(FEB 10) Last night
in Laughlin, Nevada, Ava Knight, 112, of Chico, California, in an
action-packed bout, won a six-round unanimous decision over Sharon
Gaines, 111. Final judges scores were 58-56 on all cards. Butch
Gottlieb told WBAN, “Look at Knight to be wearing a belt in this
sport, she is fantastic.”
Ava
tasted sweet victory after her team felt that she was given an
unfair decision in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in January, when
she fought Jodi Esquibel and the fight ended in a split draw.
Andy
Rivera of the New Mexico Sports News website reported from Ringside,
“Ava Knight and Jodi
Esquibel fought to a disputable draw, as Knight controlled the
action by landing hard shots to the head of Esquibel , mostly off
counters after Esquibel missed.
Knight caused Esquibel's nose to
open up in the second from hard right hands. Several times through
the fight Knight backed Esquibel to the ropes or off her with hard
punches. Most at ringside felt Knight had captured the fight 3-1 in
rounds, and 39-37 on points.”
Knight began her boxing career at 13 years old. She was introduced
to boxing by her father. Before turning pro, she had a very
successful amateur career.