Soledad Vargas, a boxing champion from Mexico, took a break from her sport after giving birth to her third child. Now, she’s preparing for her comeback fight while juggling training sessions, breastfeeding, and family life. But Soledad is also fighting against femicide in Mexico. She writes the names of murdered women on her boxing garb. “I don't want to lose a single woman more,” she says.
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00:00 She's a boxing champion.
00:03 She's a mother to three children.
00:09 She's working hard on her comeback and is fighting femicide in her home country of Mexico.
00:18 I want equal rights in sports and in everyday life.
00:25 We women should be happy and free and we should be treated with more respect and love.
00:30 I don't want to lose one single woman more.
00:53 Soledad Vargas' last fight in the ring was two years ago.
00:57 After the birth of her third child, training for her comeback fight is getting increasingly tough.
01:03 I'm a normal person, a mother of three children, a boxer and a homemaker.
01:10 What can I say? I love a challenge.
01:14 I started boxing to get my father's attention.
01:20 It took several years before I had my first fight, about three or four years.
01:24 When I was about 14, I fought against a 19-year-old girl that was taller and heavier than me.
01:31 I cried because I felt like I had disappointed my father.
01:35 But he hugged me and told me that it was just the way it is and I should keep trying.
01:43 It was wonderful for me to see that he'd come to my fights and encourage me.
01:48 With her father's approval and backing, Soledad started making her way in boxing,
01:52 a sport that is mainly practiced by men in Mexico.
01:56 Soon she was Mexican champion.
01:59 Later she even competed in two world championship bouts.
02:03 Boxing became her life's mission.
02:06 Hopefully I won't have to cry.
02:10 In the ring I can just be myself.
02:15 I forget everything and everyone.
02:18 That's the moment in which it's only me, Soledad, in the ring, enjoying it.
02:24 When I can't beat a punching bag or go training, I feel angry and empty.
02:32 That's because I haven't used this time for myself and haven't enjoyed my own world.
02:42 I'm not going to cry.
02:45 I'm going to cry.
02:48 There are just a few days left until the fight.
02:51 Soledad trains at every opportunity.
02:54 Not easy when you have a small child to look after.
02:58 It was like a bucket of cold water was poured over me.
03:03 I couldn't believe it.
03:06 I was so happy.
03:10 I couldn't believe it.
03:12 I couldn't imagine being pregnant again.
03:15 I only stopped training in the sixth or seventh month of it because my legs gave out then.
03:21 The baby was too heavy.
03:24 My plan was to recover for a month after the birth and then go back to the gym.
03:29 But the reality was different.
03:32 It wasn't easy for my daughter to adjust to my schedule.
03:37 She still hasn't gotten used to me training and feeding her at specific times.
03:41 So now I train, drink some water, clean myself and feed her.
03:46 At the beginning I was frustrated because I wanted her to fall asleep quickly.
03:51 But I learned to be patient, to breathe and transfer my calm onto her,
03:55 so that she calms down and I can go back to training.
03:59 I have a guilty conscience because I'm not with her then, but I need time for myself too,
04:05 to reward myself for all the hard work.
04:07 When I enter the ring it's pure adrenaline, nerves and fear.
04:13 But as soon as the gong goes, it's all about having fun,
04:17 being happy in the ring and knowing that I will never give up.
04:20 That's what I want to teach my kids.
04:23 It's two days before her bout.
04:34 Soledad picks up the fighting outfit she designed herself.
04:37 Even before her hiatus, she used her platform to draw awareness
04:42 to one of the biggest issues in her homeland of Mexico, violence against women.
04:47 I dedicate this fight to all women who were killed or raped.
04:55 This fight and my outfit are dedicated to them.
05:00 It's a form of protest and my way to oppose so much violence against women.
05:04 In April 2021, Soledad made a purple outfit adorned with the names of 70 women
05:12 who were murdered in Michoacán, causing headlines in the Mexican media.
05:17 At her comeback fight, she wants to raise awareness again.
05:21 This fight is especially dedicated to Emilia.
05:29 Who was indiscriminately murdered by ruthless individuals.
05:34 On the 5th of September 2022, a young girl named Emilia
05:42 was kidnapped while on her way to school with her mother.
05:45 For seven months, her family searched for her and organized protests
05:49 hoping to find Emilia alive. But they didn't.
05:53 In April 2023, her remains were found on a hill in Soledad's hometown, Apatzingán.
