TORONTO — On Saturday night, Etobicoke’s Sara Haghighat-Joo became the fastest Canadian in history to win a World Title with her unanimous decision victory for the WBA Light Flyweight World Championship.

In just her fourth professional fight and promoted by United Boxing Promotions, Ontario’s premier boxing company, Haghighat-Joo defeated reigning WBA World Champion Lupita Bautista via unanimous decision (99-91, 98-92, 96-94) over 10 rounds at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto.

“It’s very cool to make some history, but I want to make another statement right away — I want those other three belts, I want to unify,” said a confident Haghighat-Joo following her WBA World Title victory. “I hope that my win shows those that look up to me that with persistence and consistent effort, you can get where you want to be.”

Haghighat-Joo dominated at range and enjoyed the better of most close exchanges throughout the night with Bautista (23-12-2, 6 KO), a now former three-time World Champion who certainly came to Canada with every intention of defending her title.

“At times, I got into wars with her and that was my ego,” admitted Haghighat-Joo, who cruised when on the outside with her jab established. “When I got back to the jab (and) used my angles, it worked — we knew she would come forward, so our plan was to take a half-step back, turn, and basically have a guaranteed land.”

Training out of Etobicoke’s West End Athletic Club, Haghighat-Joo was clear in her immediate goals now that she has reached the summit of world boxing.

“Unification, that’s it, let’s go,” she said following her WBA championship win. “I like to go for it, (and) I can box but I love to fight — I want to constantly make statements, so there is more to come!”

FIGHT NOTES

Haghighat-Joo became the fastest Canadian to ever win a World Title, in just her fourth professional fight…It was a successful evening for trainer Stevie Bailey and the West End Athletic Club, as Josh ‘The Boss’ Wagner also dominated Geronimo Vazquez in the Co-Feature to win the IBF International Welterweight belt…The contest was referee Mark Simmons’s first World Title assignment, and he was kept busy throughout the 10 rounds…Bautista previously held a record of 4-1 in World Title fights, the only defeat a split decision to Evelin Bermudez in Argentina.

TORONTO — United Boxing Promotions is bringing a major world championship fight to Toronto on April 27th.

Ontario’s premier boxing company presents Canadian Sara Haghighat-Joo (3-0, WBA #8, IBF #8) against reigning WBA World Champion Maria Guadalupe Bautista (23-11-2, 6 KO) for the WBA Light Flyweight World Championship at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto.

“We’re incredibly proud to be bringing a WBA World Championship to Toronto,” said United Promotions president Tyler Buxton. “It has been a goal of ours to bring world championship fights to Toronto, and this is the first of many to come.

“Sara is a talent unlike any other, which is why she’s fighting for a world title this early in her career — this opportunity is a testament to her hard work, talent and amateur pedigree.”

Haghighat-Joo will be chasing history, seeking to become the fastest Canadian woman to ever win a major World Championship in just her fourth professional fight.

“This is the best scenario possible for me, fighting on home turf,” said Haghighat-Joo, who fights out of Etobicoke’s West End Athletic Club. “I am so thankful United was able to make this happen, this is the beginning of an incredible 12- to 18-month period for my career and I know my fans are ready for this big night!”

Haghighat-Joo made her professional debut in eye-catching eight round fashion in 2022, and has already defeated a former World Title Challenger early in her career.

“Some people might think it’s too soon or too early in my career, but we have been moving aggressively thus far and it truly could not be better timing,” said Haghighat-Joo, a former Canadian and Irish national amateur champion who won all 18 rounds across every scorecard in 2023. “I could not have signed with a better promoter in Canada, and I’m excited with where this journey is going to go, beginning April 27^th at Casino Resort Toronto.”

The chief support will feature reigning IBO Americas Welterweight Champion Josh ‘The Boss’ Wagner (17-0, 9 KO) locking horns with rising Argentine star Geronimo ‘El Caballero’ Vazquez (17-1, 5 KO).

April 27^th will feature a star-studded undercard, including the likes of powerful Jamaican middleweight Kemahl ‘The Hitman’ Russell (16-1, 14 KO), budding Korean star Gisu ‘Terminator’ Lee (10-4, 3 KO), undefeated Hamilton product Bradley ‘The Truth’ Wilcox (11-0, 6 KO) and 6-foot-3 southpaw Joshua ‘HellRazor’ Frazer (9-0, 6 KO).

Tickets are available now; VIP floor seats are available now via sales@unitedpromotions.ca, individual tickets will be on sale Friday, February 16^th at 12:00 p.m.