Martha Salazar stands atop a division that is frankly just not adequately covered. Salazar is heavyweight boxer in the women’s division and with over a 13 plus year career, a mix of gender bias, lack of television exposure and the tough business of being a pro fighter has made for lack of recognition Salazar more than likely desired for this point in her career. That being said Salazar seemingly has had her past tests culminate into this fight on November 8th. Salazar will face Tanzee Daniel on November 8th at Longshoremen’s Hall in San Francisco, CA for WBC Heavyweight Title as the co-main event of Karim Mayfield’s return in San Francisco, CA.
“Thank God, I have been wanting this WBC belt for a long time, I fought Vonda Ward three times and it slipped away. I think it is my time right now and I am so excited for November 8th.” said Salazar in an exclusive interview with Lukie Ketelle in Pacifica, CA. Salazar who spent the whole Saturday morning training in Beautiful Brawlers Gym in the aforementioned city of Pacifica, CA split duties of training for the fight and being a mentor as she stayed busy on the allotted morning.
Salazar who wore a shirt from an event promoted by Blanca Gutiérrez, Beautiful Brawlers, that is an all-women’s amateur boxing card that takes place yearly in September typical that adore the signature of every fighter as she worked. Salazar knows that as one of the most successful fighters in women’s heavyweight the eye are on her. She acts as a role model would giving attention to up and coming prospects such as Sarah Kozumo and Stephanie Garcia-Vega on this day to give them individual attention. When talking with the fighters in the gym the sentiment was the same, Salazar inspires them not just by the way she fights, but how she carries herself outside the ring as well.
For Salazar, a humble person in general she explained that it is just now hitting her she may be the best at her division. “It’s just starting to hit me, because all the girls coming up don’t want to fight me and of course, I beat the number one [Contender] Sonya Lamonakis. She wanted to get a rematch then all of the sudden now she doesn’t want it.”
It was thought by many writers leading into this fight on November 8th that this might be it for Martha Salazar. A storybook ending winning the most prestigious title in women’s boxing in her hometown, but from the comments Salazar stated later in the day it appears this is not the case. “After [Lamonakis] spoke all that stuff about me and California and the commissioner. I said listen I will fight you in your hometown, anywhere you want to, I will fight you in your house, your backyard, anywhere. Then she brought up an issue I was too heavy for her!” Salazar expressed angered
Salazar came in 230 lbs. into the fight when they met in Sacramento, CA , but Sonya Lamonakis expressed anger since Salazar did not show up for the weigh in the day prior whereas Lamonakis traveled from New York just to attend the weigh in. “I am 230, what do you mean I am too heavy we are heavyweights and I told her on the Twitter. I will give you a shot to fight me again you just tell me what weight to come in, I’ll give it to you – she never respond like always.”
The rivalry between Salazar and Lamonakis now seems a bit person as well as an interesting story in boxing as it truly could be a rematch for the two best in the division to face one and another.
