Marcela Acuña
Encyclopedia
Marcela Eliana Acuña is an Argentine
female boxer
, who is nicknamed La Tigresa. Her mother wished for Acuña to become a ballerina
, but that was never Acuña's dream.
Acuña enjoyed boxing from a very early age. At the age of seven, she visited a boxing gym for the first time. Her first trainer, Ramon Chaparro, would many years later become her husband.
Marcela Acuña became an accomplished martial arts
fighter before she decided to box for money. At the age of twelve, she had earned a black belt
and she became South America's champion in her division by the age of fourteen. She made sixteen successful title defenses.
She had to retire from karate due to pregnancy. In 1995, she and Chaparro had their first son. After some time away from combat sports, Acuña decided that she would return, only this time, she would compete in boxing.
Like Rafael Lovera, Pete Rademacher
, and a few others before her, Acuña got a world title try on her very first match. On December 5, 1997, she was matched against WBC
women's world champion Christy Martin, in Pompano Beach, Florida
, in an undercard that was headlined by Johnny Tapia
's world championship defense against Puerto Rico
's Andy Agosto and which was shown nationally across the United States. Acuña was dropped in round ten, but she rose and finished the bout on her feet. Despite losing a unanimous decision by scores of 100-90 and 99-90 (twice), Acuña's performance was hailed by many fans and critics alike, considering that this was her first professional boxing bout.
In a very unusual case, Acuña also got a world title try on her second fight. This time, she met Lucia Rijker
on September 25, 1998, at Ledyard, Connecticut
. This fight was contested for the WIBO world Jr. Welterweight title. Acuña was knocked out in five rounds.
This would prove to be a critical point in Acuña's boxing career. Controversy spread around the women's boxing world because a woman with no previous boxing experience had been given two world title tries in a row, something that had never even happened in men's boxing. Many defended the choice of putting Acuña against world champions right away, based on her karate record of 17 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw (tie). But, on the other side, other fans and critics felt it was inappropriate and degrading to the sport that someone with no previous experience would be put in against fighters of the quality of Martin and Rijker right away.
The controversy, combined with the fact that she had lost her two fights up until then, convinced Acuña to retire. Apart from the disappointment she felt after those two losses and the controversy surrounding them, she had also given birth to her second son before the fight with Rijker, and she wanted to tend to her children.
, made Argentine boxing history when they participated in the first ever women's boxing fight to be sanctioned by the Argentine boxing commission. Acuña got her first win, with a four round split decision over the American at Buenos Aires
, on April 28 of that year.
On June 1, she obtained a six round unanimous decision win over Luz Marina Sanabria Ledesma of Colombia
, at Formosa.
Twenty eight days later, she got her first knockout
win, when she defeated Uruguay
's Andrea Pereyra in only two rounds.
On August 11, she returned to Buenos Aires, to defeat Yolanda Marrugo, dropping her twice, on her way to a six round unanimous decision.
On September 21, she fought at Carlos Monzón
's birthplace, Santa Fe
, when she was rematched with Pereyra. Acuña knocked out Pereyra in five rounds, and Pereyra required hospitalization after this fight. Acuña was awarded the "La Opinion's 80th anniversary" trophy that night.
On October 12, she knocked out Ana Dos Santos in two rounds, for her last appearance of 2001.
If for nothing else, the fight was widely expected because Quirico was a well known personality with developed body strength, who helped fan interest for the fight develop when she began to threaten Acuña through the media. Although she was 40 years old already, she seemed to feel an authentic dislike towards Acuña, and fans across Argentina spoke about the fight on the weeks prior to the event. The fact Quirico had participated in twenty three exhibition matches, as well as in karate and baseball also helped fan interest grow.
They met on January 19, 2002, at Buenos Aires. Acuña scored one of the quickest knockouts in boxing history, when she landed a right to Quirico's chin right after the first bell rang, and followed it with a left that sent Quirico to the floor. Quirico was counted out and Acuña officially won the fight at fourteen seconds of round one. The win earned her the Argentine Featherweight title.
