What to Know
- The Championing Mental Health 3 card featured a full lineup of talented prospects working to advance their pro boxing careers.
- In the main event, Mai Soliman and Maria Micheo promised to run back their split draw in the WBC Super Flyweight eliminator.
- Otar Eranosyan defended his WBA NAHA Super Featherweight title.
In an evenly matched main event at “Championing Mental Health 3: The Ring of Opportunity,” live on UFC Fight Pass at the Commerce Casino and Hotel, Mai Soliman and Maria Micheo fought to a split draw following an action-packed 10 rounds.
Soliman and Micheo Battle to a Draw – Rematch Planned
Soliman, a native of Egypt from Sydney, Australia (10-2-1, 6 KOs), returned to the ring following her title fight against WBO Super Flyweight World Champion Mizuki Hiruta at the Pyramids of Giza in May. The fight in Commerce, California, was Soliman’s American debut.
Micheo of Guatemala City, Guatemala (14-7-2, 8 KOs) with plenty of devoted fans in the seats, immediately presented difficulties for Soliman with her unorthodox offense. Soliman settled into a rhythm and hurt Micheo in the seventh round. Micheo recovered and finished the title eliminator bout in competitive fashion. Scores were 99-91 Soliman, 97-93 Micheo, and the third event at 95-95.
“Thank you to Anthony Girges and Steve Bash for putting on this show,” said Soliman. “Being on this card is a very big honor for me. This cause is very important for fighters around the world. Fighters are people too. I want to thank my coaches and my team as well. The build-up for the fight was a big mission accomplished. We will run it back.”
Micheo agreed to the plan. “Thank you everyone for being here. It is very important for me to be here representing Latinas. I am so glad I was able to fight on this card.
“This cause deserves the exposure as CMH is helping fighters around the world. This was a well-fought fight between both of us. I felt strong and ready going into this fight, and I am ready for the rematch.”
In the co-main event presented in association with DMG Boxing, Otar Eranosyan of Akhalkalaki, Georgia (18-0, 9 KOs) defended his WBA NABA Super Featherweight title against Duvan Zuleta of Colombia (10-1-1, 8 KOs) via unanimous decision victory. Scores were 99-91, 98-92, and 96-94.
Eranosyan pressured Zuleta throughout the 10-round affair. Although he delivered high-level counter punching, Zuleta ultimately fell short against the veteran’s power as Eranosyan took control of the fight in the later rounds.
“Thank you, God. I am so happy and excited,” said Eranosyan. “This win is huge for my career, but this is just the beginning. I want a world title. Everyone who has a belt right now, clean them for me because I’m coming for it. My opponent was very tough. I did my work. I didn’t set out to knock him out. I showed you guys my boxing class. This is easy money and easy work.”
In a lightweight bout presented in association with DMG Boxing, Michael Bracamontes of Corona, California (16-2-1, 7 KOs) edged Eric Mondragon of Maywood, California (13-2-1, 5 KOs) by split decision. The judges all had scores of 97-93, two to Bracamontes and the third card for Mondragon.
Bracamontes built an early lead, but Mondragon rallied late, landing punishing shots on in the eighth round and pressing the action through the final rounds. But it was too steep a hill to climb for Mondragon.
Justin Viloria of Whittier, California (13-1, 8 KOs) dominated Willie Shaw of Vallejo, California (15-8, 10 KOs), earning a unanimous decision victory. Scores were 80-72, 78-74 and 78-74.
Carson Crawford (4-1, 1 KO) thrilled the Los Angeles crowd with her first win by knockout just 44 seconds into round one against Katrina Scalzo of New York (1-1-1).
Nicolas Robledo III (5-0, 5 KOs) unloaded on Enrique Marte (0-1) in the opening round, scoring a knockout victory at 2:25 of round one.
Presented by Rocket Doctor AI and The Precision Peptide Company in association with Bash Boxing, CMH 3 marked the third edition of 555 Media Agency’s fighter-first promotion, which connects participating fighters with mental health resources, education, and support.
Gayle Falkenthal is an award-winning boxing journalist with more than four dozen awards for both written and video coverage from the Boxing Writers Association of America, Society of Professional Journalists, and San Diego Press Club, where she is the past president. She is the only woman journalist who is a full voting member of the BWAA. She is the Boxing Editor for NY Fights based in San Diego, California.
