(AUG 14) On August 20, 2011, WBO
Bantamweight Champion, Kaliesha “Wild Wild” West, of Moreno
Valley, California, 13-1-3, 4 KOs, will defend her title at the
Black Pyramid Casino, in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico, against
Jessica Villafranca, Nicolas Romero, Mexico, 12-2-0, 6 KOs), in
a 10-round bout.
West’s WBO title defense will be
featured on the Mexican television network, Televisa, at 8 p.m.
CT. The fight card titled, “Triple Corona,” is presented by the
Mexican boxing promotion, HG Boxing.
Kaliesha West, 23, makes her debut with HG Garcia Boxing on the
August 20 fight card. In July of 2011, HG Boxing’s promoter,
Hector Garcia, signed West to join his impressive promotional
roster that includes female world champions, Ana Marie Torres
and Arely Mucino.
West said, “I feel fortunate to
be signed with an international boxing promoter who takes care
of their female fighters. With HG Boxing, I feel that I am in
great hands and that I made a great choice.”
Juan West expressed his excitement in bringing Team West to
Mexico. “The people of Mexico are passionate about the sport of
boxing. In Mexico, boxing is featured on television almost every
Saturday and everyone watches. Kaliesha will positively
represent her mother’s Mexican heritage.”
Kaliesha said, “Mexico is a
country where the sport of boxing is very much appreciated. On
August 20, not only will the boxing crowd who attends the fight
get a chance to see my boxing skills, but a large television
audience as well. I am looking forward to fighting before the
Mexican fans that are supportive of women’s boxing. I plan to
showcase my boxing talents in a spectacular way.”
Tickets for the fight can be purchased at the Black Pyramid
Casino, in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. For any questions, please
contact Lorin Chvotkin of Team West by email at
Lbchoyas@yahoo.com or by
phone at (240) 498-1478.
WBAN was also in contact with Kaliesha's promoter, Héctor
García, via email. He gave permission to use the information he
sent us to talk about the frustration of getting an opponent for
West for this upcoming fight. Héctor stated the following:
"This is the debut for Kaliesha, in México and it was a little
difficult to find someone for this fight. We tried to find some
Mexican boxer for her, but we could not and we looked at many
boxers, and no one would accept the fight. We had spoken to Yanina Acuña of Argentina, and they did say
'yes' but then later
they declined the fight because she was ill. We then attempted
to get Fredee Gonzalez, and it was the same situation. They
first said, 'yes', but later declined. Finally we were able to get
Jessica Villafranca, 12-2. She fights in different divisions
because we know in women's boxing, it is hard to get a fight, so
many times they accept fights in different weight classes.
Garcia added, "You know we support Women and try to give them
the opportunity and we put Women's Boxing in a high level in
México. I have six female Champions and they fight very often.
And I now start with Kaliesha's boxing career in México, and I
am sure she consolidate her career in México." Best
Regards, Héctor García