Española boxer Monica Lovato is returning to action for the first time since Feb. 29, 2008, but she’ll be stepping into a cage instead of a ring.
Lovato, 31, is scheduled to fight in her first mixed martial arts bout Jan. 30 at the Willie Estrada Civic Center in Alamogordo. Lovato, who holds the International Boxing Association’s bantamweight title and the North American Boxing Federation’s superflyweight title, said that this will be her final year of competition.
“I always wanted to try (mixed martial arts) at least once,” Lovato said. “I’m getting ready to hang up the gloves, and I want to try everything.”
She plans to finish her bachelor’s degree in exercise science and concentrate on training boxer Antonio “Pone” Martinez, also of Española. Martinez, 22, is a junior welterweight.
“I want to be able to give him 100 percent,” she said.
Lovato lives and trains in Albuquerque, where she is pursuing her degree at the University of New Mexico. She is being trained by Arlene Sanchez, owner of FIT-NHB ((Fighters in Training/No Holds Barred) in Albuquerque.
Mixed martial arts fighters may use a variety of techniques, including kicking, punching, wrestling and JuJitsu. Bouts usually last three rounds, with the winner decided by a panel of judges. Fighters can “tap out” when they are caught in a hold they can’t escape, or the referee may stop the fight and declare a fighter the winner if it is determined that it would be dangerous and a threat to a fighter’s safety if the bout continues. A fighter can win by a knockout if his opponent is unconscious.
“I’m sore and tired from all this training,” Lovato said. “It’s intense.”
Lovato said she still loves boxing, but mixed martial arts fights allow her to expand her fighting repertoire. Mixed martial arts competitors usually favor a certain style. Those trained in boxing favor a standup style, while those who concentrate on wrestling and JuJitsu prefer to fight on the ground.
“Obviously, my dominant style is standup,” Lovato said. “If it goes to the ground, I have to be prepared for that.”
Because she will be using more than just her hands, Lovato has been training herself to use other parts of her body.
“It’s legs, knees, elbows — I have bruises all over,” Lovato said. “I like to challenge myself and challenge my body.”
Lovato began her boxing career in 2004 and has a 12-1-0 record as a professional boxer. She had taught a boxing class for the Recreation Department in Española, where she put together a team of young boxers who traveled to competitions throughout New Mexico.
“It would be great to finish my career with a fight in my hometown and make it happen for our Valley,” Lovato said. “I’d like to get my team back, and my dream is a new community center.”
Tickets for the Jan. 30 event, which is billed as “Desert Xtreme” with 13 bouts scheduled are available from FIT-NHB and can be obtained by calling 710-5830, according to Lovato. The doors will open at 6 p.m.