“La Alacrana” Ready for Vegas Awards
Sindy “La Alacrana” Amador will be inducted into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame (IWBHF) this weekend in Las Vegas!
I spoke to the former IFBA champion about her upcoming event in the Mecca of Boxing. The two-day bash takes place Friday, October 6 and Saturday, October 7 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino. It coincides with IWBHF’s Founder/President Sue Fox’s 10th Anniversary and also the 25th Anniversary of the Women Boxing Archive Network (WBAN). The festivities will include both the 2023 and the 2024 inductees along with other special awardees including Kaliesha West, Sonya Lamonakis, Jill Diamond, Layla McCarter, Chevelle Hallback, Alicia Ashley, Laura Ramsey, Lou DiBella, Bruce Silverglade and many more.
I first met Sindy in February 2012 at a media workout with Thompson Boxing Promotions. She was fierce and focused in the ring, hardworking and dedicated. One tough chica. And outside the ring, Sindy is one of the most glamorous athletes you will ever meet. Many 
people were surprised to learn that she was a boxing champ because her persona off the canvas is of a very petite lady who always dresses to the nines with perfect hair and makeup too. But then they see photos of her bleeding from a cut (in a fight that she won) and they quickly realize that women can be both tough and strong and feminine and fancy at the same time. There are no limits. And this mighty fighter is definitely a ring warrior who can also work as a fitness model and have dual jobs. She is a 5′ tall dynamo that can do it all.
Boxing has always been a “man’s world” but things were still slowly changing during Sindy’s time in the sweet science. While other women before her have certainly paved the way through the decades, women boxers were still not as prevalent as men’s boxing. But at the time, more and more females were putting on the gloves in amateur boxing and the professional ranks too.
During her career, Sindy (12-1-1, 1 KO) fought from 2010 to 2014 but had to retire early because of an eye injury. “La Alacrana” (The Scorpion) fought the likes of Carina Moreno, Gloria Salas, Amaris Quintana, Jolene Blackshear, Adrienne Alegria, Anahi Torres, Katarina de la Cruz, among others. The junior flyweight is currently a boxing coach, fitness trainer, actress, natural bodybuilder, fitness model, and content creator. She attends many live boxing shows and events in and around Southern California and is always a popular draw with the fans.
Sindy attended last year’s IWBHF’s gala as a guest and this year, she will be shining on stage as an honoree. The Durango, Mexico native says she is really looking forward to this KO weekend with the IWBHF. She will be attending the awards ceremony with her partner Paco Perez, her father Jorge Amador, and friends and family joining in the fiesta.
The talented Latina told me how appreciative of all the support she has received through the years. The SoCal athlete first began boxing with trainer Ruben Castanon and gym owner Charlie Perez, who was also her manager and cutman. She honed her skills at the Capital Punishment Boxing Club in Riverside County. And through her pro boxing career, Sindy became friends with many of her former foes and has nothing but respect for her fellow fighters Jolene Blackshear, Maria “Maggie” Suarez, Amaris Quintana, etc.
On the eve of her trip to Vegas, I spoke with Sindy to hear her thoughts on the big “Night of the Stars” weekend celebrating and honoring ladies and gentlemen who have made their mark in women’s boxing and breaking barriers along the way. The former champ talks about her emotions upon learning of her latest honor, which fight highlights stand out, and what she would tell today’s female fighters!
MICHELE CHONG: Hi Sindy! Congrats on your induction this weekend! What was your initial reaction when you found out you were being inducted?
SINDY AMADOR: It was funny because Sue called me and she started out by saying, “I’m sorry to tell you…that you’re being inducted into the Hall of Fame!” This year, there will be two classes together 2023 and 2024 and I’m going in with the 2024 group. It was a very special moment when she told me because I was recovering from surgery during that time. And the way she told me (with her joking at first and then I realized I was being inducted) was great! I was so happy when Sue told me and she knew I deserved to be inducted a long time ago.
And I couldn’t wait to tell Ruben and Charlie! It was exciting news and even more special because I’m going in with inductees Kaliesha West and Rhonda Luna who are part of my generation. They were my mentors and my sparring partners too!
MC: What are some of your favorite highlights from your career?
SA: My pro debut was one of my favorite highlights. And another good fight was when I first fought for Thompson Boxing. At the time, I don’t think they had any female fighters on their cards? Ruben spoke to Alex Camponovo and got him to say yes. And I think I was one of the very first girls to fight there! Thanks to Ruben who got me on the card. I fought Cristina Fuentes, a tough opponent, and I won by unanimous decision. It was a war and I thought “This girl can punch!” It was great getting a chance to fight on a Thompson card and after that first fight, I fought very often at Thompson shows! And that led to other promoters (like Roy Englebrecht) giving me a chance for my championship fight.
MC: And now you’re an IWBHF inductee! Do you have your speech ready?
SA: I do! But I have to practice. Paco helped me write it. We only have three minutes for a speech and I want to make sure to thank everyone. They’ll show on the screen my name, photo and record so I want to use the time to really thank the people who supported me.
MC: You’ve also mentioned how former rivals in the ring became your friends after your fights…
SA: Yes! My only loss was to Jolene Blackshear. And after the fight, Jolene reached out to me and told me thanks for the opportunity. She told me my time will come. And after that, I started working even harder! She is a great athlete and a great person, and there was no rivalry after our fight. We became friends.
MC: What is your advice for young female fighters?
SA: I would say: GO FOR IT! And never lose hope. If you really love the sport, now is the time to fight. There’s much more equality now than when I was fighting. And with all the social media now, it’s like an explosion! I wish my era was like it is now in the present. Social media is so much more now and a way to promote yourself. I wish I could fight again, but I know I can’t. There are do many more chances now for female fighters with getting sponsors, being on TV, and signing with promoters.
MC: Have fun in Vegas and congrats to you! I’m very happy for you and so proud of you, Sindy.
SA: Thank you, Michele!
Congratulations again y ¡Felicidades! Sindy Amador! And congrats to all of the new IWBHF inductees and special honorees!
Previous Profile Featuring Sindy:
Photos by Michele Chong/Poster courtesy of IWBHF