World Boxing Organization (WBO) Bantamweight Champion, Kaliesha “Wild Wild” West (Moreno Valley, California, 13-1-3, 4 KOs) will defend her title at the Black Pyramid Casino, in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico, against Jessica Villafranca (Nicolas Romero, Mexico, 12-2-0, 6 KOs), in a 10-round bout. West’s WBO title defense will be featured on the Mexican television network, Televisa, at 8 p.m. CT. The fight card titled, “Triple Corona,” is presented by the Mexican boxing promotion, HG Boxing.
Kaliesha West, who is twenty-three years of age, makes her debut with HG Garcia Boxing on the August 20 fight card. In July of 2011, HG Boxing’s promoter, Hector Garcia, signed West to join his impressive promotional roster that includes female world champions, Ana Marie Torres and Arely Mucino. West said, “I feel fortunate to be signed with an international boxing promoter who takes care of their female fighters. With HG Boxing, I feel that I am in great hands and that I made a great choice.”
Her father, Juan West, is her current trainer and has been her boxing manager since the beginning of her boxing career. He said, “I am thankful for Hector Garcia and HG Boxing. They believe in putting female boxers on a big stage, so that they can shine. HG Boxing is setting a good example for all boxing promoters in the world to follow.”
Jessica Villafranca is just eighteen years old, but has already fought fourteen professional fights. In her last bout, she earned a TKO victory. Juan West said, “I realized how tough the young, Jessica Villafranca is, after she contended for the Lightweight Title against Erica Farias. I am very confident in Kaliesha and have prepared her to face the best in the world. A manager knows that matching a fighter requires the right timing and opportunity. We have offered this title defense to many women, and for whatever reason, the opportunity was turned down.” Kaliesha West said, “It doesn’t matter who I fight. I will be ready and prepared for whatever my opponent brings.”
Juan West expressed his excitement in bringing Team West to Mexico. “The people of Mexico are passionate about the sport of boxing. In Mexico, boxing is featured on television almost every Saturday and everyone watches. Kaliesha will positively represent her mother’s Mexican heritage.” Kaliesha said, “Mexico is a country where the sport of boxing is very much appreciated. On August 20, not only will the boxing crowd who attends the fight get a chance to see my boxing skills, but a large television audience as well. I am looking forward to fighting before the Mexican fans that are supportive of women’s boxing. I plan to showcase my boxing talents in a spectacular way.”
Born in South Haven, Michigan, Kaliesha West began boxing at the age of ten. Her family relocated to Moreno Valley, California, and she became a decorated amateur boxing star, winning 98 amateur bouts, including the 2003 National Golden Gloves. She began her pro career in 2006, when she was just eighteen years old. On September 18, 2010, she won the vacant Women’s WBO Bantamweight title on the under card of the Mosley-Mora Golden Boy Promotions PPV, by defeating Angel Gladney, via a seventh-round knockout. The fight took place at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California and was held during the Mexican Bicentennial Celebration.
Tickets for the fight can be purchased at the Black Pyramid Casino, in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. For any questions, please contact Lorin Chvotkin of Team West by email at [email protected] or by phone at (240) 498-1478. For the latest updates on Kaliesha West, add her official fan page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/OfficialKalieshaWest. Follow Kaliesha West on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/kwildwildwest.