LadySports ::: Auburn Hills Boxing

Remember the RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE? Remember THRILLA IN MANILA??

On October 17, at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Donofrio Promotions put on SHOWDOWN IN MOTOWN which featured Mary Jo Sanders vs Holly Holm, for Holms' IFBA junior middleweight title.

To say the ladies fought hard for ten rounds would be an understatement.

To say that Holly Holm was disappointed with the verdict--a majority draw--would also be an understatement.

This was the 2nd battle between the two women, now arguably among the top five in all of boxing. The first match held in New Mexico on June 13th (Hollys' hometown) was won by Holm and she became the new middleweight champion in what some thought as a stunning upset.

The rematch, held in Auburn Hills, (a Detroit suburb, and home of the Detroit Pistons) was the homecourt of Sanders, who at 34 now sports a record of 25-1-1. Mary Jo is the daughter of former Detroit Lions great Charlie Sanders, who proudly cheered on his daughter from front row ringside.

The 26 year old Holm, now 22-1-3 came ready to fight--to prove her title win was no mistake.

Mary Jo Sanders, however, was out to prove that the original loss was a fluke, and what the crowd saw was ten rounds of non stop action from start to finish, that saw very little clinching or stalling at any point. The pace was set in round one, and it appeared that the winner was going to be determined by who the most conditioned athlete was that night.

Round nine and ten looked to belong to Mary Jo and the crowd was on its feet roaring at the fights conclusion. Was it enough? Nobody was sure, certainly not the two tough competitors. As referee Steve Smoger held the hands of the two warriors awaiting the judges decision, Holly appeared glum. Sanders appeared optimistic.

Judge Paul Smith scored it 93-97 in favor of Holm; Judges Marty Denkin and Steve Weisfeld both carded it 95-95.

The only real conclusion is that there will be a third fight -- probably in the first quarter of 2009 -- and at a neutral site this time. The public deserves this fight. And nobody deserves it more then Mary Jo Sanders and Holy Holm. Third times the charm, or so they say!