NEW YORK (March 1, 2011) – Female boxing star Maureen Shea of the Bronx, New York will host a landmark reality show in Mexico, with filming beginning later this month in Chiapas, Mexico. The show, entitled “Todas Contra Mexico”, will pit a team of female pro boxers from Mexico against an international team of female boxers.
The show will be produced by MapiTV, with Global Boxing Promotions and Pandora Promotions assisting in the promotion of the boxing events. The airing network will be announced shortly.
The reigning NABF featherweight titlist Shea, 30, is of Mexican and Irish descent and spent considerable time during her childhood living with family in Guadalajara, Mexico. Shea announced the show on ESPN Deportes this past Friday, where she was the in-studio guest on Viernes de Combates .
“This is a great opportunity to connect with the fans in Mexico,” said Shea, who holds a professional record of 15-2 (9 KO). “My Irish fans here in New York and New Jersey are very familiar with me, but it is really exciting to be able to speak in my first language (Spanish) on TV.
“This is a big moment for female boxing,” Shea continued. “For a long time, the public ignored female boxing but there has been a shift in recent years in the perception of the sport. Women in boxing are gaining more respect with the way they are being portrayed, and the sport is gaining in popularity among females due to the women’s empowerment movement.
“After this show, the world will have to take notice of female boxing.”
Shea is no stranger to reality shows, having starred in an episode of “MTV: Made” where she mentored a young ballerina with hopes of becoming a boxer. Shea also served as the chief sparring partner for actress Hillary Swank as Swank prepared for her Academy Award-winning role in the hit movie Million Dollar Baby.
Shea, under her own Pandora Promotions banner, promoted the first female boxing main event in New York City history when she pitted Alicia “Slick” Ashley against Crystal Hoy in January in Brooklyn. Shea is also the vice president of Global Boxing Promotions, and commentated a recent fight for FoxSports.
Additionally, Shea has been a spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and hosts an internet radio show entitled “Breathe Boxing”, alongside former lightweight champion Nate Campbell and Tim Kudgis, which airs live Thursdays at 7PM EST on www.atgradio.com .