Less than 24 hours after her deal with Most Valuable Promotions was announced, Cheyenne Hanson’s first world title opportunity has been announced.
The German contender will face WBO/WBA featherweight champion Amanda Serrano on May 30 as part of the card at the County Coliseum in El Paso, Texas, which is headlined by the WBA lightweight title rematch between Stephanie Han and Holly Holm. The show will air live on ESPN.
Serrano, 48-4-1 (31 KOs), of Carolina, Puerto Rico has held a version of the women’s featherweight title since 2019, and last fought in January, defeating the previously unbeaten Reina Tellez by unanimous decision in San Juan. “When MVP told me that Han and Holm were going to rematch in Stephanie’s home town of El Paso, I said I want to get on the card to support these two queens,” Serrano, 37, said in a press release.
“I respect every opponent who steps in the ring, and I know Hanson is coming to win and she has KO power. I’m also continuing to hunt the all-time knockout record, so that’s always on my mind, but everything starts with discipline, execution, and performing at the highest level on fight night.”
Hanson, 17-2 (13 KOs), of Augsburg, Germany has won nine straight over the past five years but is stepping way up in competition. She last fought a month ago, defeating Flor Rodriguez by sixth-round stoppage in Bosnia.
“It means a lot to be representing Germany on this stage. Training camp is going to be hard but I’m focused. I respect my opponent, but I’m coming to make a statement,” said Hanson in an interview.
MVP announced two other title fights for the main card. Desley Robinson, 11-3 (4 KOs), of Logan City, Australia will defend the IBF and WBO middleweight titles against former WBA junior middleweight champ Mary Spencer, 10-3 (6 KOs), of Montreal, while Lourdes Juarez, 39-4 (5 KOs), of Mexico City will defend her WBC junior flyweight title against Yokasta Valle, 34-3 (10 KOs), of Costa Rica.
“I need a big win on a big stage against a big opponent and that is what I’m going to do. I can’t wait to get back over to Texas again,” said Robinson, who last defended her belts in Texas, stopping Logan Holler in two rounds in October.
Spencer is fighting for the first time since losing her title in a unification bout with Mikaela Mayer in October.
“I didn’t come this far to admire champions. Respect, yes. Admire, no! I came to take everything they have,” said Spencer. “Belts don’t intimidate me. They motivate me. But on fight night, it’s not about rankings, records, or titles. It’s about who’s willing to go to a darker place. And I promise you… I live there.”
Juarez, the younger sister of former champion Mariana Juarez, is making the third defense of her title, having last fought in October, defeating Yesica Nery Plata by majority decision. Valle, the current WBC strawweight champion, has won titles in three divisions and is looking to add a fourth.
“I won’t give away my belt, no way. I’m preparing for the fight of my life. I won’t go down. I don’t believe in good luck. I will go out there blasting," said Juarez.
“I’ve always wanted the biggest challenges and to fight the best,” said Valle. “Moving up in weight to challenge a champion for her title is exactly the kind of opportunity that motivates me. This is a big challenge, just like every important fight I’ve had in my career, but I always prepare myself 200 percent to give everything I have in the ring.”
