Tenorio beats Namauleg in first ever boxing match for women

Soledad “The Rebel” Tenorio made boxing history Saturday night in Predator or Prey when she beat Tara “The Terrible” Namauleg via unanimous decision in the Commonwealth’s first-ever women’s boxing match.

The Tenorio-Namauleg match provided a welcome respite from the brutality of the 10 mixed martial arts fights, as the over 1,000 fight fans were treated to a more slow-paced competition that had referee James Ravilla sometimes literally begging both fighters to mix it up at center ring.

The first round was more like a feeling out and sizing up period for Tenorio and Namauleg, as both fighters kept their distance from one another, contented with just throwing occasional jabs here and there.

Action picked up in the second with Namauleg rushing and sneaking in swooping uppercuts. Tenorio, meanwhile, used her superior footwork to dodge Namauleg’s bombs and was also successful in landing jabs to the body and head of her opponent.

Things got a bit testy between the two ladies when Tenorio and Namauleg, instead of boxing, tried to shove each other resulting in the latter stumbling a couple of times, with Ravilla careful to alert the judges that it was not due to a punch.

Both fighters were visibly tired after the first two three-minute rounds and it showed with Tenorio and Namauleg taking their time to get up from their corners at the start of the third and final round.

Moreover, at one point in the final three minutes of the contest, Namauleg retreated to her corner after Ravilla called time and Tenorio also repeatedly tried to catch her breath in between jabs to Namauleg’s body.

By the match’s conclusion, Tenorio was clearly delivering and landing more shots to the head and body than Namauleg. Tenorio also had an enthusiastic fanbase ringside which kept her going strong.

In the end, the three judges called the fight in Tenorio’s favor , 30-26, 30-27, and 29-26.

Predator or Prey was Gorilla Warfare Production’s initial foray into the local MMA scene.

The outfit’s Jeff Boyer said he would like to thank everyone who made Predator or Prey, which was held at the Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort, a success.

“Gorilla MMA thanks all fight fans for coming to the show, our sponsors for their unwavering support, and our fighters who put on one of the best shows Saipan has seen in a while. They truly deserve most of the credit.”

He added that Gorilla MMA will continually endeavor to bring its fans and supporters exciting events which it hopes will increase the exposure the local MMA fighters deserve.

“We’d also like to thank all the independent fighters and fight gyms that pulled it all together, namely Predator Combat Team, Marianas Elite, Trech Tech, UTC, Choke Chain, Dragon Tribe, Zalaka, D.A.T,” he said.