1976: Women Fighters Stealing Colbert’s Thunder Again – Bermudez vs. Arvizu

Documentation of the fight: Bermudez vs. Arvizu  Nevada State Journal, June 9, 1976, Page 11

On June 9 1976, there was an article talking about a female bout for the same day,  at the Hyatt Tahoe, Incline Village, Nevada, in a female bout, Marion Bermudez vs.  Ersi Arvizu.   In the Nevada State Journal, dated June 9, 1976, page 11, they reported the following.

WBAN’s Media Library Collection/Original on File – donated to WBAN by the late Bill Dickson/Promoter
Copyrighted by WBAN.  All Rights Reserved. Not for publication on other websites, or other publications.

“Mike Colbert was almost overshadowed by two women pro boxers the last time he fought at the Hyatt Lake Tahoe Hotel, and this time his luck might not be much better.  Marion Bermudez of Scottsdale, Arizon, will meet Ersi Arvizu of Los Angeles.   Miss Arvizu grabbed some of Colbert’s headlines in May when she made her pro debut by stopping highly-regarded Carolina Svendsen of Virginia City in the second round.

WBAN’s Media Library Collection/Original on File – donated to WBAN by the late Bill Dickson/Promoter
(Page one of two only) Copyrighted by WBAN.  All Rights Reserved. Not for publication on other websites, or other publications.

Colbert was an impressive 10-round decision winner over Rudy Cruz in May, but most of the patrons raved about Miss Arvizu, a professional singer.  But Miss Arvizu, a lightweight, faces a major challenge in the 25-year old Miss Bermudez, a national karate champion and veteran of boxing.”

She’s had four fights, including two amateur bouts with men in the Phoenix Golden Gloves a year ago.  She defeaeted one of the men.  She has a 2-0 record against women since becoming a professional boxer.

The 5’7″ New York native has fought in karate for much as $2,000 and has appeared on ABC’s Wide World of Sports.

Bermundez said, “I got into boxing because my karate coach wanted me to learn to take a punch.  I’ve been hit as hard as I’ve been hit in boxing,” she explained.

RESULTS OF THE BOUT:

On June 9, 1976, Marion Bermudez, 128.5,  stopped Ersi Arvizu, 132,  in the third round by TKO, in a scheduled four-round bout.  In the second round, Arvizu threw a couple of two good lefts to Bermudez head, but in the third round and stunned Arvizu with two good right crosses which ended the fight 1:55 seconds of the third.