>>>UPDATE>>>

Kaliesha West retained her title through ten rounds of fighting against challenger Claudia Andrea Lopez.  West won by majority decision with the judges scoring the bout 98-92, 98-92, 95-95.  Having live tweeted the bout, it is really hard to see how the third judge could have scored it a draw.  West was firmly in control, though the fight was tough and Lopez’s southpaw style took some getting used to.  Kaliesha has been quoted as saying, “Lopez was a crafty veteran who was aggressive during the entire fight. Other boxers avoid her because she is a tough lefty, who has experience fighting good competition. She was what we expected and then some.”

The fight is now on YouTube (albeit in Spanish).  You be the judge!

Great championship boxing on April 14th: Kaliesha West v. Claudia Andrea Lopez.

The pride of California, Kaliesha “Wild Wild” West (14-1-3, 4-KOs), the current WBO Bantamweight Champion will be defending her well earned title against Argentina’s own Claudia Andrea “La Chica 10” Lopez (18-5-0, 4-KOs) at the Ernesto Ruffo Appel Municipal Gymnasium, located in Rosarito B.C. Mexico.

For those with access to Televisa, the 10-round, championship take-no-prisoners bout will air as part of their weekly boxing series “Sabados de Corona.” The fight card is presented by Box Latino, and is slated to be led by seven-time world champion, Mexico’s Erik “El Terrible” Morales.

West first won the WBO Bantamweight title in September of 2010 and will be offering her third WBO title defence.  Her last fight was in August 2011 when she won handily over Jessica Villafranca by unanimous decision.  This will be West’s third fight in Mexico – a place she is beginning to call home especially as there are excellent boxing opportunities for her there.

West’s opponent, Claudia Andrea Lopez has the reputation as a fierce competitor and is taking this fight after winning four straight bouts.  A champion in her own right, she is the current WBC Latino Super Bantamweight champion, however, her title will not be on the line in her fight on April 14th,

Boxing News 24 has quoted West’s father and coach Juan West as saying,  “I’ve done my research and Lopez is the type of fighter that managers avoid. She’s strong, left-handed, has a solid chin and she’s a champion. She’s had some close losses to highly rated fighters. This is an opportunity for Kaliesha to make a statement and take her game to another level. She is on a mission to gain the respect of the boxing community and to build a broader fan base by grabbing the attention of casual sports fans.”

For women’s boxing fight fans who happen to be in Mexico, tickets will be available at the Ernesto Ruffo Appel Municipal Gymnasium box office or by calling the offices of Bobby D. Presents at +1 (619) 420 8866. On fight night, the doors will open at 5pm, with the first fight starting at 6pm.