Mexico Bound Kaliesha West

By David A. Avila

Kaliesha “Wild, Wild” West exports her brand of fighting below the border when she defends her WBO bantamweight world title against Jessica Villafranca on Saturday.

Moreno Valley’s West (13-1-3, 4 KOs), a Mexican-American, travels to Colima, Mexico to face last-minute replacement Villafranca (12-2, 6 KOs). It’s West second adventure into the neighboring country and her first under new promoter HG Boxing Promotions. It will not be televised in the U.S. but in Mexico.

“I feel nervous but at the same time thankful. I understand that boxing in Mexico is huge, they have very tough love for the sport, but at the same time, they support the sport to the fullest,” said West, 23. “I’m just planning on going out there, and doing my job to the best of my abilities, and perform for one of boxing's biggest fan bases.”

The last time West traveled to Mexico she did not receive the purse she was contracted to receive. Though it left a very bitter memory, the perky fighter erased that from her mind.

“I don't hold grudges against everyone just because of one bad experience that involved one bad person. That wouldn't be fair for anyone, so no it does not leave a bad impression,” explained West about the incident that occurred in 2008. “I'm just hopeful for the best outcome. There was a time I fought here in California for free.”

In West’s last fight she was forced to give up most of her money to challenger Ava Knight who would not fight her for anything less. Who could blame any female fighter for facing a dangerous fighter like West for less than a championship-size purse?

Former world champion Wendy Rodriguez says West’s speed and technique make her very dangerous.

“She knows what she’s looking for when fighting someone,” said Rodriguez, who writes for boxing web site Uppercutmagazine.com. The only weakness detected is “losing focus when people (her trainers) are yelling at her from the outside.”

Can’t afford to be champ

Because West needed to defend the title within a certain time frame, she had no other available option but to fight for the minimum amount.

“In my last fight I didn’t make any money. I knew from the beginning that a female wouldn’t take the fight unless it was for good money or TV,” West said about basically giving up most of her purse to the challenger. “It was hurtful, and very depressing. I was just about ready to quit boxing because I told my dad, I can’t afford to be the champ.”

Despite her love of boxing, West was ready to quit the sport.

“I was beginning to not be able to make ends meet in life alone. I felt that was it for me, I needed to take care of myself, and if that meant to stop doing the one thing I enjoy doing, it had to be done,” she said. “It had nothing to do with greed, it was just the facts that I loved the sport, but it didn’t love me back.”

A quick introduction to Mexican promoter Hector Garcia led to an agreement to fight under his banner. Already he promotes Mexican female super star Ana Maria Torres and budding champion Arely Mucino. Torres is a bantamweight and Mucino a flyweight.

“I see it as a blessing. I’m not going to Mexico fearing that because I was born in Michigan I’m going to be rejected,” said West who moved to California at a young age. “I’m going to Mexico as a fighter, and if they judge me based on how great I fight, not where I was born, everything will fall into place.”

Mexico’s Villafranca

Facing the Moreno Valley prizefighter will be Villafranca who is filling in for Argentina’s Yanina Acuna who suffered an injury while training. The new opponent is taller and younger.

“I know a little bit about her. I know about her amateur background, she is usually heavier then me and I know she is bigger then me. When she fought other women that weren’t on her level of competition, she did what she had to do and either knocked them out, or won by decision,” said West who is trained by her father Juan West. “I treat every fight the same, I just listen to my dad, and do what I was trained to do. Every fight has its dangers in its own way, but as long as I do what I'm told, I'll be fine.”

West hopes the Mexican fans, who are considered among the world’s most avid followers of boxing, will appreciate her fighting prowess.

“I’m excited about giving that boxing crowd what they want, action and entertainment in the ring,” West says about fighting for Mexican fans. “I’m focused on letting all who watch, tune in, and seats themselves live in Mexico, know that I’m one of boxing's greatest fighters.”

Same fight card

Also on the same fight card in Mexico, IBF flyweight titleholder Arely Mucino (13-0-1, 8 KOs) defends against Susana Vasquez (5-5-1) in a 10-round title fight.

Fights on television

Fri. ESPN2, 6 p.m., Demetrius Andrade (13-0) vs. Grady Brewer (28-12).

Sat. Fox, 6 p.m., Fernando Montiel (45-3-2) vs. Alvaro Perez (21-3-1).