Sheila Martínez | Boxer: “My next goal is the Paris Games”

Sheila Martínez already has her third European featherweight champion belt at home. The boxer from Massanassa beat the French Anaelle Angerville. Yesterday I returned to training with one goal in mind: the Olympics.

How was the fight against Anaelle Angerville?

It was a difficult rival, but I knew at all times the work I had to do. I went into the ring very focused, with confidence and I am very happy with the result. I didn’t have much time to specifically prepare for the fight since just two weeks before, my opponent was changed, but I knew I had to manage my distance at all times. My rival was quite strong and warlike.

He celebrated the victory by waving a flag of the Levante OUT. You went from soccer to boxing. Despite the boom that women’s football is acquiring, do you think it was a right decision?

I always like to remember my Levante UD, it was one of my best times. I don’t regret having left football and choosing to dedicate myself to boxing. I make all decisions with reason. I knew that I was good at football but even better at boxing, so it was the right decision.

His career has been brilliant in the last year in which he has won the European Championship three times, defending the title on two occasions.

The truth is that in one year having won the European Championship three times is something that very few people have achieved and I am proud. It gives me strength to continue improving.

Do you see yourself in Paris 2024?

Yes, now I am preparing for the Pre-Olympic which is already on the 27th of this month in Italy. So I barely had time to savor last Saturday’s victory. Today (yesterday) I returned to training. I am going to fight with the Spanish team to qualify for the Paris Games, which is something that makes me very excited. Now I have two goals, the most immediate is to qualify for the Games and then fight for the title of world champion.

Valencian boxing has already secured a representative in Paris, with José Quiles from Elche. What would it mean to also have a female representative?

It would be brutal for boxing in the Valencian Community to have two representatives in the Olympic Games.

Do you notice that women’s boxing is beginning to be given more relevance?

The truth is that little by little women’s boxing is gaining momentum, there are more and more girls fighting and doing very well. I feel proud to serve as a reference and that young girls who are starting out see themselves reflected in me.

Boxing has stopped being a frowned upon sport and has become fashionable as an option to achieve good physical shape regardless of its competitive aspect.

It’s very positive. Many people associate boxing with hitting each other but that is not the case. It is a sport that helps you a lot to be physically super well and also mentally because the mental aspect is greatly enhanced.

What is your strong point?

My strong point is my mentality. I never give up.

What do you say to girls who want to be boxers?

If you have a dream, pursue it. When I started in the world of boxing, I had a dream but many people told me that I wouldn’t achieve it, that it was very difficult. I would give them that advice, to fight for it and not be influenced by what other people tell you.

Three European champion belts… when will the world champion belt?

It’s another of my goals. The most likely thing is that I will get a fight for an interim world title. In the World Council there are five belts that belong to as many organizations. Currently there is a boxer, Amanda Serrano, who has these five titles in her possession. But now, she is going to vacate the belts which will immediately go to the interim world champions. To get that world title, I will have to fight the interim champion.

What is hardest for you?

Give the weight on the scale. I compete at -57 kg. which means losing around 11 kg before a big fight. To do this I have to spend more than a month eating very little and on top of that continue training. Together with my team we are considering going up to -59kg.

What is a normal day like?

I get up, go to train at 8:00 a.m. for 1 or 2 hours, then go to work and then train again for 2 or three hours. Maintenance work at a campsite.

Does boxing provide a living?

My dream would be to be able to dedicate myself only to boxing, working is complicated, there are days when you can’t take it anymore. I don’t have any financial help. If I get a medal in the Games I hope to get a scholarship. As a boxing professional I earn a pittance, people think we earn a lot but that is not my case.

Who is the title dedicated to?

I dedicate it to myself, I have fought a lot, I have gone through very bad times that I thought I would not get out of and I have always promised myself that I was not going to give up.

2024-01-30 03:00:32
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