Daisy Ocasio
Encyclopedia
Daisy Ocasio is a well known Puerto Rican
athlete. A participant of Marathon and Track and Field
races, she is also a former female boxer
.
Ocasio was born in Vega Baja
, to the north coast of Puerto Rico
. Although she and Ossie Ocasio
shared one sport, boxing
, it is not known whether the two have a family connection.
Daisy Ocasio had an accomplished career in the running fields, holding various records at different international races. In 1991, she participated as a Track and Field runner at the Havana, Cuba Pan American Games
. She also participated at various Olympics
.
Ocasio's photos were commonly seen on Puerto Rican newspapers during the early 1990s, when she was at the top of her career as a runner. She continued on running, and winning races, until the late 1990s. Many Puerto Ricans came to identify her, just as they did with Angelita Lind
during the 1980s, as one of the most important runners of Puerto Rico. That's why, when she announced she would become a female boxer, she caused some shock among many of her fans.
On July 23, 1998, she debuted as a boxer, defeating Andrea Figueroa by a knockout
in round two at Vega Baja. Only nineteen days later, she beat Lizette Pizarro by a knockout in the first round, also in her hometown.
On November 7 of that year, she beat Marischa Sjau, in Lake Worth, Florida
, to mark her United States
debut. By then, she had moved to Florida
to train
.
On March 3, 1999, she beat Pamela Clarke, by then considered a top fighter, by a knockout in three rounds at Miami. Then, on December 8 came what could be considered as her best victory: facing future world champion Patricia Demick
of Chile
, Ocasio won by a six round unanimous decision.
On April 15, 2004, in what would turn out to be her last fight, she was knocked out by future world champion Britt Van Buskirk, in Temecula, California
.
She retired from women's boxing with a record of five wins and one loss, with three knockout wins.
Currently in her 40s, Ocasio now leads a relatively quiet life, and has returned to live full time in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
athlete. A participant of Marathon and Track and Field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
races, she is also a former female boxer
Women's boxing
Women's boxing first appeared in the Olympic Games at a demonstration bout in 1902. For most of the 20th century, however, it was banned in most nations. Its revival was pioneered by the Swedish Amateur Boxing Association, which sanctioned events for women in 1988. The British Amateur Boxing...
.
Ocasio was born in Vega Baja
Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
Vega Baja is a municipality in north central Puerto Rico located in the northern coast, north of Morovis; east of Manatí; and west of Vega Alta. Vega Baja is spread over 13 wards and Vega Baja Pueblo...
, to the north coast of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. Although she and Ossie Ocasio
Ossie Ocasio
Osvaldo Ocasio, , better known as Ossie Ocasio and nicknamed Jaws, is a Puerto Rican who was a boxer and world Cruiserweight champion. He got his peculiar nickname after accidentally biting another boxer during a sparring session...
shared one sport, boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, it is not known whether the two have a family connection.
Daisy Ocasio had an accomplished career in the running fields, holding various records at different international races. In 1991, she participated as a Track and Field runner at the Havana, Cuba Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
. She also participated at various Olympics
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
.
Ocasio's photos were commonly seen on Puerto Rican newspapers during the early 1990s, when she was at the top of her career as a runner. She continued on running, and winning races, until the late 1990s. Many Puerto Ricans came to identify her, just as they did with Angelita Lind
Angelita Lind
Angelita Lind a.k.a. "The Angel of Puerto Rico" is a Puerto Rican track and field athlete.-Early years:Lind was born in the barrio Marin Bajo of Patillas, Puerto Rico into a poor family. She received her primary and secondary education in her hometown...
during the 1980s, as one of the most important runners of Puerto Rico. That's why, when she announced she would become a female boxer, she caused some shock among many of her fans.
On July 23, 1998, she debuted as a boxer, defeating Andrea Figueroa by a knockout
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
in round two at Vega Baja. Only nineteen days later, she beat Lizette Pizarro by a knockout in the first round, also in her hometown.
On November 7 of that year, she beat Marischa Sjau, in Lake Worth, Florida
Lake Worth, Florida
Lake Worth is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, which takes its name from the body of water along its eastern border, originally called "Lake Worth", and now generally known as the Lake Worth Lagoon. The lake itself was named for General William J. Worth, who led U.S. forces during the last...
, to mark her United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
debut. By then, she had moved to Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
to train
Boxing training
Boxing training is the training method that boxers use in order to get more fit for their sport. This training method is often cited by medical doctors, boxing trainers, and writers as one of the most spartan forms of sports training.- Training :...
.
On March 3, 1999, she beat Pamela Clarke, by then considered a top fighter, by a knockout in three rounds at Miami. Then, on December 8 came what could be considered as her best victory: facing future world champion Patricia Demick
Patricia Demick
Patricia Demick is a female boxer who made history by becoming Chile's first world boxing champion ever, including male boxing....
of Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, Ocasio won by a six round unanimous decision.
On April 15, 2004, in what would turn out to be her last fight, she was knocked out by future world champion Britt Van Buskirk, in Temecula, California
Temecula, California
Temecula is a city in southwestern Riverside County, California, United States with a population of 100,097 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it the lowest populated American city over 100,000 population. It was incorporated on December 1, 1989...
.
She retired from women's boxing with a record of five wins and one loss, with three knockout wins.
Currently in her 40s, Ocasio now leads a relatively quiet life, and has returned to live full time in Puerto Rico.