MightyGloves.com

Freddie Roachs Filipina Phenom fights Saturday

posted by mightygloves.com on July 2, 2008, in Press Release

Photos by Chris McGee
July 5th at the Planet Hollywood arena in Las Vegas against arguably her toughest challenge yet, Freddie Roach's female fighting phenom Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton (pronounce Hoo-la-ton) will meet undefeated prospect Johana Mendez (3-0 1KO) in a four round Jr. Featherweight bout.

Mendez is a 2007 Silver Medalist and was ranked #2 in the nation in 2007. Both have undefeated records (Julaton 4-0 1KO), both have 1st round knockouts to their resume, both won the Silver medal in the US Championships last year and both finished thier amateur career ranked #2 in the country. It's surprising that these two would meet so early in their career. "We know she is a tough opponent and we've watched tape on her so, we have a game plan and I think Ana is going to surprise a lot of people in this fight" says Roach. "I'm really looking forward to this contest, it's fights l ike these that will continue to pu t interest in women's boxing...I heard she had close to 70 amateur bouts and I have close to 40 on my resume so I say why not do it. This is big for both of us to be able to perform in front of Bob Arum. I know Bob is counting on me to get the job done and I promise I will not dissapoint him." says Julaton. Ana's closest boxing advisor had this to say "Ana is on a mission, she told me she wants to be the 1st female fighter to ever be shown on HBO(with Showtime airing women's MMA why not). She keeps taking on these hard challenges like fighting 2 fights within ten days...Ana is in the most competitive division in the sport of women's boxing and I think once the networks really take a close look at Ana's potential to add to the sport she will make it to her goals."

In her last fight Julaton gave all her fans a treat in Central Valley CA. (video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJWhvrTIijs ) by putting on a "Tyson-esque" performance knocking out the opponent Mexican-American Salina Jordan in 37 seconds. The young protege of legendary trainer Freddie Roach has been refining "The Hurricane's" power at the Wild Card Gym for quite a few weeks, working on Pacquiao like foot speed and Tyson style weaves and combos. And his pupil didn't disappoint throwing a picture perfect weave left hook, right hand combination sending her opponent to the canvas. What set up the knockout was the very 1st punch landed, a power jab followed by a devastating overhand right that rocked her opponent in the first ten seconds. Ana's opponent did show heart by getting up on the count of eight, but it was a bad idea as "The Hurricane" finished her off landing three power left hooks to prompt the referee to stop the contes t. "I didn't thi nk the ref should've let the fight continue after the 1st knockdown, her eyes were glazed and the referee had to get in front of her to know where to walk to him...It surprised me when the opponent got up, Ana hit her with a beautiful shot!" says Freddie. Ana adds " I was just doing the combinations Coach has been asking for during practice. I felt it in my hands when I hit her, I knew it was a good punch...I guess it still surprises me how hard I really throw". Julaton's pro debut was against a bigger Rita Valentini who was ranked in the Top 15 and had 11 pro fights. Julaton knocked her down twice once in the 1st ten seconds of the bout with the right and then once again with a perfect left hook in the fourth. Ana then followed that match with a Top ten conteder in Carly Batey beating h er in a six round contest.

Julaton vs. Mendez will be a great warm up for fight fans as they await the Main Event Kendall Holt vs. Ricardo Torres.

Bio of Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton www.myspace.com/ajthehurricane

The feature on Latin Nation shows what Ana is about http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=8644293

She has been on T.V. with several Bay area media personalities (Gary Radnich, Vern Glenn, Dennis O'donnel, Raj Mathai, Joe Fonzi...) Including being honored by the SF Giants at AT&T Park in front of 36,000 fans. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4196448018132948402&hl=en

Ana has been on the Cover of Filipinas Magazine, front page of Asian Week, ANG newspapers, Manila Bulletin, Philippine News, Asian Journal and is without exagerration one of the most popular Filipina's in the World of female boxing. In her final year as an amateur (upon the request of her legendary coach Freddie Roach who also coaches Manny Pacquiao) she recieved the highest ranking a San Francisco born and bred female athlete has ever achieved in female amateur boxing by winning the Silver medal in the 2007 U.S. Championships and was ranked the #2 boxer in the nation.

Here is a footage of past media hype for her fights with 2007 Vern Glenn of KRON4 http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=8644253
and doing the same to 2006 Kim Coyle of CBS5 http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=4295615

Her name is Ana Julaton (pronounced Hoo-La-Ton) currently ranked #10 in the World Jr. Featherweight division (122lbs) by the W.B.C. (World Boxing Council) and she is best known to the Filipino people as the female "Manny Pacquiao". She has a big following within the Filipino Community. Currently the only undefeated Professional Fighter from S.F. here are some highlights of her Pro fights.

Most recent fight in Vegas during Pacquiao/Marquez week:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sBKp4ttLoY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWgGsQAJ6FE&feature=related

Pro Debut
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOhTbpjKJDk&feature=related

Best Damn Sports Show Fight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koh01y1HKO0&feature=related

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