(OCT 1) BAKERSFIELD, CA. – Following her stirring career-defining win
over Christy Martin in August, newly crowned WBC women’s super
welterweight world champion Mia St. John is back in action to
defend her title for the first time against veteran Seattle
contender Molly McConnell on Saturday, November 10th in the 10
round main event of the Fight For Life charity show in
Bakersfield, California.
The four bout card, which is presented by Roy Englebrecht
Promotions, will feature two pro boxing and two pro mixed
martial arts bouts, making it one of the most exciting shows of
the year for combat sports fans.
The Fight For Life show will raise funds with100% of the
proceeds staying within the Bakersfield community to benefit
families battling cancer. The major beneficiary will be the Kern
County Community Cancer Fund which provides funds for families
in Bakersfield who need help with covering their insurance
premiums, families without insurance, or just to provide gas
money so families can get to their treatments.
One of female fighting’s true icons, Mia “The Knockout” St. John
(47-11-2, 18 KOs) has paved the way for countless young women to
pursue their dreams in the ring and cage, but at 45, she’s still
going strong. A pro since 1997 who has fought on some of the
biggest cards in the modern era, the California native has
fought the best of the best, including Holly Holm, Jessica
Rakoczy, and Jelena Mrdjenovich. But St. John’s career would not
be complete until she avenged her 2002 loss to Christy Martin,
and on August 14 she did just that, taking a hard-fought 10
round decision over “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” that also earned
her the WBC world championship she will defend on November 10.
“I am excited to defend my new WBC World Title for the first
time,” said St John. “This belt belongs to me and no one will
take if from me!”
With eight years of experience in the pro game and battles
against several high-profile fighters, Washington’s Molly
McConnell (12-2, 5 KOs) has paid her dues on her way up the
ranks, and in 2011, she finally achieved her dream of becoming a
world champion when she defeated Kira Watkins for the GBU and
WIBF titles at junior welterweight. Now moving up to 154 pounds
after an impressive win over Tammy Franks at welterweight, the
40-year old McConnell’s goal now is to shock the world by
beating St. John and becoming a two-division titlist. “I’ve been
looking forward to a fight like this my whole career and I’m
really excited to be fighting Mia for her WBC Belt,” stated
McConnell. “Mia has been in with some of the best and is very
experienced, so I can’t wait to get in the ring with her. I am
grateful for this opportunity.”
In the other pro boxing bout, it will be heavyweight action as
the big boys mix it up with Palmdale’s 4-3 Giovanni Sarran faces
Perri’s 4-4 Javier Diaz.
It will be Bakersfield vs Visalia in the mixed martial arts
portion of the Fight For Life show with Bakersfield’s 3-2 Josh
McCartney facing Visalia’s 3-3 Anthony Vidal in a welterweight
battle; and Bakersfield middleweight 2-1 J.C. Llamas meeting
Visalia’s Jose Diaz who is making his pro debut after an
undefeated amateur career.
Tickets and additional information for the November 10th Fight
For Life show can be found at fightforlifeevent.org.
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