With Women’s Boxing finally getting its due with its first ever inclusion in the Olympic Boxing Programme for 2012 in London, and with it’s strong and increasing popularity throughout the world in many countries other than the USA, 3-time Women’s boxing world champion Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton, who was the highest ranked Filipina-American in the history of USA Boxing in the Amateurs, stands in the forefront of the sport’s push for mainstream significance.
Julaton has flipped the script with how she has gone about her professional boxing career. Instead of the common practice of staying home fighting in her own backyard and enjoying “home court advantage”, Julaton has traveled to different continents representing her country and took on the responsibility and pressure that comes with being a spokesperson and advocate for Women’s Boxing. View slideshow: Ana Julaton through the years
Julaton has defended her belts in countries such as Canada, Mexico and Argentina, in brutal fights against the likes of Lisa Brown, Maria Villalobos, and Yesica Marcos, earning the respect and admiration at her every stop. The “Filipina Fighting Pride” received a nice standing ovation from Mexican boxing fans in Kanasin, Yucatan, Mexico after her most recent victory, a dominating 1st-round TKO victory against last minute replacement Abigail Ramos.
Ana Julaton newspaper headline in Mexico Photo credit: Team Julaton
Video: Ana Julaton first interview back from Mexico after Abigail Ramos fight (8/5/12)
In the absence of true female boxing superstars in the US in recent years, and in the Philippines altogether, Julaton has been a consistent force who has labored through adversity, and the lack of support for her sport.
South American countries like Argentina and Peru have stars such as WBA 130 Champ Kina Malpartida (known as the Peruvian Pacquiao for her popularity), Argentine fighters WBC Champion Marcela Acuna, WBO Champion Yesica Marcos, and WBC 108 Champion Yesica Bopp. Europe has Germany-based Ina Menzer, Susi Kentikian and Ramona Kuehne, all of whom are champions in their own right, and Mexico, which is at the top of the heap in the Women’s Boxing World, has 3 of the most recognizable figures in Mexican Boxing (Men included) in WBC 115 lbs. champion Ana Maria Torres (known as their female Barrera), Mariana “La Barby” Juarez, who is the current 112 lbs. WBC Champion and the August cover girl and centerfold of Playboy Mexico, and probably the most Popular Mexican Female Boxer of All time in Jackie “Princess Azteca” Nava who has been seen sparring with Erik Morales and her belts carried in the ring for her fights by Antonio Margarito and other former Mexican champions. All of these women enjoy the support of their home country with most of their fights held in their own backyard.
But despite her hardships, the blueprint laid down for her by promoter Allan Tremblay has worked. Julaton has endured the lack of support in the US and the Philippines for Women’s Boxing by taking on the role of “The Road Warrior”and has carved her name among the sport’s most respected fighters.
But Julaton will not have to keep on fighting away from home any longer. Plans for Julaton’s dream title fight in the Philippines are finally nearing completion; a reward she truly deserves for all those years of sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears. Her story is far from over, and her popularity only continues to rise through the ups and downs of her career. She may have taken the long and harder road, but Julaton, the proud Filipina, has stood the test of time and has quietly become one of the true Global Icons for Women’s Boxing.
