In Mexico, female boxing rules, as illustrated by this Saturday's Melissa McMorrow vs. Mariana "La Barbie" Juarez bout. Millions of fight fans will tune in for the flyweight battle between San Francisco's "Mighty" McMorrow and the sexy slugger Juarez. Mexican promoters always include women's bouts, and many times they are the Main Event. Oscar De La Hoya co-promotes many of those shows south of the border, yet Golden Boy Promotions continues to use female fighters as a novelty rather than a consistent element here at home. Northern California boxing writers Dennis Taylor of www.ringsideboxingshow.com and John Raspanti of www.doghouseboxing.com are advocates of seeing female fighters on shows promoted by Don Chargin and Paco Presents, but the promoters who could carve out a legacy of including a woman's bout on every fight card, refuse to make that commitment. In fact, those promoters have not had a female fight on any of their shows in 5 years. The success of Claressa Shields and Marlen Esparza at the London Olympics has not aided the cause for female fighters. Ava Knight is also a World Champion from Northern California, but must travel to Mexico for her paydays. California has become a graveyard to female fighters. Quality boxers train in the Golden State, but there are no fights to be found at home. There are no signs that promoters who can make a difference care to try. Perhaps media who support the concept will bombard area promoters with questions as to "why not", for at least a few answers rather than silence on the topic. We'll see if boxing scribes Taylor and Raspanti will keep badgering Chargin, Paco and others for answers, keep probing those who can make a difference.

• published: 19 Feb 2014
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