Editor’s Note: This is the second part in a three-part series covering boxing in El Paso.
With only one day left until Chuco Classic on Feb. 15, the stage is being set for a night full of blood, punches and knockouts. Yet, several eyes are looking towards 18-year-old “Poison” Ivy Enriquez, who will be making her pro-debut on Saturday.
The Bel Air High School senior has been boxing for ten years. Influenced by her dad, Enriquez began fighting when he took her to a recreation center that offered boxing when she was younger. Since then, she went on to add several accomplishments under her belt such as participating on the USA Team for Junior and Youth in which she won an international gold medal in Germany in 2023. Additionally, she fought in numerous national fights, eight of which she won.
With her upcoming pro-debut, Enriquez said people around her are still surprised when she mentions her boxing career. However, despite the shock, she said it doesn’t hinder her motivation for being a female boxer.
“I like to promote boxing and show it’s a growing sport, especially for women,” Enriquez said. “Girls can do sports like guys can do, and I think it shouldn’t be any different especially for girls. I want to make it big for women boxers.”
Enriquez said that the upped training for this match helped make her love for the sport bigger.
“I think whatever you feel is right for you is what you should do,” Enriquez said. “I know some sports are difficult, but I feel like if you really do love the sport, it’s going to be something that you continue to do for a long time, [you should] do it with 100%.”
Another fighter early in his boxing career is 23-year-old Cesar Alvarado, who will be fighting his fifth professional fight. Alvarado has a 3-1 record, with a 33% knock-out rate.
Alvarado said his biggest challenge when preparing for the fight was recovering from ear surgery due to boxing that happened a year ago. He said getting into shape was a tough battle, yet drawing motivation from the people closest to him allowed him to train hard.
“[My motivation] to come back is my girlfriend, and now I have a son coming in August, so I’m excited, that’s my extra motivation every day to wake up, run, train and be a better person,” Alvarado said.
Local fighters participating in Chuco Classic echo that fighting in El Paso, and gaining community support, helps them once they step into the ring.
“I’m motivated, I’m going to be 100% ready for whatever my opponent brings to the table,” Alvarado said. “And to support us, to come out and watch all these young fighters upcoming, it helps a lot to see people supporting us, our community especially.”
With a combination of newer fighters, and ones who have been in the game for a long time, who will soon to be in the ring, El Pasoans are invited to support. Chuco Classic will be hosted at UTEP’s Memorial Gym this Saturday.
Sofia Sierra is the sports editor and may be reached at [email protected].
