. The
battle continued with Ann-Marie boxing on the outside and Raika
having a hard time finding her with her punches.
In the sixth round, Raika landed a head butt, which cost her a point
on the judges scorecards. Ann-Marie suffered a cut from the head
butt which required stitches after the fight, but her corner was
able to control the bleeding and Ann-Marie continued to out-box
Raika with her skill and incredible punching power.
Ann-Marie has now fought for, and won, the WBC Lightweight World
Championship belt three times- having the distinct honor of beating
World Champions Jelena Mrdjenovich, Jessica Rakoczy and Emiko Fujin
Raika-all in their own hometowns.
Saccurato states, "Now that I have proven myself three times in
other boxer's hometowns, I would love to come back home and have a
fight in my backyard where all my friends and family who support me
could come out and watch."
Saccurato has always been known as a staunch supporter and advocate
for women's boxing. She works hard to promote the sport in attempts
to raise the bar in regards to skill level, marketability, spectator
support, promoter interest, and competition opportunities for both
professional and Olympic-style boxers. In a recent report from ESPN,
ranking the world’s toughest 60 sports based on athleticism,
strength, agility, coordination and 6 other criteria, boxing came
out as the #1 most demanding sport.
Saccurato stated, "I hold myself up to the highest level of training
standards to show the promoters, fans and the world that women's
boxing is a great skillful sport, very marketable, and here to stay.
It is amazing the skill level that exists out there considering 99%
of the women boxers do not get the financial support to train
full-time without also working full time to support themselves and
their families. Women make less than 5% of what the men make for
similar title bouts. In most cases it doesn't cover the training
expenses involved, so right now the women you see are doing it for
the pure love of the sport. While that makes for amazing fights, I
hope in my lifetime successful women boxers will also be able to
start making a living in the sport and warrant the type of pay-days
they deserve."
"I am extremely proud to be a three-time WBC World Champion. They
are a very professional and fair organization. I also enjoy taking
part in the WBC Cares events with other champions, which helps
disadvantaged kids all across the country. It gives them such a
positive view of the sport, which I think boxing so desperately
needs.”
Ann-Marie trains at Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn and at LA Boxing in
Mamaroneck, NY. [Photo attached copyrighted by AP and Rutgers
News]
