Lilly Rodriguez: Much More than a Great Fighter – by Helga Risoy

My thoughts go back 15 years in time when I first set my feet on American soil. I was excited and looked forward to a career as a professional boxer. Little did I know that there was no women’s boxing going on at the time. The few women boxers from the 70’s and 80’s had retired. I called all the athletic commissioners in all the states in the country to research. I found two female boxers. One in Florida called Christy (Martin) that back then used her maiden name, but at the time was two weight classes lower than I was. The other women boxer I found was Chris Kreuz in Chicago, she was also in a lighter weight class (these two ended up fighting each other years later in Las Vegas).

Back in Norway where I am from,  I remembering watching tapes of Benny the Jet and his sister Lilly Rodriguez. She was the first women boxer I ever saw, and I remember she was wearing a green T-shirt. I don’t remember who she was fighting, but she was something else, WOW! I was so impressed, and this inspired me even more to continuing my own boxing.

When I arrived in LA, I knew I had to look up their gym. I did not know anyone in the US and I went to different boxing gyms in LA by myself, and people just looked at me like I was crazy that wanted to box, and I did not feel welcome as a woman. I finally found the “JetCenter” in Van Nuys and met my heroes Benny Urquidez and his sister Lilly Rodriguez. They all welcomed me with open arms, and I felt at home right away. I moved to an apartment one block from the gym and spent hours there every day. I will forever remember that first year I spent there in the US and the great gym team I meet like Hershel Jacobs (Jake) my trainer who “adopted” me, Blinky Rodriguez, Thunderwolf, Stan Ward and I sparred with Pete “Sugarfoot” Cunningham, big Alex, O’Kane and many, many more. Because of Lilly’s brothers international fame their gym was always packed with top fighter from the whole world. Lilly always had good advises to give and was very helpful in so many ways.

Last week I met with my friend and former trainer Emanuel Steward, and he started to talk about women boxing and I felt tears come down my cheek. I told him about Lilly and how she had inspired me and so many others fighters from all over the world, and that she will always be my favorite nr.1 woman boxer. In your lifetime there is a few people that will stick to your memory “forever”. Lilly is one I will always remember. Not only because she was a great fighter, but because the goodness of her “heart” and her willingness to help and care for others that needed her help. She had so much knowledge and so much to give.

It is not always about what we can achieve for us self in this world such as, success, material things, fame, and money. Sometimes God have a different plan for us and put us in a position that we might do greater things with helping others. In my heart I believe Lilly Rodriguez was one of these special people and she did it all to the fullest. I wish for a peaceful journey to whatever plans our lord has for her next. THANKS LILLY!!!  Helga Risoy

Rodriguez died on January 13, 2007,   at UCLA Medical Center of complications following surgery.   She was one of the first women to fight on the all-women boxing card in California on July 13, 1979. Her skill and determination would eventually earn her the women’s featherweight championship. She was #2 World Featherweight Division 1981-1983 and #3 World Featherweight Division 1984. Following her retirement from the ring, she operated the Heart of Champions gym with her husband, former men’s kickboxing champion William “Blinky” Rodriguez, and, in 2003, was inducted into the MartialArtsHistoryMuseum’s Hall of Fame. She was 59. [Top photo/Facebook] 

Lucia Rijker wrote the following to WBAN:    The ceremony last night in the Church on Sherman way in Van Nuys for Lily Rodriquez was in my experience the most beautiful ceremony I’ve ever attended. People showed how loved Llily is/was and the big impact she has had on the life’s of people, as a mother, wife, mentor, friend, teacher, warrior pioneer Martial Artist and as a member of the community. She was a beautiful human being.    The Church was filled with thousands of people and the ceremony was inspirational empowering, touching, spiritual and value creating.  Tears rolled down my eyes when Lily’s Daughter and son’s spoke,  wow….The emotions, the pain, the faith, the respect, that vibrated  through the room, was so palpable it deeply touched my heart.   Lily Urquidez Rodriquez was a Heroine, a mother Teresa, a pioneer  and a role model for many, armed with a Sword of faith!  (in her  higher power God and Jesus)  We will miss her.  With Love and respect – Lucia Rijker