Boxing has been upstaged by the hotter, younger sport known as mixed martial arts. But it's not down for the count yet.

Some savvy marketers have turned an upcoming L.A. bout between two chicks into a race war pitting a “Mexican beauty” against an “Asian queen” in a match being called “Fists of Hope.”

Who doesn't like a girl fight that sets civilizations against each other, especially when there are hot ladies involved?

Promoters are calling Mariana “La Barby” Juarez “the best boxer on the planet” who will defend her WBC flyweight title “with all her Latin blood.”

Her opponent, Japan's Shindo Go, is described as “the Asia and Pacific champion sensation” who is “determined not to return to Japan empty-handed.”

A statement from organizers says …

law logo2x b

… The Aztec fury of the Mexican queen will go with everything against the Asian queen …

Promoters are holding a noon press conference at the 501 N. Main St. downtown on Monday. It will feature both boxers.

The big bout happens July 14 at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario. Some of the proceeds, promoters say, will benefit the Mundo Maya Foundation and the Migrant Women's Gathering 2012. Info.

This is the biggest Latino-Asian battle since Pacquiao vs. Marquez, the debate over who invented spicy food, or the L.A. riots. (Too soon?)

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.