Ava "The Lady of Boxing" Knight

Sports have become the savior of countries including the United States. We back our teams, and follow them to victory or sulk with them in loss.  Boxing is one of the sports where we follow our favorites around the world, or keep them in our Country so we can enjoy the entertainment of watching our own boxers fight on our home soil, but boxing has changed. Fighters come to the United States to fight for their titles, and U.S. champions rarely leave home to fight. As a woman, this all means something different. Other Countries love their women fighters. They back them, support them, and do whatever they can to help them win. The United States barely knows us, barely support us, and rarely get to see us fight.  I’m here to write about my experiences outside the ropes. The way a foreign champion is treated in the world of boxing and the hardship that comes with talent and a belt.

Mexico City, home of some of the greatest boxers today and is the farthest place away for me to call home, but with the circumstances, I have been there for fights more than any other place.  Inside the ropes, I am a fighter, a champion and a beast, but outside the ropes, I am a target and a pawn to mistreatment and unfairness of my opponent’s and their country.

I have been dubbed “the destroyer of Mexicans”  and not by any reason of my own.  Going into a country where they value their boxing, it puts a target on my team and I. It brings disrespect to their country and the people don’t like it. I have always been nicknamed “The Lady of Boxing” and I hold that name with pride but they have ignored my wishes which have resulted in crowds spitting on us, booing us and throwing beer at us during fights.  I am one the biggest targets in Mexico inside the ring and out. People want to say things to me outside the ring to hurt me, and down me while others involved want to put me in situations that make me uncomfortable and take my eyes of the prize of winning.

Training in Mexico has been a hot and cold situation. There are some who know how hard it is to come to a country and fight their people. They understand we are fighting more than my opponent, but their whole country. There were some people who know my opponent and wanted to do anything they could to help them while they stayed in the shadows.  We trained the few days we had before the fight with many interruptions. We even saw sketchy things in the background, and when the man who was supposed to be making sure everything was ok with me, put me in the same gym as my opponent with her friends and supporters.  Not everyone in the U.S. gets great treatment but I understand that 3X World Champions of the WBC and IBF do.

The interviews are another way to make sure people keep a target on my back. With some reporters going out of their way to make up their own words that come out of my mouth, and others who interpret me wrong, I have no way of keeping my right attitude about things. People in charge tell me what to say during interviews and conferences to make what they have tried to create a bigger conflict then before. They make me sound arrogant, and big headed, when the people who really know me know that I could care less about the talking and more about the fighting. I speak with my gloves and not with words because I know at the end of the day I am going to do my best to win and what happens in the ring is what really matters. I rarely find time to disrespect anyone, because I know we are all out to do the same thing, make a name for ourselves and win.

Before the fight, we may have thought our world was crumbling down. Things were going wrong, everything wasn’t adding up, things said where being ignored, and rules were just words on a paper.  We found many violations being ignored and as a fighter, I was just worrying about the fight. My Team tried their best to get things to be done right, but without enforcement,  and our "language barrier" we were in a bind. We saw our supporters change their plans, attitude and ideas. Our own people who were supposed to be behind us switch sides, like they knew something we didn’t. Unfair playing field was at play and I wasn’t ready for that.

The fight is the fight, I will never complain about my performance because I know I cannot change what happened, but I will take a stand for my future. I cannot take the win away from my opponent and I’m not going to whine about the fight itself. However I will say I did not feel like a loser that night, but I knew that being in the hometown of the opponent, just winning rounds would never be enough.

US champions should be valued, all Champions. The few American women that are champions have done so on foreign soil, and might I add, that isn’t an easy thing to do. We need support and we need our country to love us and stand by us like they have the men. No one knows why we don’t fight locally, and it is sad to see us go overseas and deal with situations like this. We women don’t get options and that is what separates us from the men. Having no options is what had me fighting a world champion at 5 fights, and what has led me to one tough career. One thing I can say is that since the UFC brought a woman in to their program, it has never been better. I believe boxing can be the same. When the first network, the first big promoter, and supporters bring in that one woman that is marketable and talented, the game will be forever changed. 

