First Women’s Bantamweight World Championship – 15 rounds

Darlina Valdez, of Santa Fe, was in the women’s first bantamweight world championship before more than 1,000 screaming fans in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She fought a 15-round (three minute rounds) battle and won a unanimous decision over Holly McDaniel of Muncie, Indiana. Apparently the fight was a crowd pleaser, and it was reported that the crown “roared with delight” at the performance of the two women. McDaniel, a high school beauty contest winner and mother of a three-year-old.  She got her nose broken in the 11th round, but continued bravely to the finish. The rules at the time in 1983 for fighting a championship fight,  was the same as men’s, 15 rounds for championship fights and eight-ounce gloves. Chest and abdomen protectors were optional and at the time,   only about 50 percent of the women wore them.

Darlina pleases crowd  in boxing win – The Albuquerque Tribune
 Saturday, October 22, 1983

Viva Darlina! Viva Darlina!

The noisy partisan crowd of more than 1,000 paid tribute to Darlina Valdez’s stamina and boxing technique Friday, and shouted her name as women’s pro boxing was introduced to Civic Auditorium.

The tiny women boxers vindicated the sour taste that Jerry Quarry left in the mouths of boxing aficionados in his ring comeback Aug. 31 when he KO’d Vic Guerra of Omaha, Neb. In 21 seconds of the first round.

And the ones who missed the crowning of “Darling Darlina” of Sante Fe as the world women’s bantamweight champion will get another chance to see the pert and vivacious boxer in action on Dec. 2.

That’s when Vern Stevenson (also promoter) of Fresno, the director of the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA), plans to send top talent here for another women’s boxing card to Promoter Joe Louis Murphy.

It’s a sure bet that “Darling Darlina,” as the fans nicknamed their new sports heroine, will be on the Dec. 2 card even though the main attraction that night will be Canadian Rene Browning, the No. 1 world’ lightweight Star, who will face either, Debra Wright or Yvonne Buckley of New York.

Valdez proving to many doubting boxing aficionados that there’s a legitimate place for women in the broken bleak sport earned a unanimous verdict over Holly McDaniel of Muncie, Ind. In the FIRST 15-ROUND MATCH (THREE MINUTE ROUNDS) in the history of women’s boxing.

Valdez (4-1) nursed bruises under both eyes, but showed no visible signs of exhaustion as she reviewed her biggest war ever.

Referee Larry Chavez scored it 149-141; judge Walter Brown Jr. 137-133; and judge Hugh Bishop showed it 149-143 The Tribune’s scorecard was 148-143.

“I just concentrated on keeping my jab in her face and followed up with left-right combinations, said Valdez. “I will be better prepared when I face her again.”

McDaniel, with a deep purple welt under her left eye, wasn’t discouraged in losing her first of six fights. “I will meet her again for the title. She’s a great champion,” McDaniel said. “She was more aggressive than I was.”

The supporting(undercard) card was outstanding as Harold Romero and Aturo Martinez of San Antonio fought to a draw in the 4-round semifinal while Charlie Gallegos and Fermin Garcia of Albuquerque won the other two bouts.