Marcela Acuña

Marcela Eliana Acuña (born 16 October 1976) is an Argentine professional boxer and part-time politician. She has held multiple super bantamweight world titles, including the IBF title since 2018; the WBA title from 2006 to 2008; the WBC title twice between 2008 and 2010; the WBO title from 2013 to 2014; the IBF title from 2016 to 2018; and the WBA interim featherweight title in 2016. As of September 2020, she is ranked as the world's best active female super bantamweight by The Ring[1] and BoxRec,[2] and the third best active female, pound for pound, by BoxRec[3] and tenth by The Ring.[1] She won the Konex Award Merit Diploma in 2010 as one of the five best Boxers of the last decade in Argentina.[4]

Marcela Eliana Acuña
Statistics
Nickname(s)La Tigresa
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 4 1⁄2 in (164 cm)
NationalityArgentina
Born (1976-10-16) 16 October 1976
Formosa, Argentina
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights58
Wins49
Wins by KO20
Losses7
Draws2

Early life

Acuña enjoyed boxing from a very early age. At the age of seven, she visited a boxing gym for the first time. Her first trainer, Ramon Chaparro, would many years later become her husband.

Marcela Acuña became an accomplished martial arts fighter before she decided to box for money. At the age of twelve, she had earned a black belt and she became South America's champion in her division by the age of fourteen. She made sixteen successful title defenses.

She had to retire from karate due to pregnancy. In 1995, she and Chaparro had their first son. After some time away from combat sports, Acuña decided that she would return, only this time, she would compete in boxing.

Professional boxing career

Acuña made her professional debut on 5 December 1997 against Christy Martin in Pompano Beach, Florida, on an undercard that was headlined by Johnny Tapia's world championship defense against Puerto Rico's Andy Agosto and which was shown nationally across the United States. Acuña was dropped in round ten, but she rose and finished the bout on her feet. Despite losing a unanimous decision by scores of 100-90 and 99-90 (twice), Acuña's performance was hailed by many fans and critics alike, considering that this was her first professional boxing bout.

In just her second professional fight she met Lucia Rijker on 25 September 1998, at Ledyard, Connecticut, for the vacant IBO super lightweight title. Acuña was knocked out in five rounds.

After losing her first two fights, Acuña stepped away from boxing.

Return to boxing

Acuña returned to boxing in 2001, and she and her rival, Jamillia Lawrence of New Jersey, made Argentine boxing history when they participated in the first ever women's boxing fight to be sanctioned by the Argentine boxing commission. Acuña got her first win, with a four-round split decision over the American at Buenos Aires, on 12 February of that year.

On 1 June, she obtained a six-round unanimous decision win over Luz Marina Sanabria Ledesma of Colombia, at Formosa.

Twenty eight days later, she got her first knockout win, when she defeated Uruguay's Andrea Pereyra in only two rounds.

On 11 August, she returned to Buenos Aires, to defeat Yolanda Marrugo, dropping her twice, on her way to a six-round unanimous decision.

On September 21, she fought at Carlos Monzón's birthplace, Santa Fe, when she was rematched with Pereyra. Acuña knocked out Pereyra in five rounds, and Pereyra required hospitalization after this fight. Acuña was awarded the "La Opinion's 80th anniversary" trophy that night.

On 12 October she knocked out Ana Dos Santos in two rounds, for her last appearance of 2001.

Her first fight of 2002 was preceded by much media hype. She was challenged by famous fitness instructor Patricia Quirico, who herself was making her professional debut when she boxed Acuña.

If for nothing else, the fight was widely expected because Quirico was a well known personality with developed body strength, who helped fan interest for the fight develop when she began to threaten Acuña through the media. Although she was 40 years old already, she seemed to feel an authentic dislike towards Acuña, and fans across Argentina spoke about the fight on the weeks prior to the event. The fact Quirico had participated in twenty three exhibition matches, as well as in karate and baseball also helped fan interest grow.

They met on 19 January 2002, at Buenos Aires. Acuña scored one of the quickest knockouts in boxing history, when she landed a right to Quirico's chin right after the first bell rang, and followed it with a left that sent Quirico to the floor. Quirico was counted out and Acuña officially won the fight at fourteen seconds of round one. The win earned her the Argentine Featherweight title.