Photo by Pepe Rodriguez

Walking through the crowd with three belts, the WBC Diamond,WBC Silver World, and the IBF World, a crowd of people swarm to take pictures. Interview after interview of those people who follow boxing, who ask about the future of boxing, future fights and United States coverage. Everyone in boxing was around, including some of the best boxers, some of the best coaches, some of the best announcers, and some of the best prospects.

I have established so much in the world of boxing. I am a three time defending champion who goes to other countries and wins. A champion who is humble and has no problem being placed with everyone in the crowd.  So what is wrong with this picture?? The only people who knew my name and who I was were the people who have done some kind of research on women’s boxing.

I had no pull, I had no influence, and I had no type of status among all the people in this historic event of Mayweather VS Alvarez. I was a woman. I was small, petite and dainty and with that most people didn’t even believe that I was a boxer. As my fiancé and I walked around trying to show people female boxers still exist by showing videos and photos, we started to create buzz around us. People were asking questions and taking pictures with this nameless champion they have never seen because of the situation promoters and television has put us in, in the United States. Now there was a former woman fighter there that got attention that I can account for, and much of that attention may not have been from her boxing, but with the current situation,current women champions were not getting credit and acknowledgement.

I am not speaking with envy, regret, hate or ill intent. I want the United States to know this free and equal country stops with boxing. As many of us women fighters can agree with me, many just go on to say that it is the way it is. Sometimes I find myself saying it too, but I have decided to not give up. Being around this historic even of boxing in Las Vegas, around so many other champions and boxing heads, it is time for a woman to step up and say we belong amongst all the rest. I stayed around, and I was trying to make a point. I made the point so clear at one point, we got escorted out because we were making too big of a crowd around us.  I was glad people got to see a real woman champion, but it should be on the regular when there are big events like this.  Women fighters need to be recognized for their work they put into the sport and the big question is when will be recognized as legit fighters?

I am writing about this to show others what it is like to be a successful women in boxing, because success to a women no longer means the same as success as a man. Women can never dream of making millions, we can’t even dream of being the main event of a huge show like this, but that is where we shouldn’t stop settling for less. It should be fare. We should be televised, we should be acknowledged, and we should be treated with respect. I believe this is the first time I’ve been to a big card to make some noise, but it will definitely not be the last.

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Woman’s boxing has had its ups and downs, and names fly in and out of the news, but only a select few have been able to stay in the tabloids for their accomplishments. I would like to shed a light on a few women that have not had a lot of spotlight that I feel are some of the greatest role models and pioneers of boxing during the decade. The women whom have become great champions, and who are great examples for the rest of us to look up to who are trying to reach the same goal. The women that I have caught my eye as a fellow boxer, and the ones I admire because of their skill. These women are paving the road for the future to walk upon a smooth path. The struggles they face today have fueled them to become who they are and to fight as hard as they do.

Layla McCarter was born on April 19, 1979 in Alameda, California. Layla began martial arts training at age eight. In 1995 she began kickboxing and boxing at different clubs, but ending up at the Spokane Boxing Club. On September 23, 1998, she had her first fight in Worley, Idaho. Even though after her pro debut she suffered some losses, she still came out to win her first World Title her 16th fight against Tracy Bird. She continued to fight tough opponents and currently has held four world titles (IFBA, GBU, WIBF, WBA) throughout her career, and currently holding the GBU and WBA Llightweight World Titles. If you watch her fight, you would realize she is great and holds a lot of skill. She is a smart boxer, who likes to come forward and can fight well in both the inside and out. She has a very calm demeanor but with an aggressive style, and looks very comfortable in the ring. She is a great champion and has fought great fighters and is someone that keeps you focused on the screen because she is that good.

