(MAR 11) CHICAGO - From a
Small Town in the far Northwest Suburbs of Chicago to Scotland
with Gold in her eyes, McHenry, Illinois' "Savage" Sarah Curran
a.k.a. "Baby Tyson" (4-1-1) has always looked for and accepted
challenges. On Saturday, June 15, Curran is venturing out of her
comfort zone and homeland for the first time in her professional
career, agreeing to contend for the vacant International Boxing
Organization (IBO) Super Welterweight Championship of the World.
Sam Kynoch and his company Kynoch
Boxing Promotions of Scotland extended an offer to Curran to
come and contend against their own Hannah "The Classical
Warrior" Rankin (6-3, 1 KO) for the title.
This will be Rankin's third attempt at World Championship gold
after falling short in respectable challenges to WBA Super
Middleweight Champion Alicia Napoleon in August of 2018 in New
York and to WBC, WBA, and IBF Middleweight Champion Claressa
Shields in November.
Brian Norris, Curran's Manager:
"We are very appreciative of Sam Kynoch and Kynoch Boxing
Promotions for extending us this offer to be part of this great
event."
"Myself, my business partner and Sarah's trainer Doug Mango, and
all of us here at Mango Combat Sports couldn't be more excited
to have such an incredible opportunity."
"Sarah is a perfect representation of all of our values here at
Mango Combat Sports and the type of fighter we produce."
"I know Sarah will give 100% in her preparation for this fight.
Regardless of the result will show herself to be one of the top
female fighters in the sport."
Sarah Curran:
"Through out my career, I have accepted all challenges because I
believe in myself. As I rise above each challenge, I see myself
excel. This is my time to show my skills, and a opportunity at
my first world title.
"As I work hard in camp, I keep envisioning my hand being raised
and the belt being wrapped around my waist. I am looking forward
to this next step to prove I belong within the elite of this
world."
Doug Mango, Curran's Trainer - Mango Combat Sports:
"Sarah is a skillful fighter. She is very coachable and brings
skills like head-movement and true defense that is just not seen
in women's boxing."
"We know Rankin will have an intense camp, working with esteemed
champions like she has thus far in her career. We have just as
tough girls here, and will be prepared for this great
opportunity."
About "Savage" Sarah Curran:
With a career in factory logistics, Curran's after-work hour
sports thrill makes me hungry to achieve something great.
A real tomboy, Curran is still an avid skateboarder - was one of
the only girls on the WARP skate park skateboard team coached by
Rob Mutert as a youth. She also indulged in sports such a dirt
biking and four wheeling while ultimately having a great passion
for throwing fists for many, MANY years.
Curran cited, "In growing up, I
always chose independent sports that were extreme. For example
skateboarding... In competition, I’d keep up with boys and
always place within the top 3 places." She continued, "I love
independent sports because you have to pull the competition in
from within yourself. You have no team to help when your in
there. I’m an independent kind of women."
"Now I grind for my boxing. I work full time in a ware house -
8-10 hours a day, Monday through Friday outside of training
whether it be conditioning with my coach Shelly Morgan at 5 am
before work. Then, I put in another hour or two at the gym with
my coach Doug and the team!"
"I guess I can say my Ma’ introduced me to fighting! I knew I
would love it as soon as my mother introduced me to boxing. Soon
after starting class, Doug (Mango) pulled me aside and asked if
I wanted to compete. This was going to be something big for me.
Eight amateur fights and BAM! I was good enough to turn pro."
While under Trainer Doug Mango since the age of 15 to becoming a
numerous Golden Gloves contender (with only 8 amateur bouts),
Curran battled recently crowned WBC Super Lightweight Champion
Jessica "CasKilla" McCaskill in completion three times in the
unpaid ranks.
In 2016, the decision came to bang for a living and search for
that world championship gold.
Unlike normal boxing debuts, Curran was matched up against a
serious opponent on July 30, 2016 in nearby Hammond, Indiana.
Her opponent was 2-Time Amateur National Champion and unbeaten,
Bertha Aracil (then 2-0, 2 KOs) of Yonkers, New York.
Curran’s Tyson-like defense and movement made Aracil have to be
extremely strategic in her attacks. “Savage” proved that she is
a tiger, with a ton of heart and a very tough exterior since she
did not stop for the full 8 minutes of action, strutting her
tough defense stance while easing into the professional
atmosphere with some pounding rights.
For a debut match, Curran showed be metal in defeat while
keeping her smile and her go-getter enthusiasm.
Following her debut bout, she took some time away for her
marriage to Bryce Curran and then the holidays.
In June of 2017, Curran received another opportunity in
Rosemont, Illinois. Seeking her first professional victory,
Curran was matched against another powerhouse of an opponent in
world kickboxing champion Amanda Ginski (pro debut), of nearby
Pingree Gove, Illinois. Always a true competitor, Ginski was
testing the pugilist waters.
