Yulihan Luna Wins Tough Battle with Mayeli Flores!
WBC bantamweight champion Yuliahn “La Cobrita” Luna (23-3-1, 4KOs) got more than what she bargained for in a successful title defense against the relentless pressure of Mayeli Flores (8-1-1, 3KOs).
La Cobrita shocked the boxing community by snatching the WBC bantamweight championship away from legendary Mexican female fighter Mariana “Barbie” Juarez in 2020. That victory propelled the 28-year-old into the minds of the boxing community. Luna has not lost a fight since losing to Guadalupe Guzman in 2018 and has been on a tear.
Flores is a new face on the scene but is coming off an eighteen-month layoff. She got introduced to the boxing world after a victory over former WBC super flyweight champion Zulina Munoz back in 2019. What Flores lacks in experience, she makes up for in aggression and determination.
FIREWORK STARTED EARLY
Luna the significantly taller fighter, tried to use the jab and superior footwork to maintain distance to control the fight. However, Flores came out like a bull and managed to get inside and landed hard overhand rights. The WBC champion was feeling uncomfortable as the smaller fighter was making it a dog fight.
Flores’ aggression was beginning to become the story of the fight as she continued to bully the champion against the ropes. But in the second round, Luna took advantage of the over-aggressive Flores by stepping back and landing a perfect left hook that dropped the challenger to the canvas.
As the fight continued, Luna’s boxing skills started to take over as the left hook and straight right hand found a home due to Flores’ lack of head movement. Moreover, she would land a sharp and crisp uppercut, and left hook combinations at will.
The wild style of Flores was causing Luna to hold whenever both fighters were close. In round five, things started to get strange as Luna and Flores got tied up after a wild exchange, but the referee deducted a point from the champion for holding. Furthermore, Flores hit the champion after the bell without receiving a warning.
IT GOT UGLY AND ROUGH
Round six was even stranger, as Flores came rushing in like a bull and headbutted Luna, causing a cut over the left eye. Luna stopped and walked towards her corner and the referee took a point away from the challenger.
Down the stretch, Luna, frustrated by the brawling roughhouse tactics of the challenger, channeled her superior boxing skills. She began pumping the jab and fighting off the back foot while landing several unanswered right hook counters.
Flores would have some moments, landing two big overhand rights. However, Luna’s left hooks and straight right hands carried the fight until the final bell sounded.
All three judges scored it unanimously for Luna. In a fight that was not easy, the champion earned the successlful first defense of the title.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
By: Garrisson Bland