Belinda "Brown Sugar" Laracuente was born on January 29 1979 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In 1989 she moved to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. At age 12 she was motivated to try the sport herself by hanging around the Mayaguez gym where her brother trained and became two of the best amateur boxers in Puerto Rico. She moved from Puerto Rico to Miami, Florida, in May 1998 with just one goal ... a world title belt. Belinda is a stylish fighter, who has a nice slick style, and great counter punches built to her skills and a solid ring record with 57 fights. She has held the WIBF and GBU in the past in her career. She may not have the perfect record, fighting tough opponents early on, but her style and boxing skills make her a great champion and a great fighter to watch.

Melissa “Huracan” Hernandez from Puerto Rico, by way of the Bronx, NY and Miami, Florida was born on February 4 1980. She took up boxing to lose weight but by the age of 23, she decided to step it up and fight in the Golden Gloves. Melissa is a great slick boxer, training with Belinda during her early years of boxing, they have a similar style. She is very exciting to watch. She is slick, has great counter punching and knows when to turn it up in a fight. In her career she has held three titles (WIBA, GBU, WBC) and currently hold the WBC Featherweight title.

I decided to pick fighters that went through the stages of Women’s boxing within the past two decades. All three fighters have had the opportunity to be staged on television, but have seen the decline of women’s boxing demand through the last few years. All these fighters have seen the likes of one another in the ring, against and sometimes on the same side. I am fortunate to say there are so many more champions, but with one article, I could only write so much. I look up these three ladies and have found out what they are about. They are all great fighters and I would tip my hat to them anytime to show my respect. Fighters who all have thrown down in the ring, no matter what the cost and conditions, and have set the scale for skill and performance, CHAMPIONS…

By: Ava Knight

Women’s Boxing has come a long way, from fighting for passbooks, to fighting for respect, money, and recognition. Respect has been a long time need from fans, matchmakers, promoters. We have been fighting many other opponents other than the ones across the ring for decades. Recently I have seen a new obstacle we must fight for equality, and it is within our own selves. Many of today’s and yesterday’s fighters are not promoting nor helping each other out and giving each other their due respect. Who is to blame? The media, influential managers, the brutal sport, the lack of respect, or their arrogant selves?

Nell Saunders and Rose Harland supposedly fought for a silver butter dish in 1876 at Hills Theater in NYC. This was considered the first woman’s match in the United States. Years following in 1954, Barbara Buttrick was the first female to be broadcasted on national television. After an ongoing lawsuit in the state of New York in 1976, three high-profile women boxers, Cathy “Cat” Davis, Jackie Tonawanda, and Marian “Lady Tyger” Trimiar became some of the few first women to receive their boxing licenses. Boxer Pat Pineda is the first woman to be licensed in California in 1978.

Have times really changed? We are seeing a relapse of what seems to be professional women fighting for justice and respect. In 1987, former World Women’s Lightweight Marian “Lady Tyger” Trimiar staged a well-publicized month long hunger strike for the rights of women’s boxing and to advocate better money and conditions for professional female boxers. Will it take another strike and picket for women to get the respect they deserve today?

Muhammad Ali’s Daughter, Laila “She-Bee Sthinin” Ali, made her pro-debut in New York. The news coverage leading up to this bout, and the media attention since she has gotten into the sport has surpassed any of the coverage of any one boxer on the scene in the past, and in the present. The highest paid professional female boxer in the Unites States was Laila Ali. With such a great woman who has had so much impact and influence in the sport, she comes across the rest of us professional fighters with words that disappointed us. In an article pot Olympic Games, she came to say the following in an article with Joe Jenkins in the The New York Daily News, “I never encourage people to go on and box professionally because it’s a shady business.” This felt like a slap in the face to the current professional woman boxers trying to make a name for themselves. Although, she did follow her quote with a positive note for amateurs, “I’d like to see the amateur programs be strengthened not so that girls can necessarily go pro but so that girls can get a scholarship to college and go on do something great.” With a sport that paved her way to stardom and celebrity status, boxing isn’t doing something great in her eyes.