On 1 March she had to fight one of her closest friends, Carmen Montiel, to defend her Argentina title. Acuña outpointed Montiel over ten rounds.

Next, she would have had her second world title try, on 6 April against Panama's Damaris Pinock Ortega, for the vacant WIBA title. The 2002 Argentine economic crisis, however, forced for the fight to be postponed.

On 29 June she and Montiel had a rematch, and Acuña again prevailed, by an eight-round unanimous decision.

World championships

Acuña then lost weight, going down all the way to the Super Bantamweight division to get her second try at becoming a world champion. In what was the first ever women's boxing world championship fight to be staged in Argentina, Acuña lost a split decision to champion Alicia Ashley.

Acuña then decided to take another two-year lay-off, but she had also decided to stay around the Super Bantamweight division's weight limit, because she wanted to fight in that division from there on. And when she returned for the second time, on 21 February 2003, she knocked out former Regina Halmich challenger Lourdes Gonzalez in two rounds to win the Argentine Super Bantamweight title.

On 10 May she fought in a place where boxing matches are rare: Tierra del Fuego, where she knocked out Ana Davila Ferreira in two rounds.

Then came a rematch with Ashley. On her third world title try, Acuña lost to Ashley for the second time, this time by a ten-round unanimous decision, on 14 June.

On 22 August she and her friend Carmen Montiel met for the third time, and Acuña again beat Montiel on points, this time in six rounds. This victory set up the stage for Acuña's fourth world title try.

On 6 December, she and Panamanian Pinock Ortega finally got to meet, and Acuña became world champion when she knocked out Ortega in the sixth round for the vacant WIBA Super Bantamweight title.

On 26 May 2004, she made her first world championship defense, knocking out Daysi Padilla in the first round. Padilla, who had former world champion Ricardo Cardona at her corner, also required a short stay at a hospital.

On 11 September Acuña knocked out Ana Camilla Santos in the third round of a non-title bout.

On 22 January 2005, she knocked out Maria Elena Miranda in three rounds to win the WIBA's vacant world Featherweight title, at Formosa.

Marcela Acuña holds a record of 41 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw, with 18 knockout wins.

Politics

She is fourth on the Peronist list running for city council in Tres de Febrero Partido.[5]

Championships and accomplishments
  • 2013-2014 – WBO super bantamweight title (2 defenses)[6]
  • 2012 – WBC Silver super bantamweight title (1 defenses)[6]
  • 2012 – AOCA / Awakening Outstanding Contribution Award[7]
  • 2008-2010 - WBC super bantamweight title (4 defenses)[6]
  • 2006-2008 - WBA super bantamweight title (5 defenses)[6]
  • 2005 – WIBA featherweight title (1 defense)[6]
  • 2003 – WIBA super bantamweight title (1 defense)[6]
  • 2003 – Argentina (FAB) super bantamweight title[6]
  • 2002 – Argentina (FAB) featherweight title (1 defense)[6]