On March 1, she had to fight one of her closest friends, Carmen Montiel, to defend her Argentina title. Acuña outpointed Montiel over ten rounds. Next, she would have had her third world title try, on April 6 against Panama
's Damaris Pinock Ortega, for the vacant WIBA
title. The 2002 Argentine economic crisis
, however, forced for the fight to be postponed.
On June 29, she and Montiel had a rematch, and Acuña once again prevailed, by an eight round unanimous decision.
Acuña then lost weight, going down all the way to the Super Bantamweight division to get her third try at becoming a world champion. In what was the first ever women's boxing world championship fight to be staged in Argentina, Acuña lost a split decision to champion Alicia Ashley
.
challenger Lourdes Gonzalez in two rounds to win the Argentine Super Bantamweight title.
On May 10, she fought in a place where boxing matches are rare: Tierra del Fuego
, where she knocked out Ana Davila Ferreira in two rounds.
Then came a rematch with Ashley. On her fourth world title try, Acuña lost to Ashley for the second time, this time by a ten round unanimous decision, on June 14.
On August 22, she and her friend Carmen Montiel met for the third time, and Acuña once again beat Montiel on points, this time in six rounds. This victory set up the stage for Acuña's fifth world title try. It should be mentioned that few boxers who have tried for the world title four times without success have been given a fifth try in boxing history, so a fifth chance at becoming world champion could be considered a privilege in boxing.
On December 6, she and Panamanian Pinock Ortega finally got to meet, and Acuña became world champion when she knocked out Ortega in the sixth round for the vacant WIBA Super Bantamweight title.
at her corner, also required a short stay at a hospital.
On September 11, Acuña knocked out Ana Camilla Santos in the third round of a non title bout.
.
Marcela Acuña holds a record of 17 wins and 4 losses, with 8 knockout wins.
.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
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...
, who is nicknamed La Tigresa. Her mother wished for Acuña to become a ballerina
Ballerina
A ballerina is a title used to describe a principal female professional ballet dancer in a large company; the male equivalent to this title is danseur or ballerino...
, but that was never Acuña's dream.
Acuña enjoyed boxing from a very early age. At the age of seven, she visited a boxing gym for the first time. Her first trainer, Ramon Chaparro, would many years later become her husband.
Marcela Acuña became an accomplished martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
fighter before she decided to box for money. At the age of twelve, she had earned a black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
and she became South America's champion in her division by the age of fourteen. She made sixteen successful title defenses.
She had to retire from karate due to pregnancy. In 1995, she and Chaparro had their first son. After some time away from combat sports, Acuña decided that she would return, only this time, she would compete in boxing.
Like Rafael Lovera, Pete Rademacher
Pete Rademacher
Thomas Peter Rademacher is a former boxer who made boxing history by being the only man to fight for the world heavyweight championship in his first professional fight.-Amateur career:...
, and a few others before her, Acuña got a world title try on her very first match. On December 5, 1997, she was matched against WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
women's world champion Christy Martin, in Pompano Beach, Florida
Pompano Beach, Florida
Pompano Beach ) is a city in Broward County, Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean just to the north of Fort Lauderdale. The nearby Hillsboro Inlet forms part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 99,845...
, in an undercard that was headlined by Johnny Tapia
Johnny Tapia
John Lee "Johnny" Tapia is a Mexican-American five-time world boxing champion.-Childhood:Johnny Tapia's life began with tragedy. His father had reportedly been murdered while his mother was pregnant with him. At the age of 8, his mother Virginia was kidnapped, raped, hung, repeatedly stabbed, and...
's world championship defense against 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...
's Andy Agosto and which was shown nationally across the United States. Acuña was dropped in round ten, but she rose and finished the bout on her feet. Despite losing a unanimous decision by scores of 100-90 and 99-90 (twice), Acuña's performance was hailed by many fans and critics alike, considering that this was her first professional boxing bout.
