UPCOMING EVENTS

Untitled Document

Julaton Dismantles Biggers wins WBO Title in San Jose

In front of 3,943 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California on Friday night, locally-based Ana Julaton picked up the WBO Superbantamweight belt and took steps towards greater stardom in the process. Julaton claimed the WBO Super Bantamweight title, her second world title, with a unanimous decision over Donna Biggers.

The action started quickly in the first round of the main event, as Julaton (6-1-1, 1 KO) of Daly City, California met Biggers (19-8-1, 16 KOs) of Boiling Springs, South Carolina at center ring. Julaton, 122, got off to a great start, popping Biggers, 120, with some crisp shots in the first minute. Despite Biggers’ inflated knockout numbers, it was apparent from the outset that Julaton possessed the strength advantage, aided by her sharper punching technique.

By the end of round two, blood began to run down Biggers’ face from near her right eye, although the cut would eventually be contained by her cutman. By the middle rounds, much of the steam had left Biggers’ punches. On full display were all the facets of the game that Julaton had worked tirelessly to improve, including elusiveness, hand speed and power-punching in combination.

Despite the best efforts of the incredibly durable Biggers, the bout was soon a one-sided affair, as Julaton routinely landed her punches at will. Biggers, perhaps to her greater detriment, proved to have a chin made of granite, as several clean shots violently snapped her head back, but never dropped her. Still, Biggers pressed on to take more punishment.

Late in the fight, Julaton switched up her tactics and turned boxer to cruise to the unanimous decision win. In the end, all three judges scored the bout for Julaton by the scores of 100-90 and 99-91 twice.

With the victory, Julaton claimed the inaugural WBO 122-pound title, her second world title in as many fights. Last time out, Julaton took home the IBA Super Bantamweight title with her decision win over Kelsey Jeffries. The WBO had previously sanctioned just three female world championships.

While there are some attractive, and potentially lucrative, unification possibilities at 122-pounds, Julaton was not ready to call out any names just yet. “I unified two belts. I hope I can unify another belt,” said Julaton just after the bout. “It would be nice to unify all of the titles, but we will see what is best to set up big, exciting fights to get a lot more fans involved with female fighting. I just want to sit back, soak everything in for right now and see what’s next.”

Julaton’s chief goal in boxing goes beyond claiming title belts. Dating back to her amateur days, Julaton has beaten the drum for women’s athletics and boxing in particular. “There is a big movement and momentum with the women’s fight game,” says Julaton. “I feel we are close to bringing it to the mainstream here in America.”