Yuko Kuroki and Ye Kyeng Seo will fight for the World Boxing Association minimum weight belt on January 21 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. This will be the first women’s title fight in 2025.

Kuroki is ranked No. 1 in the WBA world rankings at 105 pounds and held a black-gold belt in the lower 102-pound division, defeating Mexico’s Montserrat Alarcon in a unification fight on August 5, 2023. Kuroki then lost the title to Eri Matsuda on January 12, 2024 in her first defense, the same stage where she will attempt to regain the title.

On September 29 last year, Kuroki defeated Thailand’s Wisuta Sririttidet by technical knockout in the fourth round.

On the other hand, undefeated South Korean-born Ye Kyeng Seo made her professional debut on November 14, 2020, winning a majority decision over her compatriot Soon Oh Kim and since then, she has a total of 7 wins, including 5 quick finishes and 3 draws, two of which occurred during her last 2 appearances in 2024.

For Kyeng Seo, it will be a second chance for the world title and a win in ten rounds. He first faced another Japanese woman, Riyuna Yoshikawa, where the result was a draw.

Kuroki will arrive on January 21 with 23 wins, including 10 before the limit, 8 losses and 2 draws.

The Irish boxer was the heroine of one of the most essential events of 2024, during which she fought a rematch with Amanda Serrano, defending the reign of the World Boxing Association in the 140-pound weight class, which is a solid reference.

On November 25, 2023, in a rematch with Chantelle Cameron, she became the undisputed champion of the super lightweight category, already holding the WBA lightweight crown. And a year later, at the age of 38, she showed the world that she was still a complete athlete, making her the best athlete in her country since her days as an amateur.

Taylor was a trailblazer in her homeland when women’s boxing was a shadow in the sport of boxing. She won many medals in the amateur category, winning European, national and world championships, and even a gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012.

By the time she decided to turn professional, Taylor had fought almost 200 fights, which is sporadic in women’s boxing.

She made her professional debut in November 2016, and by October 28, 2017, with 6 fights under her belt, she won her first 135-pound world crown with the pioneering organization. He defended the WBA lightweight belt 14 times and took part in epic battles, such as the unforgettable ones against Delphine Persoon in 2019 and 2020.

As she set out to make the jump to the division, it was her turn to suffer her first loss in another tough fight against Chantelle Cameron. But her persistence saw her quickly return to the gym to try again, and that’s how she also gained 140 pounds.

Still powerful and carrying a message of faith and perseverance as a banner inspiring other women, Katie Taylor won 24 fights, 6 by knockout and only one loss.

On Friday evening, the World Boxing Association (WBA) honored women’s boxing legend and pioneer Christy Martin. The president of the organization, Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, awarded the American the title of lifetime champion for her contribution to sport and paving the path for women’s development in and outside the ring.

During a special ceremony organized during the WBA convention in Orlando, attended by Amanda Serrano, one of the best fighters of all time and a contemporary figure, the head of the pioneering organization thanked Martin for her wonderful career and awarded her the WBA title belt, which decorated her with the champion of life.

Additionally, he also named Serrano a WBA ambassador and recognized Jake Paul as the most influential promoter today for his work with world boxing prospects and fighter development in the United States.

The WBA congratulates Christy Martin, one of the pioneers of women’s boxing, and thanks her for being an example to all the fighters who have come through over the years.