NYF PROSPECT WATCH: Elena Saveleva

For the women’s boxing sphere to truly flourish in the US, there has to be international cooperation. A United Nations, of sorts, needs to be established, because there simply won’t be the talent pool grown here in the US to supply enough boxers to a place where the scene is vibrant. This almost goes without saying, but it needs to be said, because here’s the thing: women fighting isn’t universally accepted as a “thing” here in America, not for that matter the rest of the world.

So, Claressa Shields will be aided in her climb to help re-establish a women’s scene that can support a good number of shows and incubate lots of demand for women’s action on screens of all forms if women from other countries also are seeking to make their marks in the square ring.

Boxing fans know that Russian hitters, and Ukrainians and boxers from Kazahkstan have been leaving their marks, bruises, cuts, on foes and the marketplace in the US. Hello, a man from the Ukraine, Vasyl Lomachenko is considered by many to be the top pound for pound pugilist on the planet.

As for the ladies, that incursion isn’t at the same level. But the action is heating up…

Yesterday (Dec. 12), a prospect named Elena Saveleva gloved up, seeking to go to 3-0, in Helsinki. The flyweight promoted by Dmitriy Salita, who also promotes Shields, and Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, so we can expect I think to see her doing her thing in the States sooner rather than later.

The 33 year old Savaleva got that W, via stoppage in round six, over Oksana Romanova, and Salita shared with us his thoughts on her effort, and future.

“Elena is part of the elite group of boxers from outside the US who has consistently won major international competitions. She is pound for pound one of the best female prospects in the world, she also has all her wins as a pro by KO, and will add a lot of flavor to woman’s boxing. Elena and Nicola Adams would be a very exciting super fight in woman’s boxing, former amateur rivals fighting for a world title,” Salita told us. “Her excellent skills and story add an international flavor to woman’s boxing. These ladies who are incredible athletes are doing a great service to society by being symbols of strength, success and progression.”

Saveleva was the very first woman to glove up and fight in the Olympics, was voted bets boxer in the 2016 Russian women’s nationals. She has a draw with Nicola Adams, another top tier hitter transitioning to the pro scene.

This subset in the sport is one to watch in 2018, and Salita is solidifying himself to corner a large market segment in the near future.