You have heard of ‘Cool Boy Steph,’ but what about ‘Cool Girl Steph’?
Meet the 23-year-old flyweight Stephanie Chavez (3-0), from L.A., who returns on February 10th in Long Beach, California, at Thunder Studios to face Haley Pasion (2-4) in a six round fight.
The bout serves as a step-up in competition as despite Pasion’s record, she fought Sulem Urbina, a very good fighter, to a majority decision loss in her last fight. All of Pasion’s losses come to undefeated fighters as well.
“I take any opponent I get as a tough opponent,” Chavez told FightsATW.com. “It is boxing, and anything can happen in boxing. You can be the best and get caught with a shot. Of course, I see her as a good opponent, and yeah, I take her very seriously.”
Chavez is a converted volleyball player turned boxer. She was introduced to boxing as a new way to train. Chavez would then meet her boyfriend, Japhethlee Llamido. Even with limited experience, she competed at national tournaments, gaining valuable experience. She even fought at the 2019 Olympic Trials.
“Once I started competing and taking my training more seriously, I just fell in love with how boxing worked,” said Chavez.
“My boyfriend is a boxer as well. When I met him, he was boxing. It started as a friendship you could say. He started helping me learn his ways and his movement. We just ended up being together. You know? A lot of people find that very unique. It works for us. We are learning how to work together as a team, a business, and being together as a couple. It makes us stronger.
This past year, her boyfriend suffered an unforeseen defeat. Former world champion TJ Doheny knocked out Llamido in the first round. Llamido had been in camps with Naoya Inoue before. He also was one of the most decorated amateurs not to sign with a major promoter.
Chavez commented on this loss and how the team is taking it.
“Nobody wants a loss, especially in a sport that so [much about the individual]. I think the way we prepare ourselves is to go in there and give it all we’ve got and just know that in boxing, anything can happen. Unfortunately, he did get knocked out. We have never experienced that before, never in the amateurs or pros. You know we learned from it. It honestly makes you a stronger person. It also depends on how you take it. Some people don’t grieve a loss as easily as others. So I think as a boxer, you have to have that mentality knowing that one day you could lose.”
She has since gone pro but learned the harsh realities of professional boxing. In the amateurs, you sign up for a tournament and fight. In the professional realm, you must find an investor or invest in yourself. Fighting often is a luxury rather than something you can dictate. This will be her third year as a professional, and she will be approaching her fourth fight.
What is a fight she sees down the road? Seniesa Estrada is someone she looks up to.
“I would love to be in the ring with Seniesa Estrada,” said Chavez, motioning both hands to her heart. “I look at her style, and she is very unique. She has worked hard to get to where she is at. She is just so skillful all the way around…that is one of the things I look forward to the most in achieving, which is to share the ring with Seniesa Estrada. She is one of the best fighters I have seen in the smaller-weight class. She has gone through so many challenges. She is doing really amazing and is a really good fighter.”
Chavez is currently ranked #7 in the United States in her weight class and #47 in the world. A win here would further move her up the rankings. The current champions in her weight class are IBF world champion Gabriela Fundora, WBA, WBO, and WBC champion Marlen Esparza, and WBC interim champion Kenia Enriquez. Within the next year and a half, Chavez could be approaching a big fight if she stays active and keeps winning.
Chavez will look to continue her interesting story and road to a world title on February 10th at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, CA. Tickets are available at http://www.CBNPromotions.com
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