“La Alacrana” Fighting on “New Blood” Card
Looks can be deceiving.
Outside the ropes, boxer Sindy Amador is very petite and polite, a calm demeanor offset with a winning smile. Impeccably dressed with every hair in place, lipstick expertly applied and outfitted in the latest fashions, she looks like any other young career woman aiming for success. But it just so happens that Sindy’s career is that of a professional prizefighter. And inside the ring, she’s all business.
The Riverside fighter may wear bright bikinis and cornrow braids at her weigh-ins but make no mistake about it, she switches to beast mode once she enters that squared circle.
I caught up with the scrappy puncher as she was heading to the Capital Punishment Boxing Gym, where she trains with manager Charlie Perez and trainer Ruben Castanon. This boxing gym is teeming with activity; the light flyweight works out side by side with her pro stablemates Artemio Reyes Jr., Jose Reynoso, Jhon Ortega, Aaron Acevedo, Ignacio Garcia , Fernando Rojas and more. One of the Capital Punishment boxing coaches that frequents the gym is impressed with Sindy’s work ethic and of her training with Perez and Castanon. “I saw her training yesterday,” Willie Tubbs tells me. “Sindy’s a really quick learner. She takes instructions well and executes well! I think she’s doing a great job.”
On Friday, August 24, Sindy will be featured on the undercard of her fellow boxer, Artemio “King” Reyes, who is the main event on Thompson Boxing Promotions’ “New Blood” card to be held at the Omega Products Outdoor Arena in Corona, California.
Amador (8-0, 1 KO) will go toe to toe with Elizabeth Cervantes (3-9, 1 KO) in their SoCal showdown scheduled for six rounds. In her eight fights to date, Sindy has faced Amaris Quintana, Gloria Salas, Katarina De La Cruz, and others–and is ready for more.
And with this week’s gold medal and bronze medal showing by female fighters Claressa Shields and Marlen Esparza, there is a whole new legion of fans suddenly interested in women’s boxing. Thompson Boxing President and Promoter Ken Thompson and General Manager/Matchmaker Alex Camponovo have placed Sindy’s last five fights on their shows at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario. The ladies’ bouts often steal the show as the crowd really cheers them on, appreciating their spirited efforts.
Riding the momentum of the Olympics’ medal-winning female boxers, you may be seeing more and more “Girl Power” at live fights. Always action-packed, the women warriors have proven they can bang with the best of them. In her last fight, Amador was cut but remained unphased even as the blood poured down her face. The fans were surprised with her toughness–and she proved her mettle in the ring.
Meet one of the fresh faces in pro boxing, the undefeated Sindy Amador.
Michele Chong: Hi Sindy, your fight is just two weeks away. What do you know about our opponent?
Sindy Amador: She’s been fighting a lot of tough girls light Kaliesha West and Melinda Cooper. For this fight, I’ll be at 113; my last fight was 106. So I’ve been doing some weight lifting and I feel good.
MC: Do you plan on staying at 113 or going back down to 106?
SA: I think I’ll be strong at any weight but I’ll go back down to 106.
MC: Your last fight was against Amaris Quintana. It was a good, bloody battle. You won that fight and the crowd loved it. Do you think there will be a rematch?
SA: Yes, after the fight her team did ask for a rematch. We were supposed to fight again so maybe it will happen in the future.
MC: You’ve only been a pro for less than two years. Did you have a lot of amateur experience?
SA: No, I didn’t! I only had four amateur fights. I wanted to fight more but I couldn’t get matches. I was just very dedicated in going to the gym and decided to turn pro.
MC: How did you get your start in boxing?
SA: I first came to the gym to lose weight! When I first started I was 150 pounds.
MC: 115 pounds?
SA: No! I was 150…1-5-0 (Laughs). I was a lot bigger than I am now. I came to the gym to get involved in a sport and I dropped the weight right away–and I fell in love with boxing!
MC: Oh wow. (Laughs) That’s incredible. You also told me you spar with the guys in the gym. Do you still do that?
SA: Yes, I do. It’s so hard to find sparring partners so I end up sparring with males.
MC: How has training been going?
SA: It’s great. Charlie (Perez) is my manager and Ruben is my trainer; I have a great team. My boyfriend Michael Aguiar is also in my corner and he’s been really supportive as well.
MC: Your ring nickname is “La Alacrana.” What does that mean?
SA: “The Scorpion!” (Laughs)
MC: (Laughs) That makes sense! People probably are surprised to see you so fierce in the ring. When you fight, you’re super tough and no-nonsense. But outside the ring, you’re really feminine and I hear fans often say that “you don’t look like a typical boxer.” It’s a contrast–and a balance–that is often misunderstood in women’s boxing. You CAN be a beast in the ring and a “girly” girl outside the ropes…
SA: I know. I’m VERY girly! I love fashion, make-up, shopping, shoes, dressing up. I love it all!
MC: Women’s boxing is getting more mainstream now especially with the females fighting in the Olympics. Did you watch any of the bouts?
SA: I am SO excited women were in the Olympics–finally! I was very excited for them. I really wanted to see Marlen’s fight. I recorded it but the schedule was off so I missed it!
MC: It was hard to find the matches on TV; hopefully it will be easier next time…Sindy, you’re probably at the gym now so thanks again for your time and good luck in your fight!
SA: Thanks, Michele!
“La Alacrana” is ready to lock claws with her nemesis.
Team Amador plans on adding another victory in their battle against Elizabeth Cervantes. Watch the stinging “Scorpion” in action at this special outdoor attraction on August 24!
Thompson Boxing Promotions’ “New Blood”
Friday, August 24 at Omega
Tickets: 714-935-0900
Doors 6:30 PM/ First Bell 7:30 PM
Photos courtesy of Sindy Amador/ Ring photo by Marlene Marquez