Shuretta Metcalf made history Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, becoming the first Women's world champion from Dallas when Metcalf picked up the IBF World Bantamweight title unanimously. She worked behind a stiff jab to keep Miyo Yoshida, originally from Japan, who now trains and flights out of Glesaon's Gym in New York at bay and unable to get on the inside and outwork Metcalf. In what was a competitive 10-round affair. Metcalf remained in control, removed any doubt from their previous fight, and picked up a unanimous decision by scores of 99-91, 97-93, and a much too close 96-94. Metcalf outpointed Yoshido last year in a much closer affair. Yashido went onto weather IBF strap by outpointing Ebani Bridges in San Francisco in December 2023.
Also on the card was Fort Worth native Edward "Kid" Vazquez, who was in complete control of his scheduled 10-round contest with Kenneth Taylor, originally of Kansas City, Missouri, and now fights out of Tyler, Texas. Vazquez controlled the fight and fought extremely efficiently off his front foot, forcing Taylor backward and displaying some power that Vazquez has not been noted for in the past. A second-round jab from the Fort Worthian staggered Taylor.. Vazquez was able to cut off the ring and keep Taylor against the ropes. The continuous pressure paid off, and Taylor and his corner had decided they had seen enough and kept their man on the stool, securing the stoppage victory for Vazquez, who moved his record to 17-2 (4). The victorious fighter seemed upset with the decision of Taylor and his team not to continue and waved his glove at him in disgust and appeared to tell him to come out and fight. Vazquez, 29, is a world title contender at 130-pounds and will look to add that world title in 2025 after falling just short in 2023 when he was robbed of a decision against Joe Cordina.