In a very unusual case, Acuña also got a world title try on her second fight. This time, she met Lucia Rijker
Lucia Rijker
Lucia Rijker is a Dutch professional female boxer, kickboxer, and actress.Rijker has been dubbed by the press and opponents "The Most Dangerous Woman in the World". She can speak four languages and is a Buddhist, dedicating time daily to meditation and chanting...
on September 25, 1998, at Ledyard, Connecticut
Ledyard, Connecticut
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,687 people, 5,286 households, and 4,101 families residing in the town. The population density was 385.1 people per square mile . There were 5,486 housing units at an average density of 143.8 per square mile...
. This fight was contested for the WIBO world Jr. Welterweight title. Acuña was knocked out in five rounds.
This would prove to be a critical point in Acuña's boxing career. Controversy spread around the women's boxing world because a woman with no previous boxing experience had been given two world title tries in a row, something that had never even happened in men's boxing. Many defended the choice of putting Acuña against world champions right away, based on her karate record of 17 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw (tie). But, on the other side, other fans and critics felt it was inappropriate and degrading to the sport that someone with no previous experience would be put in against fighters of the quality of Martin and Rijker right away.
The controversy, combined with the fact that she had lost her two fights up until then, convinced Acuña to retire. Apart from the disappointment she felt after those two losses and the controversy surrounding them, she had also given birth to her second son before the fight with Rijker, and she wanted to tend to her children.
2001
Acuña returned to boxing in 2001, and she and her rival, Jamillia Lawrence of New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, made Argentine boxing history when they participated in the first ever women's boxing fight to be sanctioned by the Argentine boxing commission. Acuña got her first win, with a four round split decision over the American at Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, on April 28 of that year.
On June 1, she obtained a six round unanimous decision win over Luz Marina Sanabria Ledesma of Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, at Formosa.
Twenty eight days later, she got her first 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...
win, when she defeated Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
's Andrea Pereyra in only two rounds.
On August 11, she returned to Buenos Aires, to defeat Yolanda Marrugo, dropping her twice, on her way to a six round unanimous decision.
On September 21, she fought at Carlos Monzón
Carlos Monzón
Carlos Monzón was an Argentine professional boxer who held the undisputed world middleweight title for 7 years, during which he successfully defended the title 14 times....
's birthplace, Santa Fe
Santa Fe, Argentina
Santa Fe is the capital city of province of Santa Fe, Argentina. It sits in northeastern Argentina, near the junction of the Paraná and Salado rivers. It lies opposite the city of Paraná, to which it is linked by the Hernandarias Subfluvial Tunnel. The city is also connected by canal with the...
, when she was rematched with Pereyra. Acuña knocked out Pereyra in five rounds, and Pereyra required hospitalization after this fight. Acuña was awarded the "La Opinion's 80th anniversary" trophy that night.
On October 12, she knocked out Ana Dos Santos in two rounds, for her last appearance of 2001.
2002
Her first fight of 2002 was preceded by much media hype. She was challenged by famous fitness instructor Patricia Quirico, who herself was making her professional debut when she boxed Acuña.If for nothing else, the fight was widely expected because Quirico was a well known personality with developed body strength, who helped fan interest for the fight develop when she began to threaten Acuña through the media. Although she was 40 years old already, she seemed to feel an authentic dislike towards Acuña, and fans across Argentina spoke about the fight on the weeks prior to the event. The fact Quirico had participated in twenty three exhibition matches, as well as in karate and baseball also helped fan interest grow.
They met on January 19, 2002, at Buenos Aires. Acuña scored one of the quickest knockouts in boxing history, when she landed a right to Quirico's chin right after the first bell rang, and followed it with a left that sent Quirico to the floor. Quirico was counted out and Acuña officially won the fight at fourteen seconds of round one. The win earned her the Argentine Featherweight title.
