Bad Left Hook will have live, round-by-round coverage of two cards on Friday, December 2, as well as live coverage of the Cotto vs Margarito weigh-in in the afternoon from New York City, but let's take at a Friday fight flying largely under the radar, as women's boxing often will.
The most evenly-matched top level fight on Friday is probably a women's title bout between two of the top fighters in the world, as Holly Holm (30-1-3, 9 KO) takes on Anne Sophie Mathis (25-1, 21 KO) in Albuquerque at the Route 66 Casino. Holm, 30, is touted as the world's top junior welterweight, while 34-year-old Mathis of France is considered by some the world's top welterweight.
Holm, known as "The Preacher's Daughter," hasn't lost since 2004, when she was stopped on a bad cut causing her corner to throw in the towel. Two of her three draws came very early in her career (as did the loss), and the last draw was in 2008 against Mary Jo Sanders.
Mathis hasn't lost since her second pro fight back in 1995, after which she was out of the sport until 2003. Since returning, she's been one of the most successful women's boxers on the planet.
One of the frequent criticisms of women's boxing -- and, frankly, a valid criticism -- is that too often the truly good fighters have no competition. This is not one of those instances. Both of these women can fight, and are among the world's best.
After the jump are additional photos from their weigh-in yesterday. Holm came in at 145.6 pounds, compared to Mathis' 145.4.
Both photos by Chris Cozzone.