Strippers?
California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) Executive Director Andy Foster came under fire for his decision to approve the Seniesa Estrada vs. Miranda Adkins junior flyweight showdown at “The Golden State’s” Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio.
Probably because Estrada, 28, is an elite pugilist who entered the bout at 18-0 with seven knockouts, having recently turned away Olympic bronze medalist Marlen Esparza. Adkins, on the other hand, was 42 years old with just five professional fights.
Though we may need to reconsider what constitutes “professional fights.”
“If I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t have approved that fight,” Foster told The Ring. “I certainly didn’t think she was going to win the fight. But I thought it would go longer than seven seconds. On paper, hindsight is 20-20 for everybody. Now that we know the outcome, I think it’s fair to criticize me for approving that because I’m critical of myself. I kinda blew this one.”
Foster also rubber stamped the ill-fated comeback of Chuck Liddell.
According to a new report from The Ring, Adkins — who is the wife of Midwest boxing promoter John Carden — padded her 5-0 record by fighting strippers and walk-ons with no experience (and no equipment).
“They show up to the venue with nothing,” the source told boxing journalist Ryan O’Hara. “No shorts. No shoes. No mouthguard. Nothing. Then, they borrow from (other) fighters. It’s really fucked up.”
Adkins was not Estrada’s first choice of opponents, according to Golden Boy matchmaker Robert Diaz. But logistical issues, as well as the current health climate, sidelined both Canadian standout Kim Clavel and WBA strawweight titleholder Anabel Ortiz.
“It’s not fair that [Foster] has taken this amount of criticism,” Diaz told The Ring. “At the end of the day, he doesn’t make the fights – he is only involved in the process of approving them. I’ll take full responsibility – I was the one who made the fight. I asked for [Adkins’] amateur experience. The only thing I saw is what everyone else saw; she’s 5-0 with five knockouts.”
Despite getting stiffened in just seven seconds, Adkins was able to leave the ring under her own power.