The Venezuelan Alys Sánchez showed her class with dominance against Liliana Palmera in Barranquilla, Colombia, to become the new World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Bantamweight Champion by split decision.
Sánchez arrived as a visitor against a solid champion who had made four defenses in the division. Another difficulty was the fact of having to travel by land due to problems with the airlines in her country. However, “La China” quickly showed her preparation, stood in there and fought Palmera face to face, whom did not yield her crown easily.
The boxers exchanged blows and the Venezuelan focused her attack on the body of her rival during the first half of the fight. Palmera was making adjustments as the fight went on, but a visibly stronger Sanchez knew how to respond to each one of them. In the second part of the fight, the war continued to develop in the ring, but Sanchez showed her physical strength and endurance and she even put the Colombian close to a knockout in the eighth round.
In the end, two of the judges favored the Venezuelan with 97-92 and 95-94 cards, while the other favored of the local, 94-95.
Sanchez, who had been Interim Champion until 2014, was crowned again, but this time as the Regular Champion, and improved her record to 15 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw and 4 knockouts. Palmera now has a balance of 27 wins, 12 losses, 3 draws and 16 knockouts.