On March 1, she had to fight one of her closest friends, Carmen Montiel, to defend her Argentina title. Acuña outpointed Montiel over ten rounds. Next, she would have had her third world title try, on April 6 against Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
's Damaris Pinock Ortega, for the vacant WIBA
Women's International Boxing Association
The Women's International Boxing Association a sanctioning body for women's professional boxing came into existence in July 2000, and quickly grew into a major force in the sport....
title. The 2002 Argentine economic crisis
Argentine economic crisis (1999-2002)
The Argentine economic crisis was a financial situation, tied to poilitical unrest, that affected Argentina's economy during the late 1990s and early 2000s...
, however, forced for the fight to be postponed.
On June 29, she and Montiel had a rematch, and Acuña once again prevailed, by an eight round unanimous decision.
Acuña then lost weight, going down all the way to the Super Bantamweight division to get her third try at becoming a world champion. In what was the first ever women's boxing world championship fight to be staged in Argentina, Acuña lost a split decision to champion Alicia Ashley
Alicia Ashley
Alicia Ashley is a women's boxing participant who is the current WBC female world super bantamweight champion. Ashley is a Jamaican-American. Born in Jamaica, she moved to the United States at a young age....
.
2003
Acuña then decided to take another two year lay-off, but she had also decided to stay around the Super Bantamweight division's weight limit, because she wanted to fight in that division from there on. And when she returned for the second time, on February 21, 2003, she knocked out former Regina HalmichRegina Halmich
Regina Halmich is a popular female boxer from Germany. Halmich is among the most successful female boxers of all time, and helped popularize female boxing in Europe.-Amateur career:...
challenger Lourdes Gonzalez in two rounds to win the Argentine Super Bantamweight title.
On May 10, she fought in a place where boxing matches are rare: Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago off the southernmost tip of the South American mainland, across the Strait of Magellan. The archipelago consists of a main island Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego divided between Chile and Argentina with an area of , and a group of smaller islands including Cape...
, where she knocked out Ana Davila Ferreira in two rounds.
Then came a rematch with Ashley. On her fourth world title try, Acuña lost to Ashley for the second time, this time by a ten round unanimous decision, on June 14.
On August 22, she and her friend Carmen Montiel met for the third time, and Acuña once again beat Montiel on points, this time in six rounds. This victory set up the stage for Acuña's fifth world title try. It should be mentioned that few boxers who have tried for the world title four times without success have been given a fifth try in boxing history, so a fifth chance at becoming world champion could be considered a privilege in boxing.
On December 6, she and Panamanian Pinock Ortega finally got to meet, and Acuña became world champion when she knocked out Ortega in the sixth round for the vacant WIBA Super Bantamweight title.
2004
On May 26, 2004, she made her first world championship defense, knocking out Daysi Padilla in the first round. Padilla, who had former world champion Ricardo CardonaRicardo Cardona
Ricardo Cardona is a Latino chef in New York City who is the executive chef of Lua, Sofrito and Hudson River Cafe as well as the chef for the New York Yankees and their opponents during home games at Yankee Stadium.-Career:...
at her corner, also required a short stay at a hospital.
On September 11, Acuña knocked out Ana Camilla Santos in the third round of a non title bout.
2005
On January 22, 2005, she knocked out Maria Elena Miranda in three rounds to win the WIBA's vacant world Featherweight title, at FormosaFormosa, Argentina
Formosa is the capital city of the Argentine province of Formosa, on the banks of the Paraguay River, about from Buenos Aires, on National Route 11. It has a population of about 210,000 as per the ....
.
Marcela Acuña holds a record of 17 wins and 4 losses, with 8 knockout wins.
Politics
She is fourth on the Peronist list running for city council in Tres de Febrero PartidoTres de Febrero Partido
Tres de Febrero is a partido of the Greater Buenos Aires conurbation area in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.-Districts:* Caseros* Churruca* Ciudad Jardín Lomas del Palomar* Ciudadela* El Libertador* José Ingenieros...
.