Delgado’s back for the swing of things

Story & photos by Chris Cozzone

For a time, she was New Mexico’s top female fighter.

Having just won the IFBA bantamweight world title put Albuquerque’s Adriana Delgado at the top of the 118-pound heap—but just as soon as she got to the top, she gave it up.

Now, exactly five years later, to the day, Albuquerque’s Adriana Delgado, now 29, is ready to make a comeback.

Why return? Delgado has two reasons.

“I can’t get enough of this,” is her first reason.

The second reason?

Delgado is not impressed with the female fight game.

“Nothing has changed much in five years,” says Delgado. “There are just as many women fighting and not too many are impressive.

“That’s why I’m coming back. I want to show what I can do. I know that what I can do supersedes others. Holly Holm has done a great job here, and she does what she has to do to win, but her fights are predictable. She doesn’t make an exciting fight.

“That’s what I hope to do. People want to see a good fight.”

After winning her world title, in 2003, Delgado left the game to pursue business interests, then became a firefighter for Bernalillo County. Then, in 2004, she was training for a comeback when she blew out the anterior cruciate ligament of her knee. Two years later, she was ready to return.

“I hooked up with manager Andy Rivera and then came here to work with the Romeros,” says Delgado. “It’s been great since.”

The Romeros were noncommittal at first, but gave in after watching her work.

“We didn’t want to get into women’s boxing,” admits Dan Romero, Sr. “But she proved herself a fighter and I realized there’s no difference. Boxing is boxing.

“She hasn’t missed a step since walking through our doors. She has no quit in her and she can jab, or hook, as good as any guy can.”

Delgado has been with the Romeros since January.

“I was sort of bouncing around from trainer to trainer,” says Delgado. “I needed someone to push me. Then it was time to find a fight . . . .”

Delgado, 10-2-1, 4 KOs, has a fight lined up for May 31 at the Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio, Colo. She’ll be going five rounds against Heather Donohue, 5-1-1, of San Diego, Calif.

“I’m sure they’re taking the fight because I’ve been inactive and she hasn’t,” says Delgado. “It doesn’t matter. I know nothing about her, but I don’t’ care—I’m ready for anything.”

Delgado gives herself a one-year timeline to accomplish her goals, with four years, max, left to fighting before retiring her good.

“I should be able to attain my goals within a year,” says Delgado. “I want all the girls who have the titles.”

Already there is talk of a Delgado vs. Monica Lovato showdown. Lovato, a 115-pounder from northern New Mexico, holds the NABF super flyweight belt but is rated in all the major sanctioning bodies.

“We’ve been friends so it’s a hard thing to say I’ll fight her,” says Delgado. “But I’m staying at 118—if she wants to come up to bantamweight, and she brings a belt with her, I’ll do it.”