Truthfully, I don't know much about women's boxing. I know Lucia Rijker was "The Most Dangerous Woman in the World." I also know Claressa Shields probably holds that title today. What I definitely know, however, is a gross mismatch when I see one.
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Miranda Adkins never should have fought Seniesa Estrada. Everyone in the fight community knew it, except for the California State Athletic Commission, the fight's promoter Golden Boy, and streaming service DAZN. (You know, the most important people.)
First, some context.
Miranda Adkins started fighting professionally just a few years ago. Entering the 42-year-old fighter's challenge versus Estrada, Adkins was a perfect 5-0 with five knockouts; Four of them were against local fighters making their pro debut. The pride of Topeka, Kansas, showed she wasn't afraid, though, taking this title fight as a late replacement Jacky Calvo.
Then, there's Seniesa Estrada. The WBC Silver light flyweight champion from Los Angeles entered the bout 18-0 with seven knockouts, ready to defend her title at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.
It took seven seconds and seven punches for "Superbad" Estrada to knock "Lil' Beastie" Adkins out cold. The fifth shot — a vicious left hook landing on Adkins' exposed chin — was the fatal blow. It's one of the fastest knockouts in women's boxing history.
Afterwards, Estrada called what happened "the outcome I expected."
Seniesa Estrada's Seven-Second KO of Miranda Adkins
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This result was foreshadowed in their body language before the fight. Estrada, who believes she's one of the sport's best pound-for-pound fighters, pounced around like a hungry lion. Adkins stood mostly still, contemplating what was about to happen. She barely made it five steps out of her corner.
When the fight ended, boxing's voices were outraged seeing this lamb sent into a lion's den. Among them was MMA Junkie's Michael Rosenthal, who wrote:
"Those who made the decision to allow Adkins to step through the ropes have a great deal of experience in the sport. They know a gross mismatch when they see one. If they don't, they shouldn't be in a position to oversee the safety of boxers.
"This was a gross mismatch, one in which the gap in skill combined with experience was too large to sanction the "fight." The fact it happened anyway should be an enormous red flag.
"No one involved in the decision will face punishment, although they probably should. Only Adkins will have suffered."
In the aftermath, CSAC executive officer Andy Foster reportedly said he "shouldn't have approved the fight," according to The Ring's Ryan O'Hara.
No shit.
Spoke with CSAC executive officer Andy Foster earlier today, who took the blame for the aftermath of The Indio Massacre on Friday between Seniesa Estrada and Miranda Adkins.
He told The Ring that he shouldn't have approved the fight. #boxing
— Ryan O'Hara (@OHaraSports) July 26, 2020
Elsewhere on the undercard, middleweight Shane Mosley Jr. — the son of "Sugar" Shane — defeated Jeremy Ramos by unanimous decision, and Hector Valdez remained undefeated in the junior featherweight division with a win over Josue Morales.
In the main event, Vergil Ortiz Jr. moved to 16-0 with a seventh-round TKO of Samuel Vargas.
Say what you will about seeing a big-time knockout. This one never should have happened, and it's put a serious stain on women's boxing and the people who oversee it.
