When it ‘La Reina’ it pours
Carina “La Reina” Moreno moves up in weight for a title at light flyweight

Story by Chris Cozzone
Photos by Daisy Rosas

“You ain’t lookin’ at no ordinary woman when you look at Carina Moreno,” boasts the boisterous “Repo” Ricky Steve, who, along with Rick Noble, manages the 5’0”, 105-pound world champion.

“She’s got the power of a man-woman. And when she boxes? You’re looking at ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley.”

While, with a name like “Repo” Rick, you might expect a bit of embellishment, there is enough truth in his statements to know that Carino Moreno is one of women’s boxing’s pound-for-bound best.

Regarded as the top champion at 105, the current WBC minimumweight champion will be temporarily moving up a few pounds to fight for another title at 108.

Next Friday night, Moreno, 17-1 with five kayos, challenges Eileen “The Hawaiian Mongoose” Olszewski, 5-0-1, of New York City, by way of Hawaii, for the vacant IFBA light flyweight title.

“Moving up is not permanent,” says Moreno. “It’s just for this fight. But my goal was to be champ at 105, than 108 and, eventually, 112. I got the right opportunity, right here and now.

“It’s great to be part of a pay-per-view card like this, too. I’m very excited.”

The title fight is one of four title fights featured on the “Finally!” card televised on Pay-Per-View from Isleta Casino & Resort in Albuquerque, N.M.

“I expect a hell of a fight,” says Moreno. “I know Eileen wants this belt as much as I do.”

The undefeated Olszewski, who recently scored an upset win over Elena “Babydoll” Reid in February, for the WIBA version of the flyweight title, is no stranger to Moreno.

“Me and Eileen go way back,” says the fighter from Watsonville, Calif. “We were amateurs together, and on the same team. We did quite a bit of sparring together.”

As an amateur, Moreno was 36-2. She won the 2003 USA Nationals, then represented the U.S. in a dual meet in Finland, winning a gold medal. Upon hearing that women’s boxing would not be part of the 2004 Olympics, Moreno turned pro at 21.

Olszewski, on the other hand, waited until the end of 2006 before turning pro, at the age of 37, after racking up a 28-0 record, three national championships and a gold medal at the 2001 Pan-Am Games.

“I’m sure she’s changed her style by now, though,” says Moreno. “In the amateurs, she held her hands up high. Now, as a pro, from the one round of video I saw of her, she was definitely different, fighting ‘New York style,’ hitting-and-running.”

Besides next week’s showdown with Olszewski, Moreno says she would like a rematch with Wendy Rodriguez—but she’s doubtful she’ll ever get it.

Rodriguez, 18-3 (3 KOs), who is also included in next week’s PPV line, up, in a title fight against Holly Dunaway, 21-6 (10 KOs), is the only one with a win over Moreno.

“It shows on the books as a loss, but, deep down inside, I know I did not lose that fight,” says Moreno.

In January 2006, Rodriguez won a technical decision over Moreno when the fight was stopped in round six, due to a cut over Rodriguez’s eye. The scores were tallied: 59-55 and 58-56 for Rodriguez, 58-56 for Moreno.

“That fight was taken away from me, but it’s one of those things that happen,” says Moreno. “Since then, we’ve offered her a rematch, but she’s avoiding me.

“She doesn’t want it. She’s not willing to fight me again.”

Moreno is hopeful that a rematch will happen, but says she will “let it go,” and move on, otherwise.

“It’s important to fight the best out there,” she says.

“There are not enough opportunities in women’s boxing—you need to take them when they are offered—like next week.”

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