McCane dominates in opening bout of 2022 World Championships

Cleveland’s Morelle McCane put on a dominating performance over Leonie Mueller of Germany during the opening day of the 2022 Elite Women’s World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

McCane started the bout by taking four of the five judges’ cards, then proceeded to never take her foot off the gas in the final two rounds. The light middleweight gave her opponent a standing eight count in the second round after landing a strong overhand left to Mueller’s chin, resulting in two judges going 10-8 on the scorecards for that round.

McCane gave her second standing eight count of the bout during the third and final round, where the American proved to be too much for the German and taking the round easily with four judges scoring it 10-8.

“I am feeling great, I needed to shake the jitters out,” said McCane following her fight. “I felt good, and next fight is going to be even better.”

The American will have a few days rest before returning to the ring against Sema Caliskan of Turkey on Friday.

The second member of Team USA scheduled to take the day, Shera Mae Patricio (Waianae, Hawaii), was a walkover decision, leading to Stanimira Petrova of Bulgaria advancing to the next round.

Team USA will have no boxers take to the ring during tomorrow’s session. Naomi Graham (Fayetteville, N.C.) and Amelia Moore (Colorado Springs, Colo.) will make their tournament debuts on Wednesday against Ireland. Graham will face a familiar foe in Aoife O’Rourke, while Moore steps into the ring with Micaela Walsh.

This year’s World Championships brought over 300 boxers from 73 different countries boxing to be number one in the country, as well as earn up to $100,000 in prize money. Click here to follow all the action.

Day 1 Results

54 kg: Stanimira Petrova/BUL won by walkover over Shera Mae Patricio, Waianae, Hawaii/USA, WO

70 kg: Morelle McCane, Cleveland, Ohio/USA, dec. over Leonie Mueller/GER, 5-0