Lilian “Tatiana” Almaraz says, “Look at who she has fought, not her record.”
Almaraz faces a former sparring partner, Iris Contreras, on Saturday at the Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln, California. The bout will be the first six-round fight of her career and takes place in the bantamweight division.
Almaraz is 1-4 as a pro. Her lone win came in October against Qianyue “Vickie” Zhao. Now, Almaraz, 37, is looking to rewrite what is possible in an ever-changing boxing landscape.
“I want to show that I can start 0-4 and get to a title fight or title eliminator,” Contreras said. “I have been boxing for a long time, and I am only getting better.”
Almaraz of Pittsburg, California, was unable to get sanctioned for a six-round bout before her last win because she hadn’t yet won a fight. Almaraz trains with Jason Harrison, a trainer who trains boxers and mixed martial arts fighters. Almaraz started her career in Georgia, away from her team in California, but upon going 0-2 moved back. The team made a pact to take on challenges and not build a record; now they are looking to make that approach pay off.
“We knew at her age it would be an uphill battle,” Harrison said. “We have taken an approach similar to UFC fighters; taking hard fights to gain experience and build a fanbase.”
Contreras, 4-0, is an interesting figure who turned pro defeating former titleholder Shurretta Metcalf via split decision. She would then fight Rebecca Light, who was competing in her 50s. They would have two fights, both of which Contreras won. Then she would have a hiatus from the sport until she returned in 2024 to defeat Maribel Guerrero via a unanimous decision. Oh, and before her upcoming fight with Almaraz, the two had sparred for nearly a decade.
“It is nice going into a fight and knowing what my opponent is going to bring,” Almaraz said. “It takes away from the anxiety you get wondering about your opponent.”
Harrison credits the independent investments the team around her has made, including investing in a strength and conditioning coach and a sport psychologist.
“Before my last fight, I wondered if I should be doing this,” Almaraz said. “Working with my team over the past year, I have eased any doubts and feel stronger than ever.”
“As a team at Studio 925, we decided to make this work for Tati,” Harrison said. “Boxing is often a Division I player with Division III facilities. We wanted to change that for her.”
Almaraz also finds motivation in the upswing in women’s boxing. Seeing Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano headline a card on Netflix in July served as motivation. She hopes to one day fight on a stage like that.
“That fight showed me it is possible to be a woman and compete at such a high level in the sport,” Almaraz said. “I hope that winning a fight like this could get me on a stage like that, even if I was the opening bout, it would be something considering where I started my pro career.”