History Repeats Itself….Lucia Rijker vs. Marcela Acuna – by Sue TL Fox

The fight between Lucia Rijker and Marcela Acuna had a very familiar ring to it, and I not talking about a boxing ring.  Just when I thought that women boxing was making headway—in this fight and Acuna’s last fight with Martin,  I  see some similarities that emulate the the 70’s.  [photo: by Mary Ann Owen]

When have you seen a top male contender, pound for pound “one of the best”, fight an opponent, that has never had one professional boxing match?  But then see the “green horn” lose that bout, and immediately get matched up with an opponent that is known to be the “best of the best”?

Well, that’s what happened in women’s boxing when Marcela Acuna, first fighting her debut against Christy Martin and losing that bout. Then being  thrown into the fire pit with her next opponent, Lucia Rijker, that most people would agree would wipe Martin off the canvas. She was KO’d in the 5th round.

Acuna didn’t have a chance.  Who is the “great one” that decided to take such a young and talented fighter as Acuna, and stack the odds  against her early  in her career.  People say, well, Acuna was a kickboxer who was 17-1-1 in Argentina.  Well, wake up folks, this is boxing. Boxing with the very best competition that the sport has to offer.

I remember all too well, when my newly found manager booked me with the very best fighter in the 70’s for my debut. The only difference is I didn’t know who I was being matched up against.  I can still recall how I kept trying to keep from reverting back to my karate moves.  I had to concentrate,  to just keep from kicking, as my opponent drilled me into the ropes.

Acuna, in the 90’s has as much in common with me when I fought in the 70’s, in that we both started our early boxing careers fighting the very best.   Her nemesis was Martin and Rijker, mine was Theresa Kibby.

So where does Acuna go from here?  I have no doubt that she will possess and rightfully earn a World title down the road.  But,  the cards have been stacked against her. What will she do now, when she rematches with them? How many opponents did she pass up that could have helped  season her enough to compete with Martin or Rijker.  It’s like she was dealt four aces, and exposed her hand before placing a bet. There would have been many opponents that she could have been matched up against, if she had played her hand more carefully.

Acuna now possesses a 0-2 record.  I also began my career with a 0-2 record.  It’s not a good feeling.   Especially when in actuality, it’s not bad if people know WHO you fought. But down the road, when it is all forgotten, and believe me I now know that we can ALL be forgotten. The fighter who decides to start a boxing career with fighting the best, will more than likely have deep regrets later down the road.

I wonder how she will feel when stepping into the ring her third time out. I remember what thoughts ran through my mind.  I remember thinking that I  was going to quit, if I experienced one more loss.  My ego could not take a 0-3 record. They will now have to inevitably match Acuna with someone that they know she can defeat—-just to initiate damage control they have already done to her fighting career.