With this said, we have another huge Icon in amateur boxing right now who isn’t giving professional boxers a great reputation either. Marlen Esparza, 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist has accomplished a lot in her career, making history as well. She became one of three women to be the first women to ever compete in the Olympic Games and the first to medal. She has set new statures receiving huge sponsors and endorsements, something female professional boxers haven’t had the chance to achieve recently. It was disappointing again to hear another woman, gaining so much from the sport, bash the professional women athletes again. In a recent tweet seen by thousands of viewers, Marlen responds to a question that asked her about turning pro and if she had a favorite female professional with this, “I don’t really plan on going pro n right now I don’t hv one haven’t seen a pro girl tht I can respect yet.” She followed her comment with an explanation of her trying to justify what she had said, and apologized for her quote a few days later, but what she wrote cannot be taken back.

Current WBO Bantamweight and IFBA Super Bantamweight Champion, Kaliesha West had this to say, “I am very unsettled by her justifying her "comment" rather than accepting the fact that her choice of words were "poor" and a simply, not only to me, but ALL of women's boxing would have worked. This is a real let down to our boxing community (primarily in USA). The facts are, we fight two fights; in the ring, and out the ring! We are truly against all odds: sexism, stereotype, gender, and critics. We can’t afford to have negative comments like this to be said. She IS the face of women's boxing right now, and I am ashamed to have such a representative of my sport. I can promise all female athletes I will fight for equal rights, and equal opportunities.”

Women's boxing is on an uphill road, it may be bumpy but we strive to become the best, especially, with the talent in this new era. It is amazing how far woman boxers have come and continue to reach new accomplishments. It is time for us to stand together. The women of the sport with the most power and influence need to understand that what they say, because of who they are, can affect women’s boxing and its future. We all need to stand in solidarity and fight for the bigger picture, amateur and pro. If we don’t stand for something, we will fall for anything. We have a bigger fight, not with each other, but with the powers that be.

I'm proud to be a part of this movement, along with my fellow professional female athletes. We are ready for every challenge and every odd against us. We will fight with every ounce of heart and passion for the sport and train twice as hard to show the world what we are made of. We are the proud voice of Woman Boxing, and we will not be ignored.

About the Author, Ava Knight: 3X IBF Flyweight Champion, and WBC Diamond Champion. 10(5)-1-3 Number 1ranked fighter in the Flyweight division. Advocate for woman’s boxing.

https://twitter.com/Ava_Knight" target="_blank"> Twitter @Ava_Knight

www.facebook.com/officialavaknight

About our Commenter, Kaliesha West. 3X WBO Bantamweight Champion, IFBA Super Bantamweight Champion. 16(4)-1-3. Advocate for woman’s boxing.

Twitter @Kwildwildwest

www.facebook.com/officialkalieshawest

Resources:

http://www.ehow.com/info_8647585_salary-average-boxer.html

http://www.womenboxing.com/historic.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/retired-boxing-great-laila-ali-daughter-muhammad-ali-shows-heart-champion-finishing-aquaphor-new-york-city-triathlon-article-1.1110252#ixzz2Fel3mm3z

http://www.twitter.com/Marlen112Boxing

I have recently become aware of a local family with a two year old boy who has been diagnosed with Stage Four Neuroblastoma.  This is a very serious, aggressive type of cancer and his chances of survival are currently at only about 20%.  The family, who also has two other children, is incurring tremendous medical bills and myself and the local City Relay for Life are trying to raise some funds to help them.

I AM AUCTIONING OFF THE TRUNKS FROM MY LAST FIGHT, the biggest fight of my career against Mariana Juarez, giving me the Flyweight Crown along with an autographed photo. All the moneys that are payed will go straight to the family. You can send your bid to Avaknight15@yahoo.com. This will be a silent auction closing on December 5th

**** PLEASE HELP THIS YOUNG BOY****

I will have a separate donation fill on my website if you would like to donate funds.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS

http://www.officialavaknight.com/apps/donations/

After knocking out Arely Mucino, new IBF champ Ava Knight will defend her belt for the first time against number one contender Hongfah Tor Buamas on March 31 in Los Cabos, Mex.

