WORLDS APART
Previewing ghts in Scotland and Thailand
WHEN Aberdeen’s Kristen Fraser made her professional debut in March last year, she became Scotland’s maiden female pro, hence her nickname, “TFE” (The First Ever). This Saturday (November 24), on an SM Promotions event at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel (Aberdeen Treetops) in her hometown, Fraser vies for the vacant Commonwealth bantamweight belt over 10-twos against the 7-4-2 (5) Ellen Simwaka, from Lilongwe in Malawi.
Fighting out of South Africa, Simwaka, 21, has recorded just one success in her last six, albeit including two draws. The so-far-untested Fraser, 30, meanwhile, has won all five of her contests to date (one inside schedule). Considering Simwaka is yet to compete outside of Africa, she is up against it. Fraser’s jab and body work can see her through on the scorecards.
Four days later (Wednesday November 28), around 6,000 miles away in Chonburi, Thailand, Knockout CP Freshmart, 18-0 (7), defends his WBA strawweight strap in a rematch against Byron Rojas, 25-3-3 (11) 1NC, whom he took the title from on a close unanimous decision in June 2016, also in Thailand.
Since their initial encounter, 28-year-old Thai Freshmart, of Surin, has made five successful defences of his WBA crown, while Nicaragua’s Rojas, also 28, has notched eight wins from eight, though at a much lower level. Going on these performances, Freshmart looks like the one who has kicked on and progressed even further as a fighter, whereas Rojas has been treading water somewhat in under-the-radar outings.
Rojas does boast an excellent away victory over South Africa’s two-weight world champion Hekkie Budler (ud 12 – March 2016), but the Matagalpa man is likely to suffer the same fate against Freshmart as he did the first time around – a defeat on points.