Maricela Cornejo Wins the Boxing Illustrated Novice Middleweight Championship in Atlanta

Atlanta, GA, August 07, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Maricela Cornejo, the middleweight boxer / actress / model, scored a four round decision over Mia Henderson at the Cobb Center in Atlanta Georgia on August 4. It was the professional debut for the 25 year old, who had stunned the amateur world with successive first round TKOs.

The hard fought victory resulted in Cornejo winning the Boxing Illustrated Novice Middleweight Championship. The BI Novice Championships are for fighters with zero to five fights.

Two judges scored it 40-37 for Cornejo, while the third judge deemed it a draw.
The victory made Cornejo 1-0 while Mia Henderson, who fought an
excellent fight, dropped to 0-2.

Cornejo was in control for the entire fight bounccing and weaving with powerful hooks and a lethal overhand right. The slower, shorter Henderson nevertheless absorbed a lot of punishment and countered very effectively. Fans in Atlanta were solidly behind Henderson, but showed great respect for Cornejo as the fight progressed.

"I felt in control the whole time," explained Cornejo in the post fight press conference. "I can't tell you how much respect I have for Mia Henderson. She took my best shots and still managed to stay on her feet."

The Atlanta fans, plus a worldwide pay per view audience, were treated to
four rounds of non stop action, with plenty of punches thrown.

"Maricela had her first real test tonight and I was very pleased with her performance," said trainer Gil Martinez. "She has been busy building her new gym in Las Vegas, but that distraction didn't seem to hinder her efforts."

Maricela Cornejo is tentatively set to defend her middleweight title in September in Las Vegas. Details are expected to be announced shortly.