Professional boxing record
49 Wins (20 knockouts), 7 Losses (1 knockout), 2 Drawn[8]
Res. Record Opponent Type Round
Time		 Date Location Notes
Win46–6-1 Shannon O'Connell UD 10 2017-06-16 Ce.De.M. N° 2, Caseros, Buenos Aires, Argentina Defended IBF World female super bantamweight title
Win45–6-1 Yesica Patricia Marcos KO 10 2016-12-16 Parque Industrial, Moreno, Buenos Aires, Argentina Won vacant IBF World female super bantamweight title
Win44–6-1 Brenda Karen Carabajal UD 10 2016-09-09 Ce.De.M. N° 2, Caseros, Buenos Aires, Argentina Retain interim WBA World female featherweight title
Win43–6-1 Mayra Alejandra Gomez UD 10 2016-05-07 Estadio F.A.B., Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina Won interim WBA World female featherweight title
Win42–6-1 Edith Soledad Matthysse UD 10 2014-08-23 Sociedad Alemana de Gimnasia, Buenos Aires, Argentina Retained WBO female super bantamweight title
Win41–6-1 Estrella Valverde TKO 6 2014–03–28 Anfiteatro Municipal, Villa María, Córdoba, Argentina Retained WBO female super bantamweight title
Win40–6-1 Halanna Dos Santos UD 10 2013–10–25 Club Salto Uruguayo, Salto, Uruguay Won vacant WBO female super bantamweight title
Win39–6-1 Melissa Hernandez UD 10 2013–07–13 Club Defensores de Villa Luján, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
Win38–6-1 Edith Soledad Matthysse UD 10 2013–05–10 Auditorio Presidente Kirchner, Mercado Central, Tapiales, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Draw37–6-1 Yesica Marcos SD 10 2013–01–25 Teatro Griego Juan Pablo II, San Martín, Mendoza For WBA and WBO super bantamweight titles.
Loss37–6 Carolina Duer UD 10 2012–12–21 Club Universitario, La Plata, Buenos Aires
Win37–5 Betiana Viñas TD 9 (10) 2012–08–17 Club Caja Popular, San Miguel, Tucumán Retained WBC Silver super bantamweight title.
Win36–5 María Elena Villalobos UD 10 2012–05–19 Salón de los Bomberos Voluntarios, General Villegas, Buenos Aires Won vacant WBC Silver super bantamweight title.
Win35–5 Rosilette dos Santos TKO 10 (10), 1:19 2010–08–20 Estadio Polideportivo Cincuentenario, Formosa, Formosa Retained WBC super bantamweight title.
Win34–5 María Elena Villalobos UD 10 2010–04–10 Ce. De. M. No. 2, Caseros, Buenos Aires Retained WBC super bantamweight title.
Win33–5 Alicia Ashley MD 10 2009–08–20 Luna Park, Buenos Aires Retained WBC super bantamweight title.
Win32–5 Jackie Nava UD 10 2009–04–30 Luna Park, Buenos Aires Retained WBC super bantamweight title.
Win31–5 Alejandra Oliveras UD 10 2008–12–04 Luna Park, Buenos Aires Retained WBA and won WBC super bantamweight titles.
Win30–5 Paulina Cardona RTD 5 (8), 0:01 2008–10–10 Ce. De. M. No. 2, Caseros, Buenos Aires
Win29–5 Danielle Bouchard UD 10 2008–07–03 Luna Park, Buenos Aires Retained WBA super bantamweight title.
Win28–5 Anays Gutierrez Carrillo RTD 3 (10), 0:01 2008–05–15 Sociedad Española, San Luis, San Luis
Win27–5 Adriana Salles UD 8 2008–02–04 Conrad Hotel & Casino, Punta del Este, Maldonado
Win26–5 Claudia Lopez UD 8 2007–10–27 Ce. De. M. No. 2, Caseros, Buenos Aires
Win25–5 María del Carmen Potenza TD 6 (10) 2007–06–29 Club Sportivo America, Rosario, Santa Fe
Win24–5 Yazmin Rivas UD 10 2007–04–20 Andes Talleres Sport Club, Godoy Cruz, Mendoza Retained WBA super bantamweight title.
Win23–5 Maria del Carmen Potenza MD 10 2007–01–27 Conrad Hotel & Casino, Punta del Este, Maldonado
Win22–5 Maribel Santana RTD 2 (10), 0:40 2006–12–15 Ce. De. M. No. 2, Caseros, Buenos Aires Retained WBA super bantamweight title.
Win21–5 Paola Herrera TKO 1 (10) 2006–10–14 Luna Park, Buenos Aires Retained WBA super bantamweight title.
Win20–5 Anays Gutierrez Carrillo UD 10 2006–08–12 Ce. De. M. No. 2, Caseros, Buenos Aires Won vacant WBA super bantamweight title.
