Odelia Ben Ephraim to Face Teresa Makinen in 50-50 Fight

Odelia Ben Ephraim is scheduled to fight undefeated prospect Teresa Makinen at Pabellon Lara Gonzalez in Santa Pola, Valencia, Spain on September 27. This contest should be a high-speed battle involving ever-changing tactics.

Ben Ephraim, a 25 year old from Blagnac, France, has experienced a lot of changes since her last fight. She left her gym and signed with a new promoter. Her 5-4 record belies her tremendous ability. The former French featherweight champion throws constant combinations while picking her punches well.

Ben Ephraim's opponent is no pushover. Makinen is a 21 year old from Finland who is based in Spain. A decorated amateur, Makinen has started her pro career with three straight victories, including one over veteran Eva Cantos.

Makinen throws combinations as well. A supremely skilled boxer, she is great at getting her head off the line when she punches. She'll be very difficult to counter to the head. The Finnish fighter has yet to finish an opponent, but her power shouldn't be underestimated.

If Makinen thinks Ben Ephraim will come into this fight with a B-side mentality, she's dangerously mistaken. Ben Ephraim will want to pressure the younger prospect and work the body, a risky proposition, but the best way to wear down the elusive Makinen.

Though Makinen has the makings of a world class fighter, Ben Ephraim's toughest opponent on September 27 might be the judges. She has been unlucky in her four losses, and this fight will take place in Spain, where Makinen has had all three of her professional fights.

Ben Ephraim-Makinen is slated for eight two-minute rounds in the junior featherweight division.

André Zeitoun's New Book

André Zeitoun is out with an autobiography of his view from the corner. Zeitoun was a Muay Thai fighter and is a legendary coach in the sport. He has lots of ties to Jewish boxers including his father, who was an amateur boxer, Odelia Ben Ephraim, and Odelia's father David.

Zetoun's book Le Plus Bleu Coin du Monde, in French, can be purchased here

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Yan Zak to Face Stephen Nyamhanga

Yan Zak is scheduled to face Stephen Nyamhanga in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on September 13. Zak is an undefeated cruiserweight prospect.

Zak, a 25 year old, is coming off a six-round unanimous decision victory against veteran journeyman Victor Chvarkou in last month. The Israeli from Ashdod entered the fight with an injured hand and intended to go rounds against a defensive-minded foe. Nyamhanga poses an altogether different challenge.

A 26 year old from Mianzini, Tanzania, Nyamhanga is a free-swinger. BoxRec lists his record as 3-2-1, but his record is at least 4-3-1 with 4 KOs. He comes out of the corner firing. Nyamhanga has been rocked early in fights against Hassan Athuman and Mohamed Mtambo, but he came back to win both by KO. Against Athuman, Nyamhanga was wobbled  and hurt in the first before scoring a comeback KO in the second round. Nyamhanga didn't wait until the second round to recover against Mtambo and score a knockout.

Nyamhanga is lanky guy, coming up in weight. He carries power and throws punches from odd angles. He also doesn't let his opponent rest at any point during the three-minute rounds. But he is wild, and a superior technician like Zak should take advantage of Nyamhanga's openness, as long as his hurt hand has healed. Zak will need to watch out for those wild bombs, but if he does he very well may be able to stop the tough Tanzanian early. It will be exciting to find out.

Brooklyn Barwick Wins by Stoppage

Brooklyn "The Big Deal" Barwick defeated Sindy Berrio in Medellin, Colombia tonight. Barwick's aggression forced Berrio into an untenable spot.

The 25 year old Barwick came out of the corner as if her shoes were on fire. She raced after her 24 year old opponent, launching bombs. Barwick barely threw the jab, but when she did, it stopped Berrio in her tracks. At one point, the New Yorker illegally landed an overhand right on the break. Though against the rules, the punch showed Barwick's mean-streak in the ring. Brooklyn's best shots were to her taller foe's body.

Berrio winced when hit with a two-piece to her midsection. It was the beginning of the end, as she started looking for a way out of the bout. Shortly after the body assault, the fighters' heads clashed. Berrio raised her hands as if to call timeout and the referee complied, giving Berrio some time to recover. He then warned Barwick for butting, but it wasn't either fighter's fault. Berrio brought her head down, and Barwick came forward while throwing.

Shortly after the action resumed, the two fighters knocked heads again. This time, Berrio had been swinging her head wildly in an attempt to avoid Barwick's barrage of blows. The referee insisted Berrio fight. Instead, she took a knee and arose at the count of nine. After she got up, she indicated that she didn't want to continue, and the fight was waved off a minute and 40 seconds into the action. The left side of Barwick's head showed damage from the butts.

Barwick is now 3-0 with 3 KOs. If her head heals in time, she has a fight scheduled for September 13 in Medellin against Katherine Tineo (1-3). Berrio falls to 0-2.