Alicia Napoleon set for first title defense, August 4th on TV
Photo: Alicia Napoleon Instagram
WBA Women’s Super Middleweight World Champion Alicia “The Empress” Napoleon, (9-1, 5 KO’s), of Lindenhurst, NY will make her first defense against WBC Silver Middleweight titlist Hannah Rankin, (5-1, 1 KO) of Glasgow, Scotland on Saturday, August 4 at NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The bout a scheduled ten rounder will pit Napoleon against a game veteran will find its ways onto the airwaves as a special attraction undercard bout on the stacked Premier Boxing Champions card headlined by the welterweight showdown between former world champions Andre Berto and Devon Alexander on FOX and FOX Deportes (7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT).
“I’m thrilled for this opportunity to be able to defend my world title for the first time on Long Island at NYCB LIVE,” said Napoleon. “It’s a special moment in my career and truly an honor to be part of the first women’s bout ever in this iconic venue.
The popular Napoleon, who is the owner of both Overthrow Gyms in Manhattan and Brooklyn, won her world title on March 3 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn with a dominant ten-round decision over previously undefeated Femke Hermans in front of a huge contingent of supporters from both Long Island and New York City. Napoleon has consistently had bad luck with opponents as multiple times she has weighed in, but her opponent has failed to hit the scale or show up fight night.
The other “X-factor” for Napoleon is her beauty which beyond being amazing to look at, she also embodies the new area of women’s empowerment in fitness such as women being comfortable having muscle on their frame like CrossFit athletes. Napoleon is a relatable figure in the boxing world, who is enjoyable to listen to in a soundbite and if given the right shot, could be a star.
Napoleon, who is fighting for equitable wages in the paid ranks as a chance at being showcased on a major television platform is one of the biggest opportunities yet for a female boxer in recent memory outside of Cecilia Braekhus fighting on HBO.
“I know how good Hannah Rankin is. She just won the WBC Silver Middleweight Title and she’s taller than me with a longer reach, plus she just finished training with Cecilia Braekhus.
Napoleon’s opponent, a professional musician outside of the ring, the 27-year-old Rankin plays the bassoon and has traveled the world in recent years playing with numerous orchestras while also training and furthering her career in the squared circle.
If Napoleon can fair well, fights with Claressa Shields, Raquel Miller and even Maricela Cornejo all exist for her.
Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions and DiBella Entertainment, are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visitingwww.ticketmaster.com, www.nycblive.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the Ticketmaster Box Office at NYCB LIVE. Group discounts are available by calling 516-231-4848.
