(MAY 24) Sarah Pucek wanted to establish herself as the #1 Featherweight in the Pacific Northwest before challenging for other titles. To achieve this, team Pucek thought it was only right to fight the best in the region so they challenged Merced Nunez last April, Nunez pulled out of the April fight due to an injury and the fight was placed for June 20. The Matchmaker for the Emerald Queen informed Pucek’s Trainer/Manager Dave Allison Friday that he received a call from the Nunez camp, telling him the fight was off and Merced was retiring from the ring.

The Pucek camp is disappointed because the winner of the fight was going to be in line for a shot at the NABF Featherweight title and Jennifer Barber. To get a shot at Barber or Olivia Gerula we must fight a meaningful fight with this in mind team Pucek has told the match maker for Halquist Promotions they will meet the challenge sent out by Brooke Dierdorff and fight Dierdorff on the 20th of June. Dierdorff's response in an interview:

Sylvana: Who would you like to fight next?
Dierdorff: Ina Menzer, Olivia Gerula & because they are the 126 & 130LB world champions and those are the titles that I want first and foremost! I would also like to fight Melissa Hernandez, Rola El Halabi, Stacey Reile, Crystal Delgado, Sarah Pucek because she asked for it and I don't want her to think I didn't see the article on WBAN she posted just to name a few there are many others I would like to face one day!!

At this time this is a challenge only since Dierdorff has not agreed to the fight however it is being offered her this weekend. Dierdorff has just come off a big win over Mia St. John and with the win came a WBC International Lightweight Title. We are not looking for that tile since it is a Lightweight Title and we would not plan to defend it so it would be a simple 6 round fight. Team Pucek feels a win over Dierdorff should put her in line for a title shot and that is what they are looking for.

We know Brooke Dierdorff is tough and we will be very prepared to fight her on the 20th if she takes the fight. Pucek has had some difficulty in getting fights and has had a lot of pullouts. You seem to get into a situation with women’s boxing where you can get a few development fights then you are jumped into some of the top people there is not a lot of middle ground says Allison. We feel Sarah is Ready to fight the best out there however are very aware of her lack of experience in some aspects of the game.

The Emerald Queen and Halquist Promotions have been very supportive and have made room for women boxers of their cards. The fans saw a great fight last April between

Sarah Pucek and Tammie Johnson and with the fight ending in a draw, a rematch is on the horizon but team Pucek is looking to get in line for a title fight. This is there priority and a win over the current holder of the WBC International Lightweight Title should achieve the goal. Now the ball is in Dierdorff's hand.

[Note: WBAN has forwarded this challenge to Dierdorff, via email]