Mary_Casamassa_(5-0_1_KO)__vs.__Adriana_Dos_Santos_Araujo_(6-2_1_KO)
The surge of female boxing is once again igniting interest in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 15th.
Gionta Management will host professional boxing at the Local 449 Steamfitters Hall in Harmony, Pennsylvania (20 minutes north of Pittsburgh) featuring two ranked female boxers in the main event.
Headlining is Mary Casamassa (5-0, 1 KO) for the second time this year against Brazil’s Adriana Dos Santos Araujo (6-2, 1 KO) in an 8-round W.I.B.A. 160-lb title fight.
Following her victory over Olivia Gerula in March, Casamassa seized the W.I.B.A 168-lb belt with a 10-round unanimous decision.
Rated #4 by the IBF and Ring Magazine at 168, Casamassa will now campaign at 160 lbs, a more natural weight class.
Promoter Derek Gionta believes the move to middleweight is the right decision for Casamassa.
“Mary’s weight is closer to 160 lbs. This transition will be smooth for her,” stated Gionta.
“While we are open to fights at 168, this is the plan for now.”
In Pittsburgh’s first female title fight, Casamassa performed well against former world champion Gerula. It was a tough test and a significant step up in competition.
Araujo, ranked #5 by the IBF and #4 by Ring Magazine at 160 lbs, will make her U.S. debut, presenting another challenge for the local fighter.
Araujo recently lost narrowly to IBF #2 contender Watpool at 168 in Canada.
“This bout between two top 5 world-rated female boxers is significant,” Gionta remarked.
“Another historic night of boxing in Pittsburgh awaits.”
Pittsburgh featherweight Danny Bodish (1-0) aims to build on his debut victory in a four-rounder against Detroit’s Rafael Saenz (0-2).
Pittsburgh Junior middleweight Paul Palombo (7-0) will defend his undefeated record in a six-round match against Jacksonville’s Christopher Puryear (3-2). Palombo has been facing tougher competition since turning pro in September 2021.
Light heavyweight Leemont Johnson (6-2, 4 KOs) will take on Columbus’s Brian Holstein (13-10-2, 7 KOs) in a scheduled four-rounder.
Virginia’s Rigoberto Cepeda (0-2) will square off against Youngstown’s Julius Thomas (1-2) at 147 lbs in a four-round bout.
“After a successful show in March, we look forward to presenting a strong lineup of fights on November 15th,” said Gionta.