Loss19–5 Sharon Anyos UD 10 2005–10–22 Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland For vacant WBC featherweight title.
Win19–4 Yolis Franco UD 8 2005–06–24 Club Gimnasia y Esgrima, Ituzaingó, Buenos Aires
Win18–4 Nerys Rincon RTD 2 (10), 0:01 2005–05–14 Ce. De. M. No. 2, Caseros, Buenos Aires Retained WIBA featherweight title.
Win17–4 Maria Miranda TKO 3 (10), 1:37 2005–01–22 Club Centenario, Formosa, Formosa Won vacant WIBA featherweight title.
Win16–4 Miura Ferreira TKO 3 (4) 2004–09–11 Polideportivo Municipal Carlos Cerutti, Córdoba, Córdoba
Win15–4 Monica Sabino Barbosa TKO 4 (8) 2004–07–02 Club Caja Popular, San Miguel, Tucumán
Win14–4 Daysi Padilla TKO 1 (10), 0:43 2004–05–26 Luna Park, Buenos Aires Retained WIBA super bantamweight title.
Win13–4 Damaris Pinock Ortega TKO 6 (10), 1:42 2003–12–06 Luna Park, Buenos Aires Won vacant WIBA super bantamweight title.
Win12–4 María del Carmen Montiel UD 6 2003–08–22 Club Ciclista Juninense, Junín, Buenos Aires
Loss11–4 Alicia Ashley UD 10 2003–06–14 Estadio República de Venezuela, Bolívar, Buenos Aires For vacant WIBF super bantamweight title.
Win11–3 Miura Ferreira TKO 5 (6) 2003–05–10 Polideportivo Carlos Margalot, Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego
Win10–3 Lourdes Gonzalez TKO 2 (10) 2003–02–20 Estadio República de Venezuela, Bolívar, Buenos Aires Won vacant Argentine super bantamweight title.
Loss9–3 Alicia Ashley SD 10 2002–11–15 Orfeo Superdomo, Córdoba, Córdoba For vacant WIBF super bantamweight title.
Win9–2 Maria del Carmen Montiel UD 8 2002–06–29 Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz
Win8–2 Maria del Carmen Montiel UD 10 2002–03–01 Club Olimpia, Paraná, Entre Ríos Retained Argentine featherweight title.
Win7–2 Patricia Quirico KO 1 (10), 0:14 2002–01–19 Estadio F. A. B., Buenos Aires Won vacant Argentine featherweight title.
Win6–2 Ana dos Santos KO 2 (6), 1:52 2001–10–12 Estadio Centenario, Formosa, Formosa
Win5–2 Andrea Pereira Maciel KO 5 (6), 1:30 2001–09–21 Club Sportivo Ben Hur, Rafaela, Santa Fe
Win4–2 Yolis Marrugo Franco UD 6 2001–08–11 Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza, Mendoza
Win3–2 Andrea Pereira Maciel TKO 2 (4, 0:59 2001–06–30 Club Rivadavia, Necochea, Buenos Aires
Win2–2 Luz Sarabia UD 6 2001–06–02 Estadio Centenario, Formosa, Formosa
Win1–2 Jamillia Lawrence SD 4 2001–04–28 Estadio F. A. B., Buenos Aires
Loss0–2 Lucia Rijker KO 5 (10), 2:02 1998–09–25 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut For vacant IBO Light welterweight title.
Loss0–1 Christy Martin UD 10 1997–12–05 Pompano Beach Amphitheater, Pompano Beach, Florida

See also

References
  1. "The Ring Women's Ratings". The Ring. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  2. "BoxRec: Female super bantamweight ratings". boxrec.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  3. "BoxRec: Female P4P ratings". boxrec.com. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  4. "Marcela Acuña - Premio Konex: Diploma al Mérito 2010" (in Spanish).
  5. The Wall Street Journal
  6. "Marcela Eliana Acuña Awakening Profile". Awakeningfighters.com. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
  7. "Awakening Outstanding Contribution Award". Awakeningfighters.com. Retrieved 2016-02-10.
  8. "Marcela Acuña Professional boxing record". BoxRec.com.
Preceded by
Inaugural Champion		 WBA Super bantamweight Champion
August 12, 2006 – January 20, 2010		 Vacant
Title next held by
Lisa Brown
Preceded by
Alejandra Oliveras		 WBC Super bantamweight Champion
December 4, 2008 – 2010		 Vacant
Title next held by
Alicia Ashley
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