Female bout at Fantasy Springs

The “Lady of Boxing” Ava Knight added another knockout to her ledger at Friday’s Golden Boy Promotions’ Sólo Boxeo event at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California.

For the fans in the stands, this female fight scheduled for six rounds was the final attraction of the night–and one that got the crowd’s attention. Knight (6-1-2, 3 KOs) took on Gloria Salas (3-6-1, 1 KO) in the walkout bout of the Erislandy Lara-Delray Raines main event.

Can you say “Boom Boom POW?!”

While women’s boxing is still gaining attention–and garnering acceptance–the audience at Fantasy Springs took notice of this quick but spirited scrap between the two talented young ladies. Outfitted in red and white, Team Knight and Team Salas, in bright yellow and red, were ready for six frames of flyweight action. Fans noticing the gender of the two combatants yelled out in excitement, “Girl Fight!”

Hailing from Chino, Knight and the local favorite, Salas, from nearby Palm Springs entered the ring as “She’s a Bad Mama Jama…” blared from the speakers. The tough women squared off with Ava getting the best of her matchup against hometown hero “La Chiquita.” Fans who blinked missed the first-round KO by the taller Knight.

In the opening round, Knight, overwhelmed her game but smaller opponent with a flurry of punches. Salas went down as referee David Mendoza began the count. After staying down for a few seconds past the count of ten, Salas rose back up as the stool was brought to her. The bout ended at 1:55 of round one.

But you can expect to see more female fighters as the 2012 Olympic Games near. For the first time ever, women’s boxing will be included in the international competition. Knight and Salas both give little girls around the world the courage and inspiration to dream that they too can lace up in this male-dominated sport.

And after Ava’s knockout victory, many fans voiced their opinion that they would like to see more women warriors inside the ropes.

For Team Knight, being featured in this Golden Boy Promotions card is something they were both honored and appreciative of in this “golden” opportunity. Before the fights began, I saw Claudia Ollis, a vital part of the Knight camp, who told me how excited she was that the ladies were going to be showcased in the beautiful desert casino.

Ollis has literally been “Changing the Face of Women’s Boxing” with her group of skilled female gladiators. The striking businesswoman continues to make a mark in the sport. And as Oscar De La Hoya himself met with the lady boxers, Team Knight celebrated this victory, and her first time back in the ring since August of 2009.

Post-fight, Claudia and Ava came out to meet the press after the win. The vivacious Ollis brought her young phenom over to meet me.

“Congrats, Ava, on your first round KO,” I told the petite slugger. “Is that what your team predicted?”

“I was actually predicting the second round,” the humble fighter said with just a hint of a smile. “But hard work really pays off–and this is great!”

“Who do you want next?”

The 22-year-old thought for a minute before answering. “Anyone they throw in front of me. I don’t say no…so anyone!” she answered with a nod. “I’m down for it–I want them all.”

Ben Bautista and her corner then chimed in while also confidently adding, “World titles–we want world titles!”

“Thank you, Ava,” I tell the team, “and congratulations again.”

“Thanks!” the pretty power puncher says with a grin.

She is poised, polite and thoughtful outside the ring, and poised, powerful and tremendous inside the ring.

In her newest victory, Ava Knight proved to have a real knockout of a night.

Keep an eye on her as she continues to change the face of boxing.

Photos courtesy of Claudia Ollis and Team Knight/ Ring photos by Ray Flores