Niagara Falls’ Mikiah Kreps set for Seneca Niagara Casino bout with Division I hooper

Niagara Falls’ Mikiah Kreps looks to keep her perfect record and charge toward a title fight in 2025 intact in the main Friday night at Seneca Niagara Casino, but will face a stiff challenge in doing so in Missouri’s Danielle Bennett.

It will be Kreps’ third consecutive fight inside the casino, and the last since her unanimous decision victory over Mayerlin Rivas in October.Bennett may be Kreps’ toughest challenge yet. She carries a 9-2 record into the fight with two knockouts. One of her victories was against former world champion Sue Metcalf.

Bennett grew up in a home where her single mother, who birthed her at 16, had drug problems. However, Bennett didn’t let that deter her, and had an impressive basketball career which culminated in a scholarship to Georgia. While there, the 5-foot-10 Bennett played all four years, averaging 4.1 points per contest. She also got a degree in human development. While carrying a full-time job working at a crisis line for mental health, she simply can’t boxing out of her blood.

“I’ve just always been a fighter,” she said. “I was always getting into fights at school, sticking up for the bully. I was a little girl that wanted to be a star.”

A win over Kreps would move her much closer to a starring role in boxing.Everything that she has, I want,” Bennett said. “She has all the accolades and sponsorships, and she’s earned every single one. But, I want that to be me.”

Kreps, who is now 9-0 with three KOs, is unfazed by Bennett’s wishes.

“I respect the fighter standing across from me no matter who it is,” she said. “I don’t pay too much mind to any of that. I have a job to do, and that’s to win. I embrace every single challenge and proving myself.”

Kreps was in Los Angeles, as per usual, for most of her training camp, and was working on two things — getting off to a quicker start, and dealing with Bennett’s seven-inch height advantage.I’m used to fighting girls taller than me,” the 5-3 Kreps said. But it’s something we are aware of going into this fight. I want to get into the ring and let my hands go more and throw more combinations.”

Kreps hopes this win parlays into a title shot.

“After we get through this fight, that’s the next fight I want to be in,” she said.

Also appearing on the card is 39-year old Michael Vega, also from Niagara Falls. Vega, with a 3-2 record, brought the crowd to its feet at the last fight at Seneca Niagara Casino with a one-punch knockout of Chris Ortiz. Vega looks to build on that against Shaquille Rushing, 0-2 on his career, from Lakeland, Fl.

“I’m excited to show everyone what I’ve been working on to improve, and let all go in there.” Vega said. “They’re going to see what our city is all about.”