Kiria Tapia: 'It Would Mean The World to Me to Be A Part of The History Books For Puerto Rican Sports'

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Kiria Tapia hopes to win the first of many titles on Saturday, even if it isn’t a world title.

Tapia faces Juliana Vanesa Basualdo in her hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The 10-round women’s junior lightweight bout, hosted by Salita Promotions, will stream on Wynn Records Network.

Tapia (10-0, 1 KO) returns for her third outing of 2026. At 36, Tapia, who waited to turn after four Olympic cycles, is now close to achieving her dream (kind of). A regional WBO title will be on the line. It might be insignificant to fight fans who only look at world titles as accomplishments, but for Tapia, it is a major milestone.

“I have strived for years to be a role model for kids in her local communities to show that there is a way out,” Tapia told FightsATW via a translator. “Now, that dream to become an Olympian has become a dream to become a world champion.”

Photo Credit: Angel Martinez/Universal Promotions

Tapia has become a local celebrity in San Juan. She was featured on a cooking show that raised her profile and is consistently the top ticket seller for co-promoted events with Universal Promotions and Salita Promotions. Though Amanda Serrano is a Puerto Rican world champion, Tapia has spent her life in San Juan, is clear she wants to win a title, and wants to do it for the people of Puerto Rico who back her fight after fight.

“It would mean the world to me to be a part of the history books for Puerto Rican sports,” Tapia said. “It means everything to become a next-level icon as a women’s boxing champion.”

Basualdo (15-7, 3 KOs), a career junior featherweight, will be moving up in weight. She lost a split decision to Mikiah Kreps in October; since then, she has fought twice in her native Argentina. Basualdo, 35, also presents a new challenge for Tapia’s career; she is a southpaw. That said, Tapia is trained by Ivan Calderon, a Hall of Fame Puerto Rican southpaw and one of the most technical fighters the island has ever seen.

“He is more than a trainer to me; he is basically family,” Tapia said. “He knows how hard I work in the gym, and he is happy that I put in the work. That I absorb everything he teaches me. I learn a lot from him.”

For Tapia, who consistently draws a full house in San Juan, this moment is just the start of what she hopes will be a very special run.

“This fight means a lot to me; it is my first time fighting for a title; we are fighting for the WBO NABO title; it will be the first title for the team,” Tapia said. “I know my life and my story are going to change after I win my first title.”