The fight will be promoted by Hector Garcia Boxing and take place on the undercard of WBC junior bantamweight champion Ana Maria Torres' bout against Mary Ortega.

While Knight (7-1-3, 4 KOs), from Chico, Calif., earned her belt with a vicious Knockout of the Year candidate against Arely Mucino in Mexico last October, Tor Buamas (15-4, 2 KOs) will be fighting for the first time as a pro outside her native Thailand.

"Even though she has a good record, it doesn't really look like the girls she's fought are too experienced," said Knight. "Either way, I'll be thinking about this fight the same way I do as a challenger, as if I'm going to take the title. I'm going to work hard, train hard, and be ready for her because she is the number one contendor and she is a champion."

Knight, currently No. 9 in the CSNBayArea.com Northern California pound-for-pound media poll, has begun camp in the high-altitude environment of Colorado Springs with trainer Ben Bautista.

"We're going down to Mexico to knock her out," the San Francisco-based Bautista said.

Boxing correspondent Ryan Maquiñana is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine's Ratings Advisory Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his blog at norcalboxing.net, or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.

Through out the years my main goals in boxing have been to win a world title. I had two unsucessful bouts until October of 2011. 2012 is a new year and new goals are on the horizon.

For one, I'd like to unify the flywieght titles and bring them all to a deserving champion. The fact that there are champions fighting pro-debuters, boxers with losing records, and girls that just look like they haven't been a ring much is a sad look for females. The women who should have the titles should be fighting worthy opponents and I won't stand for anything less. I want to bring all the major titles home to the United States with pride and Knock Outs.

My second goal of the year is to fight at Madison Square Garden. It is a place where everyone entertains when they have made it big time. The fact that many big fights have been moving away from that mark of history opens my eyes. All the big fighters from the past made it when they stepped in the Garden, and hopefully, I will be able to do the same.

On my long ten hour drive to Las Vegas, I had time to think of what to expect with the ladies on the card fighting for victory. I came up with every outcome of what was going to happen, which some I was right and others I was way off. Some things go to show that with boxing, nothing is certain.  Any fighter or style can come out in a fight that can change how the opponent looks or fights.

One thing I can say is that the women on the card where very entertaining and make the men's bouts look bad. Most of them where a bore, and the one knock out was a great one, but before that, I wasn't impressed with the match up. So hats off to us women, entertaining the crowd and showing that we can bring fans into the excitement of our fights.

The first exciting fight I watched was Tatina Anderson versus Victoria Cisneros. The first round I had Victoria winning by a close round because she stayed busy but it all seemed to part of Tatina's plan to walk her down and close her out with her power. The second round they started to exchange and brought some power to the game but Tatina was coming out cleaner with her punches in the exchange and it was obvious she had more power. Coming into the third round, they exchanged flurries of punches but Tatina hurt Cisneros and went after her and ended with a TKO in that round. She showed that she was the stronger girl and she took what was hers that night, the win. It was also exciting to sit behind her family. They were yelling and screaming with joy making the show all together more fun. A future champion in the making with a strong supportfull family behind her.

Stacey "Stay-Lo" Reile lost her IBF Super Bantamweight title to Dahiana Santana in a hard fought 10 round fight. This fight may have been the most exciting of the night. Dihiana came into that fight and was determaned to take that tite. Through out the rounds Dihiana lost her pop, but with her determination she pulled out and kept the fight high pace and action packed. Stacey seemed as if she couldn't set her combinations up and do what she wanted to do, mostly hitting off Dihiana's gloves. They both traded good punches but Dahiana was more accurate and in Stacey's face to prove to the crowd whe was going to be the champion. I thought the fight was great, a little lack in technicality but all in all, a great fight.

