Brianda Tamara Cruz is learning to balance things, both literally and figuratively.
Cruz, who is trained by Marvin Somodio, fights Susana Bolanos Lopez in a six-round welterweight bout Saturday at the Fox Theater in Pomona, California.
Now 2-0, Cruz is a 2020 Mexican Olympian who lost in the first round of the Tokyo games to future titleholder and Olympic bronze medalist Oshae Jones. Cruz turned pro last year and has found a home working with Somodio and Ernie Zavala.
“They have taught me how to keep my balance,” Cruz told BoxingScene via translator. “I am learning to sit down [on my punches] and hurt my opponents.”
Somodio works as an assistant with featherweight stand-out Iyana “Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco, who is trained by her mother, Gloria Alvarado. So, working with women’s fighters is not foreign to him. Somodio explained the evolution for Cruz, as he is helping add something to her approach, while moving away from the amateur style of volume.
“Being a pro, you need more power on your punches,” Somodio said. “You need to balance it, because you can’t lose that [her amateur style], too, because you might need it also.”
Somodio explained that it is important to have an exciting style as a professional displaying power, but also that you can’t rely solely on that. Somodio is hoping to incorporate professional technique while not losing elements of her amateur style that made her an Olympian.
“If you can’t beat your opponent with power, you have to use your speed,” Somodio added. “Use your movement, use your footwork.”
Cruz, a 26-year-old from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, has relocated to Los Angeles. This will be the second opponent in a row she has faced with an undefeated record. Her opponent, Lopez, mirrors her record at 2-0, and hails from San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Cruz referenced that facing the 24-year-old Lopez will be a good fight, because when two Mexican fighters enter the ring, it often results in a war.
“I want to win this fight, stay undefeated, and show the world I can be a champion,” Cruz said. “I have never been with a team as good as them. They believe in me, and I feel secure, and have learned a lot.”
