(MAR 24) In an exciting
night of live boxing at the Bourbon Hall, in Louisville,
Kentucky there were seven scheduled bouts on the card.
In the co-main featured one female bout, featuring Rosalinda
Rodriguez, 117, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and her opponent,
Shelly Barnett, 118, of Toronto, Canada.
Both entered the ring,
undefeated, but Rodriguez came out the winner, and still
undefeated with a record of 9-0-0 (2KO), adding a the WIBA
Bantamweight title. Barnett, suffered her first loss as a
professional and is now 4-1-2 (0KO). In a toe-to-toe
battle between these two, Rosalinda, won by an eight-round
unanimous decision. Final judges scores were 80-72, 77-75, and
79-75.
Mercedes Vazquez Simmons, of
Pretty Girl Productions, promoter of Rosalinda, told WBAN, "I’m
proud of Both women for putting on a stellar fight worthy of a
world title. Rosalinda has had some major set backs in her
career including being stripped from a title since she was not
able to defend it during her nearly year long medical related
ring absence. However, she was able to push through and kept
positive. It has been her life wish to fight for an WBC
title. We hope we are given an opportunity in 2019, a life
dream. For now she will continue to train. We have a
tentative fight in Puerto Rico in May with the opponent TBD."
In 2018, Rosalinda
had three professional bouts, winning all three against Crystal
Hoy, Martina Horgasz, and Ivana Coleman. She won all by
eight-round unanimous decisions. Barnett also stayed
active, having four fights in 2018, winning two by decision over
Alisah McPhee, and Karla Venezuela, and two draws against
Margarita Angeles and Maria Zamora.
Ada "The Ace" Velez,
retired multi-world champion said in a post-fight comment, "As
for the fight----first and foremost I take my hats off for
Shelly who gave one hell of a fight to my fighter Rosalinda."
"I knew with the
preparation for this fight we knew we were going to win with
Boxing skills and techniques Rosalinda did over come Shelly.
Besides who is her trainer, know better then ADA ACE VELEZ! Off
to the next one. We love you all and especially Pretty
Girl Promotion! Mercedes Simmon!", added Velez.
