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PENNYBAKER
LOOKS TO DERAIL HOLMBy Andy Rivera
Photo Courtesy of Fresquez Productions
Pittsburgh native Shadina Pennybaker hopes she can repeat her hometown team, the Pittsburgh Steelers run to the World Title with a run of her own, when she battles IBA Welterweight Champion Holly Holm this Friday at Isleta Casino, outside Albuquerque, New Mexico. Pennybaker is confident that she will dethrone Holm in her hometown and end her run as champion.
Pennybaker who started boxing in 1998 to get into shape after topping over 180 pounds on her 5'5 frame. Pennybaker liked enough that when she got a call to fight Laila Ali, daughter of "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali, in both fighters debut. Pennybaker went in the fight giving Ali all she can handle before succumbing in the fourth round.
She would go back to the gym got in better shape and reeled off eight straight wins, before battling Mary Joe Sanders the current WBC Welterweight champion. Dropping two decisions back to back to Sanders. Pennybaker fell for the third straight time, this time getting halted in two by Monica Nunez.
Fighting at a higher weight then she should be Pennybaker, who has fought anywhere from 142 to 161, she bounced back at with a win at 147 in 2004 and one more win in 2005. IT was then she received a call to fight Holly Holm. At first it was to be at a catch weight according to Pennybaker. "I got a call to fight Holly, but when I heard it wouldn't be a title fight I told the promoter that I will drop to 140 and put her title on the line." Says Pennybaker. "I figured if I'm going to come to her home town then I might as well make it worth it".
When discussing Holms rise to stardom. Pennybaker isn't impressed. "Who has she fought, Mi St. John can't fight, she is more of a show then fighter, plus she is a lightweight not a Jr. Welterweight, as for Christy Martin she was good, but she's old now, she used to be real good but now she can't fight no more."
For Pennybaker, who is ranked at in the top three at 154lb in all major organizations, to win she feels she has to dominate Holm in front hometown crowd, but Pennybaker feels she may have to win by knockout. "I hope and pray I can get a fair decision here in her hometown, I hear its hard to beat Holm here in New Mexico, but hopefully I won't leave any doubt in the fight."
Willie Edwards, Pennybakers trainer, feels his fighter is going to shock people and take Holms belt. "Shadina is going t0 give Holm a boxing lesson, she is the better fighter and come February 24th the world will see she will win."
In fighting Holm Pennybaker will be fighting at the lightest she has ever fought, 140, but if this was the only title fight opportunity she can get at 34 years of age and in her seventh year in boxing, taking on Holm is what she needs to do. "Its an opportunity I can't pass up, so losing the weight won't be a problem."
Tickets are going great for the "Fist of Fury" card
For ticket information contact the Isleta Casino ticket office or at www.tickets.com
Keep checking back as we will have interviews coming this week as we will have interviews from the fighters on the card.