Taking a different and even more dedicated approach in her camp,
June 23rd bout with Ginski was turned out to be a true display
of determination and dedication to the sport as she blew through
the multi-sport athlete by Unanimous Decision.
Entering her third professional bout in September of 2017,
Curran validated her winning transformation in dealing 3-time
amateur national champion Jenna Johlin her first professional
defeat.
"Baby Tyson" Curran simple bobbed and weaved in stalking the
decorated champion, hammering away at the head and body in a
shutout Unanimous Decision triumph.
Curran was now on track and looking for even more of a
challenge.
2018's first bout was a June battle with highly regarded and
unbeaten 2012 Nigerian Olympian Edith Ogoke in a #WomenofBoxing
Prospect Bout.
Both participants came into this one in the best shape of their
career and with great motivation and ambitions.
With Ogoke already looking past Curran, The "Lioness of the
World" was stopped in her tracks by "Savage" and dealt a reality
blow with the Split Decision in Curran's favor.
With a win over someone that was a contender to 2-time Olympic
Gold Medalist Claressa Shields now in the rear-view mirror, more
opportunities started coming in., including the chance to right
the imperfection on her record - the L to Aracil in Curran's
debut.
A late 2018 rematch with Aracil went down a contested draw that
demonstrated the legit progression of Curran as a fighter,
improving her skill sets immensely.
Curran outworked and clearly outpointed Aracil in a bout for the
American Boxing Federation (ABF) USA Super Welterweight
Championship.
The outcome of that matchup, a contested draw, exposed the true
skills development of "Savage" Sarah. The second installment did
NOT solidify a rivalry but created a true team between Curran
and Aracil. Aracil will be instrumental in this upcoming
championship bout.
To close out 2019, another shot at an ABF championship belt
arose.
In the first ABF Championship in Chicago and Illinois, Curran
brought the Pre-Thanksgiving heat on unbeaten prospect Shianne
Gist in Elk Grove Village on Wednesday, November 21.
A capacity crowd witnessed the Match of the Night when Curran
over-powered and out-pointed Gist.
Curran was the aggressor with constant head movement and quick
1-2 attacks with heavy scoring and impacting rights. Her body
work was much improved over her 6 professional bout, where she
worked her way inside on Gist.
The Unanimous Decision victory over yet another unbeaten
prospect was an early holiday gift and definitely a reason to
celebrate.
While numerous bout offers have
been received by Curran's management team, this one is a clear
obvious choice.
This girl from rural Illinois has competed six times as a
professional boxer and all of those opponents hold great
accolades. Four of those opponents were dealt their first
professional loss. That is nearly unheard of, even in men's
boxing.
2019 is bringing new elements and pressures for Curran and her
team. Heading overseas, into someone else's backyard to claim
the IBO green and gold belt will be taxing.
Regardless of the conditions, Team Savage is ready for the
challenge.
The stars keep aligning for "Savage" Sarah as her motivation and
performance levels continue to rise. In 6 professional matches,
she has never faced an opponent with a loss and has dealt true
prospects their first defeats.
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About Team Mango Combat Sports:
Based in Elgin, Illinois within Mango Combat Sports gym, Team
Mango Combat Sports is specializing Boxing, Thai Boxing and Ji
Jitsu for all ages, from Mango Warriors for the little ones to
the professional team of boxers and MMA combatants.
Head trainer is the Fight Doctor - Doug Mango, who has worked
with fighters including: Jeff “Big Frog” Curran (UFC, WEC, PRIDE
and Strike Force Veteran), Pat Curran (Bellator World Champion),
Bart Palaszewski (UFC, WEC Veteran), Nate Mohr (UFC Veteran),
Mike Stumph (UFC Veteran), Felice Herrig (UFC, Bellator, Invicta
veteran), Danny Kelly (ISKA Muay Thai world champion), Nick
Ramirez (Professional Boxer), Lois Theobold (Professional
Boxer).
Mango's team includes Curran, unbeaten Middleweight Aracil,
nationally ranked 2020 Olympic Boxing hopeful Catherine "Cat"
Ritsuko Aiura, Bellator fighter Tim Cho, many Chicago Golden
Gloves challengers, and young champions of tomorrow.
Handling all Managerial responsibilities of the athletes, Brian
Norris, is taking the reins and assisting with day-to-day needs
of the athletes. Now, Mango Combat Sports offers all managerial
and training services in-house.
For more information, visit www.mangocombatsports.com
About #NextGenChamp:
It was derived from involvement - coaching, to college
recruitment, to professional athletic exposure.
With the expertise in marketing of many sports, #NextGenChamp is
designed to discover, educate, and develop tomorrow’s champion,
helping the athlete gain the marketing edge in: Marketability,
Developing Value, Fan Recognition, Sponsorship Acquisition,
Media Attention, Public Relations, Name Branding, and more…
For more information, visit www.NextGenChanp.com