Being a legend means being in the collective memory for eternity. Naoko Fujioka is the World Boxing Association 112 lbs. champion. On Saturday, April 9, in Texas, United States, she will be between the ropes against the star Marlen Esparza.

Both fighters will seek to unify their championships: Esparza is the WBC flyweight champion. Unification fights among the lower divisions are no common. But it is not the only reason why this bout is so important: but, the prestigious The Ring belt, the first in a small women’s division, will also be at stake. In The Ring’s world rankings, Fujioka is in second place while her opponent is in first place. 

As for the 46-year-old Japanese warrior, we know that her golden page has already been written as champion of five different categories and the defeat of other important figures such as Mariana “Barby” Juarez in March 2015. In her 5’2’’ (1.58 meter), Fujioka presents a powerful punch that has allowed her to score 7 knockouts among her 19 victories, only 2 defeats and only 1 draw. While the young Esparza, 32, has a faster and more frequent punching style. She is an Olympic medalist and featured one of the most spectacular clashes in modern women’s boxing; she lost to Seniesa Estrada in 2019. 

This is not just another showdown for either boxer, no. It is about the opportunity to be remembered generation after generation. The boxing public will enjoy a fierce battle from Texas.