Ava Knight in Mexico

By David A. Avila

Oakland’s Ava “Lady of Boxing” Knight is eager to win a world title and doesn’t care where she has to travel to get it.

Knight (6-1-3, 3 KOs) flies to Colima, Mexico to vie for IBF flyweight world champion Arely Mucino’s (14-0-1, 8 KOs) title. The fight will be televised in Mexico but not in the U.S.

Although Knight’s only loss occurred in Mexico, it doesn’t prevent her from seeking redemption in the heart of the lion’s den. She has plans to thwart any bad decision and isn’t shy about discussing it.

“My last experience in Mexico taught me a lot. Mexicans love their boxers, and honestly I think everyone who backs them will do anything to make them win,” says Knight who is originally from Chico, California. “My experience wasn't too pleasant and I can only hope that this one will be better.”

Knight’s only loss came against Ana Maria Torres, who like Mucino, fights for HG Boxing promotion company. It took place two years ago with the Northern Californian losing by decision in Tijuana.

That loss doesn’t sit right with Knight who took the fight despite suffering a bad back she felt the scores were out of place.

Now the Oakland-based prizefighter returns to Mexico to face another world champion Mucino who attacks from the start winging blows like a windmill and refuses to back up. Knight doesn’t care who she is or how she fights.

“I will not let the situations they put me in ruin my mind set on the fight this time. This time I am prepared mentally and keeping the game plan,” Knight says.

Knight’s last fight was against Southern California’s Kaliesha “Wild, Wild” West who is also promoted by HG Boxing. The two girl fighters had fought each other in 2008 with Knight winning by close decision. Their second encounter was another razor close decision.

This past June, Knight and West met again. At stake was West’s WBO bantamweight world title in a match set for 10 rounds. Many called it one of the best female fights ever seen. Personally, it’s definitely in the top three when it comes to technical proficiency. Rarely are two fighters as adept as West and Knight.

“Ava is very good,” says West whose fight with Knight ended in a draw in Pico Rivera, Calif. “She is a very tough girl.”

Knight finds it difficult to obtain a fight so she eagerly accepted the title fight in Mexico at a lower weight class. She is shedding six pounds to fight Mucino.

“I have been walking around at 114 for the past two months, so 112 won't be hard at all. No one believes me when I tell them 112 is my weight class, maybe because it seems only women who fight at 118 want to fight me, but flyweight is where I want to stay,” said Knight who is trained by Ben Bautista. “I feel at flyweight there is a lot of competition too, great fighters with great records that I would love to have a go at.”

Step one takes place in Colima, Mexico and Knight doesn’t plan to win by decision.

“I'm training as if I am going to KO her because I know that they won't give me a win on points,” Knight said.

It’s Mexico or bust for the Lady of Boxing.