05:59 Now that I have my daughter, I don't like to even think about
06:04 having to go through something like that.
06:06 The pain Emilia's mother is going through is unimaginable.
06:10 Violence against women starts at home, in the way we raise our children
06:15 and teach them how to treat women.
06:17 Little baby Tonantzin has woken up.
06:21 She now needs the full attention and protection of her mother.
06:23 Because the case of Emilia is only one of many femicides
06:27 that happen every day in Mexico.
06:29 About 10 women are killed daily.
06:32 To date, more than 28,000 women, girls and teenagers have disappeared.
06:37 I want equal rights in sports and in everyday life.
06:42 We women should be happy and free and we should be treated with more respect and love.
06:47 I don't want to lose one single woman more.
06:50 Back in the gym, it's time for one last training session ahead of the fight.
06:53 Omar Gánica and Soledad met through boxing.
06:57 For 11 years, he has been training and managing Soledad.
07:01 He's also her husband.
07:03 After making the leap into professional boxing,
07:08 we knocked on many doors, because it's very hard for women in this business.
07:12 We went to the gym, we trained, we got a lot of training.
07:17 It's very hard for women in this business.
07:19 We went to Mexico City and got the opportunity to participate in a tournament there.
07:24 The success helped Soledad break through.
07:28 Then we competed in two tournaments here in Michoacán.
07:32 At one, she became national champion,
07:35 and shortly after that, she qualified for the international level.
07:38 That led us to two world championship fights in the Czech Republic and in Canada.
07:44 The first fight ended in a draw, and to be honest, we were very unhappy with the result.
07:49 She should actually be the world champion, because she deserved it, because she won the fight.
07:54 But it's about taking the positives out of everything.
07:57 Soledad has all it takes to win, but the most important thing,
08:01 I always ask this of her, is to enjoy it to the fullest, because she loves boxing.
08:05 It's her passion.
08:07 But for Soledad, this fight is a chance to bring her own dreams to the forefront again.
08:14 In the ring, I fight against myself, not against my opponent.
08:18 I want to prove to myself that I can come back stronger after the pregnancy,
08:24 with more energy and hunger, and pursue my goal to continue on this path.
08:30 I want to box for three more years.
08:34 I have to give everything for that now.
08:38 I want to bring the world title to Michoacán and be the first world champion from here.
08:43 We'll get this fight, win it, and return to the top of the world.
08:49 The big day is here.
09:05 It's time for her big bout.
09:07 Dozens of boxers are focused as they prepare for their fights.
09:11 In the background, Soledad completely silent, just like her daughter Tonantzin.
09:17 In her mind, Soledad goes through the movements she has practiced.
09:21 Then the announcer interrupts the music and the show begins with the first men's fight.
09:27 Welcome to the legend, the boxing king, Julio César Chávez!
09:35 Welcome to the legend, the boxing king, Julio César Chávez!
09:55 Mexico's biggest boxing star enters the arena.
09:59 Away from the spotlight, Soledad's father has taken a seat.
10:04 Of course I'm nervous, like any father would be in my situation.
10:08 But I'm also proud.
10:10 I hope she can show what she's got today.
10:13 Her opponent is from home, from Tierra Caliente,
10:20 María Sol Burga!
10:27 María Sol Burga!
10:42 Both boxers start cautiously, waiting to spot the other's strategy.
10:53 Soledad soon has the upper hand as she finds her rhythm first.
10:57 With her tough jabs, she aims to keep her rival at a distance.
11:00 But her right hand is the real weapon.
11:03 With skill and dexterity, she pushes her opponent up against the ropes.
11:10 Soledad shows off great technique and clean combos.
11:14 It's down to the final round.
11:22 Soledad has a healthy lead on points.
11:24 She doesn't have to do much more,
11:26 but a knockout always leaves a lasting impression on the crowd.
11:30 Soledad tries to follow the advice.
11:39 And just seconds before the bell tolls, she lands the final blow.
11:43 As the bell rings, Soledad's opponent hasn't been knocked down,
11:47 but it's crystal clear who won the fight.
11:50 And the judges are giving the three of them, 60-54,
11:55 unanimous decision to win this match.
11:58 By unanimous decision, María Soledad Burga!
12:03 I am very happy and feel the support of my children and family.
12:13 We are a team. Together we are invincible.
12:17 I dedicate this win to Emilia and to all women who are still missing.
12:22 I dedicate this win to Emilia and to all women who are still missing.
12:26 still missing.
12:28 (dramatic music)