(FEB 1) Duda “Diamond” Yankovich,
former WIBA Light Welterweight Champion, born in Jagodina,
Serbia and now a resident of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, once again
steps into the spotlight in a main event for the vacant WBO
Lightweight title.
PROBOX del CARIBE, of Barranquilla, Columbia represented by Mr.
Juan Carlos Devia will host this “All-In” Championship bout
between former WIBA Light Welterweight Champion, Duda Yankovich
(11-3), and Columbia's Enis Pacheco (8-1), on March 16, 2012 in
Barranquilla, Columbia, for the vacant WBO Lightweight Title.
Although Enis Pacheco is not as highly recognized as the last
three opponents Yankovich faced, for each fighter it is a
‘Must-Win’ situation; for Pacheco it’s an opportunity to redeem
herself and put all doubt as to her level of competition, but
more so for Yankovich, who suffered three consecutive losses to
Holly Holm, Esther Phiri and Ann Sophie Mathis, respectively.
Yankovich was asked why was she moving down in weight and she
responded; “I am more comfortable and, feel much better at
lightweight. Me and my team have decided that at 135 pounds, I
would be more effective. I have no excuses for my three losses;
I went back to the drawing board and, as I said, my team and I
have an agenda which my manager is handling….” “I want to
compete because I know I was born to compete and my mind is set
on my goals,” Yankovich says.
Yankovich’s manager Eddie Montalvo was asked why the sudden
change in divisions?
Montalvo said, "First I would like to thank PROBOX del Caribe,
Mr. Carlos Devia and Ms. Enis Pacheco for making this bout
possible…” “ALL-IN is the perfect additive to this WBO
Lightweight World Title bout because for Yankovich it is an
“All-In” situation…” “Let's keep in mind that 2 of Yankovich's 3
losses were by TKO against the best Pound-for-Pound fighters in
the Sport; natural welterweights (HOLM and MATHIS) with
considerable reach advantages, and that she never competed as a
lightweight, a division with far more opposition in the likes of
Erica Farias (WBC Champion), Alejandra Oliveras (WBA), Melissa
Hernandez, Mary McGee, Delfine Peerson, Ann Marie Sacurato,
Diane Prazak, Karo Ro, Kimberly Conner, Erin McGowan, Raika
Emiko and, some of the Super Featherweights like Kina Malpartida
(WBA), Frida Wallberg, Lindsay Garbatt, and Marie Reiderer who
can all compete at 135 pounds….” “Yankovich's determination to
make her keep as a fighter is evident in her everyday training
regimen and in the way she is preparing herself for this bout
against Pacheco. At 135 pounds, ‘Diamond’ comes in sharper and
more agile carrying with her that power she lacked in her only 3
losses. As a lightweight Duda will do exceptionally well.”
March 16, 2012, in Barranquilla, Columbia, Duda “Diamond”
Yankovich vs. Enis Pacheco for the Vacant WBO Lightweight
Championship. (Stay tune for Live Broadcast details).
# # #
# #
# # #
WBAN's thoughts on this being a title fight. Duda's last
win was in 2008, and Enis is coming in with a loss on her last
fight. This is not a bad matchup and should be
entertaining, but non-title would be more than appropriate.
Neither boxer are ranked in the top ten on boxrec.
