Women´s International Day Commemoration by the WBC

March 7th, 2023

Champions who Attended:

Mariana Juarez, Legendary WBC Champion

Asley Gonzalez, WBC Super Flyweight Champion

Lourdes Juarez, Former WBC Champion

Yuliahn Luna, WBC Bantamweight Champion

Yamileth Mercado, WBC Super Bantamweight Champion

Kudakwashe Chiwandire; WBC Interim Super Bantamweight Champion

Esmeralda Moreno, Former WBC Champion

Judith Rodriguez, Former WBC Champion

Mari Villalobos, Former WBC Champion

Patricia Trejo

WBC Cares

Christiane Manzur; WBC Cares MX President

Casa Gaviota

Maria Dolores Blancas; President

Samantha Baez; Director

WBC Woman

Paulina Vargas

Aranza Hernandez

Bordo Xochiaca Penitentiary

Veronica Jimenez, Director

Athletes

Adriana Jimenez

Ann Henningsen

Gabriela Huerta

Patricia Castañeda

Tatiana Ortiz

The WBC JOINS THE COMMEMORATION OF WOMEN’S DAY

As is our honor annually the World Boxing Council joined the commemoration of the March 8^th Women’s International Day proclaimed by the UN 1977 Charter.

We celebrated a very special press conference as women from different fields, spheres, sports, rehabilitation centers, Civil Associations, combined and united to provide testimonies about their efforts, pledge their ambitions as well as goals, asked for support, educate and enlighten all attending boxing people.

Christiane Manzur, President of WBC Cares Mexico, who led this outstanding Conference defined by the quality of its guest speakers stating that this is not a day of celebration but of reflection and to commemorate the fight that started many many years ago to build and seek the rights that women were denied.

Christiane added that March 8 is a day that reminds us that union, strength and working together has led us to achieve equality and great growth in all areas; However, this fight has not ended, since even in this century hundreds of women continue to be violated, denied their rights, deprived of their dreams and even of life itself. She was clear in saying that the WBC will not lower its guard in this fight for equality, respect, empathy and freedom, as it is an ongoing battle we owe to society and young girls so they can live plus flourish in a better world.

Christiane urged all those present not to be complicit of any “macho” actions, to get rid of those beliefs that women do not have the same rights, that they are inferior, and invited everyone to take to actions and fight shoulder to shoulder, regardless of gender.

A conference of much reflection but also the opportunity to learn from great stories of women who due to their intrepid determination have generated a change, who have broken down the wall of prejudice and with it have achieved their dreams.

Verónica Jiménez, Director of the Neza Bordo Prison, thanked the WBC for the invitation to this conference but above all, the fact that the organization turned to see one of the most vulnerable sectors, in  the penalties, and that is, the World Boxing Council took and grasped the  hand of the Neza Bordo Penitentiary have worked on developing boxing initiatives, and together,  they have managed to significantly reduce violent incidents.

She praised the work of all those women who work in prison every day and as she herself commented, 7 out of 10 people who work in the prison are women. She commented that today more than ever we must continue in the fight for gender equality but also in generating opportunities and spaces.

Mariana Juárez, women’s boxing trail blazing pioneer, recalled her time in the ring in those years when a woman was discriminated in gyms, a complex fight that day after day pushed her to the limit, but of which she feels extremely proud because not only led her to conquer her dreams but also opened a path for the new upcoming generations.

Continuing with the testimonies, Esmeralda Moreno and Lourdes Juárez were clear in saying that as athletes they have suffered gender discrimination, proof of it is still the meager purses, because even when they go up to the ring to give a great fight, the purses are not the same as men; however, they acknowledged the WBC efforts as this organization has been the only one tackling the breach by developing various projects with promoters and managers.

Green and Gold world champions Yamileth Mercado, Yuliann Luna and Kudakwashe Chiwandire also joined this talk, sharing the pride that first being women represents and then being the benchmarks of women’s boxing that have put their respective countries at the forefront, namely Mexico. and Zimbabwe.

For Asley González, who recognized that her heart was beating a thousand per hour, she shared her personal struggle with everyone present, and that is, the monarch started her career as a boxer at the age of 22 against all odds and little support from many. However, her passion and her desire to excel in this sport removed all negative comments from her mind and she continued advancing steadily to become what she is today, the first world champion from Nayarit. She confessed that boxing sheltered her in the darkest moments and today she will continue to put on her gloves, showing that limits only exist in our minds.

Olympians Adriana Jiménez, Tatiana Ortiz, Ann Henningsen and Patricia Castañeda, stressed that the fight of one is the fight of all and that together we are braver, stronger, and invincible.