Ana Julaton Vs. Lisa Brown On March 27 For WBA Title

Two-time world champion Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton has agreed to venture north of the border to meet four-time world champion Lisa “Bad News” Brown for the vacant WBA junior featherweight title.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Brown.

Canada’s Brown (16-4-3) has always wanted the WBA belt and so does Northern California’s Julaton (6-1-1). Both will meet on Saturday March 27 at Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada. It’s a home town fight for the Canadian.

“It’s definitely harder,” said Brown of fighting in front of hometown fans. “I like being the underdog with everybody cheering against me.”

That’s what Julaton can expect.

Brown has fought more than 150 rounds professionally including bouts against numerous world champions such as Melissa Hernandez, Alicia Ashley and Sharon Anyos. Plus, she’s traveled worldwide in pursuit of excellence in the ring with stops in Australia, Korea, and Bermuda.

The clever southpaw stylist believes that all of those rounds against top flight opponents will pay off when they meet.

“I definitely have the advantage with my experience. I’ve fought many of the best fighters,” said Brown who is originally from Trinidad and Tobago an island country in the Caribbean Sea.

Julaton confesses that fighting a left-handed fighter might prove a problem.

“I haven’t fought a southpaw yet. In amateurs I fought a couple of southpaws,” Julaton said. “Lisa Brown is an elite world champion.”

Nonito Donaire Sr. has prepared the brunette Filipina star for the expected transition. The veteran trainer who developed his two sons Nonito Donaire Jr. and Glenn Donaire is always incorporating new elements to Julaton’s weaponry.

“Judging from my overall experience its all about your environment,” said Julaton who lives in Daly City across the bay from San Francisco. “This is where I started. I’m lucky to have Donaire.”

Outside of the Philippines or Northern California, the elder Donaire may not have the vast press clippings of his contemporaries, but he does have the results.

Julaton beat Kelsey Jeffries for the IBA junior featherweight title, and then beat Donna Biggers for the vacant WBO junior featherweight title. She would also like to capture the WBA title, but more than that she wants to boost interest for female prizefighters.

“I don’t think I can do it by myself, but I’m just trying to do what I can. The more the other female fighters can promote themselves and be successful they’ll be able to cross over in America,” says Julaton. “It’s going to take a lot of stars. It’s like that in any sport. I’m sure it will have a high peak.”

Recently her team has been able to acquire Philippine television interest. Though Julaton could remain in the San Francisco Bay area where she would always be a main attraction and fill up arenas, she decided to create interest by meeting another world champion.

“It puts a lot more focus whenever I train. It’s definitely become a huge responsibility,” said the WBO and IBA titleholder. You see all these comments and praises and you don’t want to let people down. I feel blessed to even experience something like this.”

Brown knows exactly how Julaton will feel fighting in another country as thousands cheer against her.

“I like that feeling,” said Brown.