The last female fight and the main event was Ada Velez versus Melinda Cooper. With Melinda losing the first fight they recently had, she had something to prove to everyone that night, but she could not pull the trigger to get off like she wanted. Ada was in her face and shot her straight left hand like a shotgun in Melinda's face followed by a right hook. A simple combination that worked all night for her.  Ada stayed in Melindas face, moving around, slipping and countering and coming out of exchanges with the better punches. Both ladies put on a great show, but at 41 years of age, Ada showed that she still has it and retained her championship belt. She is just as good as any young figher and Sunday night she proved her age meant nothing.

I was so happy to go to the fights and meet the great fighters and hang out with them. Two great fighters that I look up to, Mellisa Hernandez and Layla McCarter for being to great warriors in the sport. I got to meet Sergio Martinez, who I think is one of the best pound for pound. I would like to thank Team West for accomidationg me and helping us get around in Las Vegas. Two fighters that bring a war, and are best of friends.

Thank you all for reading my blog. Leave a comment

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After the trials and tribulations that go hand-in-hand when embarking on a female boxing career, newly crowned champion 23-year-old Ava “Lady of Boxing” Knight (7-1-3 4KOs) has hurdled the obstacles and reached the pinnacle of the sport by scooping up former champion Arely “Amatralladora” Mucino’s (14-1-1, 8KOs) IBF Flyweight strap in scintillating fashion via 2nd round KO in Colima, Mexico nearly two weeks ago.

This was the Chico, Californian’s second world title bid — coming up short against Ana Maria Torres in 2009 for the WBC Super Flyweight belt — and the “Lady of Boxing” crossed the border into Mexico prepared for a short night of fist-a-cuffs.

“The first round was just a feel out round for me. I just wanted to see where she [Mucino] was at and what she wanted to do as far as her look. In the second round I saw that she didn’t want to get in and exchange with me, so I started bringing it to her and once I caught her she went down but they called it a slip. Once she got back up and we were told to fight I came in with a combination and knocked her out.”

Knight, a 112 pound champion, has fought as high as bantamweight, 118, and low as junior flyweight, 108. Often bouncing around the division’s because as a woman gladiator on the rise that’s just what you have to do if you want to ply your trade on a regular basis.

“112 pounds is actually a natural weight for me. I walk around at 114 so it’s not hard at all, she [Mucino] actually came in heavier than me that day. I feel strong and the speed is about the same as well as feeling lighter on my feet. I saw after I hit her with the jab she didn’t really want to come in so I knew she felt it.”

In 2009 when Knight traveled to Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico to unsuccessfully challenge for Ana Maria Torres’ super flyweight title in a spirited effort, Ava was less than impressed by the way she was treated by those hosting the event in the boxing rich country. There were failures by the organizers to notify Team Knight on issues of importance and the “Lady of Boxing” felt she was disrespected and placed under bad conditions.

“Mexico went a lot better, a better experience and better people. It was just a good situation and we got treated a lot nicer this time. There was a little bit of a language barrier but everybody tried their best for us to be comfortable and they did everything they could to make sure things went smoothly.”

In a recent piece by Ryan Maquinana of BoxingScene — “Ava Knight on Her Shock KO of Arely Mucino, IBF Title Win” — he points out that Knight is now among an elite list of NorCal world champions. Stars like WBC/WBO Bantamweight boss Nonito Donaire, WBA Super Middleweight champ Andre Ward, WBA/WBO Interim Lightweight titlist Robert Guerrero and WBO Female Jr. Featherweight kingpin Ana Julaton. Upon query about what it feels like to be part of that group of stars, Knight was less than shy about where she feels she stands.

“It feels good, I think I should have been in that group a long time ago because I’ve been here. I’ve been in Northern California doing my thing, doing my best and doing what I do without any help [promotional] but now with the championship belt it gives me more recognition.”

