Tijuana’s Crown Jewel: How Jackie “La Princesa Azteca” Nava Made History on February 28, 2005

There are nights in boxing that encompass moments when heart, timing, and destiny collide to etch a fighter’s name into the sport’s history. For Jackie “La Princesa Azteca” Nava, that night came on February 28, 2005, at the Hipódromo de Agua Caliente in Tijuana, Mexico, when she stopped Martha Leticia Arevalo in the eighth round to capture the WBA Female Bantamweight World Title. It was the first world title of her career and a defining moment in women’s boxing.

At 24 years old, Nava had already laid the foundation of a remarkable ascent. Born April 11, 1980 in Tijuana, she brought to boxing athletic talent and a multifaceted strength forged through other combat and athletic disciplines early in life. Before ever donning gloves professionally in 2001, she had dabbled in kickboxing and martial arts which helped shape her confidence and resolve.

Her professional debut in May of 2001 was a four‑round unanimous decision win in Honolulu, Hawaii over Vicki Cozy. By 2004 she had already captured the Mexican National Super Bantamweight Title and was knocking on the door of world contention. But belts won at home are one thing; world titles are quite another.

The WBA Female Bantamweight Championship

On February 28, 2005 in Tijuana, Nava faced Martha Leticia Arevalo of Guadalajara for the vacant WBA Female Bantamweight belt. Arevalo took the fight on short notice, and entered as a determined challenger but was clearly facing a more seasoned and technically polished opponent. From the opening rounds, Nava’s boxing intelligence was on display with sharp jabs, crisp combinations, and consistent pressure that belied her relative youth.

By the eighth round Nava’s combination work had broken down Arevalo’s guard and sapped her defenses. At 0:59 of Round 8, the referee stopped the fight, and the “Aztec Princess” was crowned world champion. Although Arevalo suffered a defeat, she embodied the courage and competitive spirit that define the deep, often underappreciated fabric of women’s boxing.

For Nava, the victory was validation of every hour in the gym, every sacrifice made to rise through a sport that, at the time, still struggled for equal billing and recognition for women. As her career unfolded, she would go on to become a multi‑weight world champion, defend titles repeatedly, and become a symbol of tenacity and excellence in women’s boxing.

Jackie Nava on Fear

Over the years, Nava has been generous with her reflections on fear, dedication, and the mindset required to succeed at the highest level. In motivational talks and interviews reflecting on her life and career, she has spoken about fear not as an enemy but as a teacher: “Fear is a voice, not a sentence. It’s the alarm that tells you what’s important to you. Instead of running from it, I learned to use it as my strictest trainer, pushing me to prepare more, to be stronger, and to take nothing for granted.”

The Bigger Picture

Nava’s triumph in 2005 was emblematic of a shifting landscape in women’s sport. Female fighters slowly began gaining more popularity and even headlining cards, eroding outdated assumptions about a woman’s place in the sweet science. For example, on the same card, Yazmín Rivas captured the inaugural WBA female super flyweight title.

In the years that followed, Nava continued to be a defining figure, adding titles in multiple weight classes and eventually retiring  with a record of 40-4-4 and as one of the most accomplished female fighters in Mexican boxing history. She continues to influence women’s boxing through her gym, youth programs, and motivational outreach.

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