The March 25th world championship fight had been marred in controversy since it became apparent that what was being billed as an IBA welterweight world championship bout, in reality was a match-up contracted at a 'catch weight' of 142 lbs. The plot thickened when  both women weighed in several pounds below the 142 lbs. mark.

What on paper seemed to be a sure shot for Sumya Anani, 25-2-1 10 KOs, became a major upset when Terri Blair, 6-10-2, 3 KOs, stopped the talented Anani 1:37 into the 10th round. Blair, 30, a southpaw from Louisville, Kentucky dropped Anani in the tenth round, leading to an eventual stoppage. Of note is the fact that Anani was ahead by  one point in two of the judges' cards coming into the last scheduled round of the championship fight.

A disappointed Anani commented that she was a champion and as such the fight should have been allowed to continue. The referee made a judgment call which according to our sources was wise and warranted. In addition, considering the knockdown in the 10th round, Anani would have lost the fight unless she could have scored a knockout against Blair.

Sumya Anani is the first woman to defeat boxing legend Christy Martin in 1999.

The fight was hosted by the Grand Victoria Casino in Rising Sun, Indiana. It was promoted by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions and Octavius James’ One in a Million Inc. of Merrillville, Indiana.

Congratulations are in order for Terri Blair, the light welterweight woman who fought for a welterweight title at a light welterweight 'catch weight.'  Believe it...

03-25-2006