Ava has had an uphill battle trying to entice top fighters into the ring opposite her and I asked if she thought her new trinket would change that struggle.

“I really hope so and I think it opens doors for other fighters to maybe call me out. I want to fight the best, I do not want to go backwards. I don’t want to fight girls with losing records unless they have something to offer or prove. I don’t have any business being in there with lesser opponents, I want to be in there with champions and see what I can do with this flyweight title and with the other girls ahead of me in the rankings, you know, see where we stand.”

Imploring on whether she had a hit list, this is what the IBF Flyweight queen had to say.

“Anyone ahead or above me is on the list. I want to fight women as good as me or ranked better because that’s what I want to prove; whose the best?”

When I touched on whether Knight wanted to unify against the other two champions in her division — Mariana Juarez (WBC) and Susi Kentikian (WBA/WBO) — her answer spoke volumes as to who she is as a fighter.

“I would love to, I’ll even go to their towns.”

Ava Knight is still seeking a promotional company to call her home and with her impressive victory on the 29th to capture the world title, these outfits ought to take notice and discontinue missing out on this diamond in the rough.

“I want to say thank you to Improve Balance, they helped me with the training cost and it’s greatly appreciated. I also want to say thank you to the people at SFC for the sparring and training help, and a big thank you to the fans and all the people that support me.”

You can follow Ava at OfficialAvaKnight.com and visit MyImproveBalance.com

CHECK THE STORY OUT ON MYBOXINGFANS.COM

Saturday night in Colima Mexico, Ava Knight took the IBF Flyweight Worldtitle from Arely Mucino fo Mexico. The fight ended in a second round knock outthat ended the fight with a bang.

Ava Knight: "I walked into that fight confident. I knew that if I wanted to win fare and square, I would have to come out with a knock out because I didn't want any questions to who really won.

Coach Ben Bautista of San Francisco had a plan, and we executed it exactly how we wanted to. Camp was hard, long, and a three hour drive back andforth from Chico to SF for training was brutal, but it was part of my road to becoming champion. I knew this was my chance to grab a title at a weight class I have been yearning to fight in since I started. Flyweight is my naturalweight class, walking around at 114, so staying at this weight class strong is what I aim to do. I feel no one can beat me in the flyweight division and I am determined to stay Champion after 5 long years of being a professional and going through some tough fights that most girls don't see until they reachsuper star status.

The actual fight was short. The first round for me was a feel out round. I wanted to see what she was planning on doing and where she was going to be throwing her punches from. It was a close round, we were both being cautious and watching each other. The second round I noticed the difference infacial expression. After being hit, I saw that she didn't want to exchange anymore. I felt strong, and she was getting a taste of what a real flyweight feels like in the ring. I saw my openings and came in and executed a combination that ended in a straight right hand that dropped her to the floor, which the refereecalled a slip. After that moment I thought, I'm not going to get my knock downs counted for so it's time to get to work. I came in with a body punches that ended with a left hook to the head that took her out. The referee waived the fight off immediately and her corner and the doctor came in to help her.  Concerned about her safety, my corner and I all took a knee and prayed, and when finished, we came up paid our respect toher and enjoyed our victory.  

I am very proud to take home a championship to the people who have paid so much attention, time and love to bring me to this point in my life. I've always heard that I was going to be a world champion, and now I can finally say that I am. I have come to realize that boxing brings people together like family. My boxing family is a large one, but complete in the sense that I only need themto venture on the journey to get me to the top and stay there. Boxing is alonely sport, so the team that backs you up are the people who care enough toput in time and work to see you succeed.

Thank you all for the support and love I have felt for the work that I have been put in. Thank you to my team, SFC, my coach Ben Bautista, sparring partners,the promoter Hector Garcia for the opportunity, Team Mucino for coming into thering, and Improve Balance Bands for sponsoring me for my training camp. I will work hard every day to live my life as a champion and to keep this world title in my hands."

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