Make it seven in ’07. Kelsey
”
The Road Warrior
”
Jeffries outpointed Elizabeth
”
The Pearl
”
Villarreal in ten rounds Saturday, winning the Global Boxing
Union World Title through a 98-92 unanimous decision at Seven
Feathers Casino in Canyonville, Ore.
CANYONVILLE, ORE.
Make it seven in ’07.
Kelsey “The Road Warrior” Jeffries outpointed Elizabeth “The Pearl” Villarreal in ten rounds Saturday, winning the Global Boxing Union World Title through a 98-92 unanimous decision at Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville, Ore.
Facing a fighter that weighed four pounds heavier at Friday’s weigh-in, the 121-pound Gilroy native used her quickness and accuracy to keep Villarreal off-kilter and earn her seventh career title belt.
“I wanted seven in 2007,” Jeffries said. “I got six (titles) in 2006. So, I guess I’ll be shooting for eight in 2008.”
The bout improved Jeffries record to 39-9-1 (3 KOs), and sets the stage for a difficult Dec. 23 IFBA title defense against Jun Yun Jung in Eumsung, South Korea. Villarreal dropped to 4-5-2 with the defeat.
“I won the fight with my jab and that set up my right hand in the later rounds because she was looking for the jab,” Jeffries said. “It was a smart fight for me. My brain won the fight. She was so big and awkward so it was really hard for me to work inside.”
While she didn’t deliver a blow to put her opponent down for the count, Jeffries said it was one of the more fun fights she’s ever had.
“It’s probably one of the first fights I didn’t wake up the next day with a headache,” she said. “My body is always sore but no problem with my head … She was pretty banged up. I gave her a cut and a black eye. But she’s a good, tough fighter. I gave her a good fight.”
After the first three minutes though, Jeffries was still unsure of how to attack.
“The first round I was a little questionable,” Jeffries said. “She threw stuff that wasn’t solid. It seemed a little slow and (she) didn’t seem to pick her shots or throw with accuracy.”
Villarreal was using an aggressive approach in hopes of a knockout.
“It was by no means easy, it was a challenging fight,” Jeffries said. “I was able to be the smarter fighter and outbox her.”
Jeffries will now deal with a quick turnaround for her next bout. Traveling to South Korea will add a degree of difficulty, but it’s something The Road Warrior embraces.
“I know it’s gonna take a lot to win this fight,” she said. “Just look, when I go to foreign countries I don’t win.”
True enough, four of Jeffries’ nine defeats have come south of the border or overseas. Still, she has the confidence of someone who holds seven belts.
“I ain’t going there to lose,” Jeffries said. “I’m going to win.”
