Tijuana’s Kenia “La Gema” Enriquez Returns to the Ring

During the last two decades Mexico has flaunted some of the best female prizefighters in the world with most residing in Mexico City. But lately, the border city of Tijuana has unraveled several sparkling fighters of its own.

One of those seemingly hidden jewels is Kenia “La Gema” Enriquez a light flyweight whose demeanor suggest more of a shy schoolgirl than a pinpoint surgeon of destruction.

Enriquez (17-1, 8 Kos) returns to the boxing ring to face Guadalupe Martinez (4-6) in a six round light flyweight clash on Friday March 10, in her hometown of Tijuana, Mexico at the Grand Hotel. The fight will not be televised but marks her return to the ring after an eight month absence.

“I feel very good, and I’m very happy to return to the ring,” said Enriquez, 23, a former WBO flyweight world titlist. “I’m grateful to my promoter Bobby DePhilippis and all my team.”

The last time Enriquez fought was in July against Brenda Ramos who had eight months earlier lost to Kenia Enriquez’s younger sister Tania Enriquez. Both sisters are loaded with talent and work together daily.

Before defeating Ramos, Kenia Enriquez had one of her greatest moments on the under card of Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin’s middleweight world championship defense. The fight took place at the Inglewood Forum in the Los Angeles area. More than 17,000 attended the fight card. That night Enriquez defeated San Diego’s talented Amaris Quintana.

But minor health problems arose and Enriquez could not enter the boxing ring for more than eight months.

Now she’s healthy and raring to return to the ring wars. It’s a place where she is comfortable and where she reigns as the heir to the throne as Tijuana’s best female prizefighter. Only Jackie Nava has more clout and fame.

But when Nava retires a new queen will emerge and that can easily be Enriquez. First she faces an opponent from Tijuana’s rival city in boxing- Mexico City.

“I will face Guadalupe “La Maravilla” Martinez, I do not know her but I know that she comes from the Mexico City and that is why I come with good physical condition and that I’m going to throw blows from the first round,” said Enriquez whose lone loss was to world champion Melissa McMorrow by split decision in 2015. “Then this fight will be who has more desire to win, more heart and I assure it will be me. This year I want to be world champion, I want the green belt and gold.”

Enriquez has that rare ability to win by knockout early or late in a fight. Combined with her exceptional boxing skills and speed her journey to win world titles in the light flyweight and other weight divisions is within reach.

A female civil war takes place on Friday between Tijuana and Mexico City. Enriquez versus Martinez promises to be another jewel of a fight.