Miyo Yoshida is ready to settle the score — and this time, it’s personal.
On Wednesday, the 36-year-old Yoshida will defend her IBF bantamweight world title in a rematch against Shurretta Metcalf at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, broadcast live on ProBox TV. It’s a fight that promises fireworks, with Yoshida looking to reclaim the upper hand after Metcalf’s unanimous decision victory at last year’s Heroes on the Hudson.
Yoshida, 17-4, has endured a bumpy road to her third world title reign in her second weight class. The New York-based Japanese fighter has gone 3-3 in her last six bouts, but that record hardly tells the full story. Last December, she stepped in at short notice to face Ebanie Bridges on the Regis Prograis-Devin Haney undercard in San Francisco. Originally set to face Avril Mathie, Bridges instead found herself facing a hungry Yoshida, who seized the opportunity and claimed a unanimous decision win—just weeks after losing to Metcalf.
For Yoshida, this fight is about more than defending her belt. “There’s definitely an element of revenge for me,” Yoshida told BoxingScene. “I’ll approach it much like the last one, but with more focus and determination. Winning this time will be an important step for my career.”
Metcalf, 13-4-1 (2 KOs), meanwhile, is unbeaten in her last four fights and signed with DiBella Entertainment after defeating Melissa Odessa Parker in July. The 39-year-old Metcalf from Dallas is coming back to the ring with one goal: to dethrone Yoshida again.
Yoshida has embraced a growth mindset heading into the rematch. “I treat every fight as a battle against myself,” Yoshida said. “I ask, how much can I surpass myself from the last time? Although I’m now a three-time world champion across two weight classes, I’m still looking to grow—not just as a fighter, but as a human being.”
This fight also carries weight beyond the individual. With talks of a tournament to crown an undisputed women’s bantamweight champion, this bout could be a stepping stone toward that larger goal—even if the tournament is still in limbo. For Yoshida, it’s about creating opportunities for the next generation of female fighters. “I want to create exciting fights and keep female boxers active,” Yoshida said. “I hope this sets a standard for other female divisions.”
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