Adriana Delgado may be rated by all three of the major women's boxing organizations, but it’s true—she’s never been out of the sixth round. Delia “Chiquita” Gonzalez has. Delgado has never faced a world champion in the ring, current or former. Gonzalez has. In fact, Gonzalez is a former world champion. In her 13th professional fight, Delgado faces her toughest foe yet. Also rated by all three top ABC’s—Gonzalez is #1 in the IFBA, #4 in the WIBA and #1 in the IWBF, all in the flyweight division, compared to Delgado’s rankings of #1, #8 and #9, in the bantam and jr. bantam classes—“Chiquita” appears to have the advantage when it comes to experience and opposition. Coming off her busiest year yet, the former IWBF champ has faced some of boxing’s toughest fighters in the lower weight classes, including Mary Ortega, Wendy Rodriguez, Regina Halmich, Yvonne Trevino, Kimberly Messer and Yolanda Gonzalez. She’s been out of the 6th round five times, and in 26 fights, has only been stopped once—back in 1994 when she was fighting well out of her weight division. Needless to say: On February 21st, at the Sky City Casino in Acoma, Adriana Delgado is in for the biggest test of her career.
Delgado has something to prove—why else take a fight against someone like Gonzalez, and for a title that, in women’s boxing, is not regarded very highly? Delgado and Gonzalez will be duking it out for the vacant IBA’s Women’s Jr. Bantamweight title. Unlike the three top organizations—the IFBA, WIBA, and IWBF—the IBA Women’s titles are considered somewhat less significant. The opportunity to fight for the IFBA jr. bantamweight belt, however, had been offered to Delgado, and arranged for March at the Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio, CO. For $5,000, Delgado had a shot at newly-crowned champ Para Draine, but the fight was turned down for a lesser payday of $3,500, and a lesser title. “It comes down to loyalty,” says Delgado, who instead chose to go with her promoter Lenny Fresquez for the card at Sky City. “Lenny’s been with me from the beginning, and I had to pick one or the other.” Also caught in the middle was Adriana’s trainer, Fred Esquibel, who disagreed with Adriana’s choice of title fights. “The IFBA title fight was more money, for more recognition and more opportunity—and against an easier fighter,” says Esquibel. “For five thousand, it was a sweet deal. Choosing to fight at Sky City was a kind of bummer, and left a bad taste in my mouth. “But, as a trainer, I’ve learned where my place is. Whether it’s a mistake or not, it’s not my job to negotiate. We’ll do what Adriana wants—we work for her and will train her, regardless.” Esquibel was convinced that Delgado would’ve beaten Draine. Against Gonzalez, Esquibel remains confident of a win, although he calls it a “much tougher fight.” “Delia is a tough opponent but she’s beatable. Adriana will be in tip-top shape. She’s strong, fast and she hits hard.” Fresquez Productions had offered Elena “Babydoll” Reid the fight against Delgado but was turned down. There had also been negotiations with the camps of Bridgett Riley and undefeated prospect out of Las Vegas, NV, Melinda Cooper. Delgado’s plan is to take care of business against Gonzalez, then go on to win bigger titles, and to fight bigger foes. Delgado says there’s already been an offer to fight Reid for something akin to $10,000. Whether that opportunity and big payday will exist after February 21st is another story—much of it depends on the outcome of Delgado vs. Gonzalez. ©
2003 by New Mexico Boxing.com. |
“I’m
facing a very tough opponent,” admits Delgado. “Delia has more experience, and
has been up against some real tough fighters. She’s got good defense, power and
skill. I expect her to look her best.”