00:00 She's a boxing champion.
00:03 She's a mother to three children.
00:09 She's working hard on her comeback and is fighting femicide in her home country of Mexico.
00:18 I want equal rights in sports and in everyday life.
00:25 We women should be happy and free and we should be treated with more respect and love.
00:30 I don't want to lose one single woman more.
00:53 Soledad Vargas' last fight in the ring was two years ago.
00:57 After the birth of her third child, training for her comeback fight is getting increasingly tough.
01:03 I'm a normal person, a mother of three children, a boxer and a homemaker.
01:10 What can I say? I love a challenge.
01:14 I started boxing to get my father's attention.
01:20 It took several years before I had my first fight, about three or four years.
01:24 When I was about 14, I fought against a 19-year-old girl that was taller and heavier than me.
01:31 I cried because I felt like I had disappointed my father.
01:35 But he hugged me and told me that it was just the way it is and I should keep trying.
01:43 It was wonderful for me to see that he'd come to my fights and encourage me.
01:48 With her father's approval and backing, Soledad started making her way in boxing,
01:52 a sport that is mainly practiced by men in Mexico.
01:56 Soon she was Mexican champion.
01:59 Later she even competed in two world championship bouts.
02:03 Boxing became her life's mission.
02:06 Hopefully I won't have to cry.
02:10 In the ring I can just be myself.
02:15 I forget everything and everyone.
02:18 That's the moment in which it's only me, Soledad, in the ring, enjoying it.
02:24 When I can't beat a punching bag or go training, I feel angry and empty.
02:32 That's because I haven't used this time for myself and haven't enjoyed my own world.
02:42 I'm not going to cry.
02:45 I'm going to cry.
02:48 There are just a few days left until the fight.
02:51 Soledad trains at every opportunity.
02:54 Not easy when you have a small child to look after.
02:58 It was like a bucket of cold water was poured over me.
03:03 I couldn't believe it.
03:06 I was so happy.
03:10 I couldn't believe it.
03:12 I couldn't imagine being pregnant again.
03:15 I only stopped training in the sixth or seventh month of it because my legs gave out then.
03:21 The baby was too heavy.
03:24 My plan was to recover for a month after the birth and then go back to the gym.
03:29 But the reality was different.
03:32 It wasn't easy for my daughter to adjust to my schedule.
03:37 She still hasn't gotten used to me training and feeding her at specific times.
03:41 So now I train, drink some water, clean myself and feed her.
03:46 At the beginning I was frustrated because I wanted her to fall asleep quickly.
03:51 But I learned to be patient, to breathe and transfer my calm onto her,
03:55 so that she calms down and I can go back to training.
03:59 I have a guilty conscience because I'm not with her then, but I need time for myself too,
04:05 to reward myself for all the hard work.
04:07 When I enter the ring it's pure adrenaline, nerves and fear.
04:13 But as soon as the gong goes, it's all about having fun,
04:17 being happy in the ring and knowing that I will never give up.
04:20 That's what I want to teach my kids.
04:23 It's two days before her bout.
04:34 Soledad picks up the fighting outfit she designed herself.
04:37 Even before her hiatus, she used her platform to draw awareness
04:42 to one of the biggest issues in her homeland of Mexico, violence against women.
04:47 I dedicate this fight to all women who were killed or raped.
04:55 This fight and my outfit are dedicated to them.
05:00 It's a form of protest and my way to oppose so much violence against women.
05:04 In April 2021, Soledad made a purple outfit adorned with the names of 70 women
05:12 who were murdered in Michoacán, causing headlines in the Mexican media.
05:17 At her comeback fight, she wants to raise awareness again.
05:21 This fight is especially dedicated to Emilia.
05:29 Who was indiscriminately murdered by ruthless individuals.
05:34 On the 5th of September 2022, a young girl named Emilia
05:42 was kidnapped while on her way to school with her mother.
05:45 For seven months, her family searched for her and organized protests
05:49 hoping to find Emilia alive. But they didn't.
05:53 In April 2023, her remains were found on a hill in Soledad's hometown, Apatzingán.
05:59 Now that I have my daughter, I don't like to even think about
06:04 having to go through something like that.
06:06 The pain Emilia's mother is going through is unimaginable.
06:10 Violence against women starts at home, in the way we raise our children
06:15 and teach them how to treat women.
06:17 Little baby Tonantzin has woken up.
06:21 She now needs the full attention and protection of her mother.
06:23 Because the case of Emilia is only one of many femicides
06:27 that happen every day in Mexico.
06:29 About 10 women are killed daily.
06:32 To date, more than 28,000 women, girls and teenagers have disappeared.
06:37 I want equal rights in sports and in everyday life.
06:42 We women should be happy and free and we should be treated with more respect and love.
06:47 I don't want to lose one single woman more.
06:50 Back in the gym, it's time for one last training session ahead of the fight.
06:53 Omar Gánica and Soledad met through boxing.
06:57 For 11 years, he has been training and managing Soledad.
07:01 He's also her husband.
07:03 After making the leap into professional boxing,
07:08 we knocked on many doors, because it's very hard for women in this business.
07:12 We went to the gym, we trained, we got a lot of training.
07:17 It's very hard for women in this business.
07:19 We went to Mexico City and got the opportunity to participate in a tournament there.
07:24 The success helped Soledad break through.
07:28 Then we competed in two tournaments here in Michoacán.
07:32 At one, she became national champion,
07:35 and shortly after that, she qualified for the international level.
07:38 That led us to two world championship fights in the Czech Republic and in Canada.
07:44 The first fight ended in a draw, and to be honest, we were very unhappy with the result.
07:49 She should actually be the world champion, because she deserved it, because she won the fight.
07:54 But it's about taking the positives out of everything.
07:57 Soledad has all it takes to win, but the most important thing,
08:01 I always ask this of her, is to enjoy it to the fullest, because she loves boxing.
08:05 It's her passion.
08:07 But for Soledad, this fight is a chance to bring her own dreams to the forefront again.
08:14 In the ring, I fight against myself, not against my opponent.
08:18 I want to prove to myself that I can come back stronger after the pregnancy,
08:24 with more energy and hunger, and pursue my goal to continue on this path.
08:30 I want to box for three more years.
08:34 I have to give everything for that now.
08:38 I want to bring the world title to Michoacán and be the first world champion from here.
08:43 We'll get this fight, win it, and return to the top of the world.
08:49 The big day is here.
09:05 It's time for her big bout.
09:07 Dozens of boxers are focused as they prepare for their fights.
09:11 In the background, Soledad completely silent, just like her daughter Tonantzin.
09:17 In her mind, Soledad goes through the movements she has practiced.
09:21 Then the announcer interrupts the music and the show begins with the first men's fight.
09:27 Welcome to the legend, the boxing king, Julio César Chávez!
09:35 Welcome to the legend, the boxing king, Julio César Chávez!
09:55 Mexico's biggest boxing star enters the arena.
09:59 Away from the spotlight, Soledad's father has taken a seat.
10:04 Of course I'm nervous, like any father would be in my situation.
10:08 But I'm also proud.
10:10 I hope she can show what she's got today.
10:13 Her opponent is from home, from Tierra Caliente,
10:20 María Sol Burga!
10:27 María Sol Burga!
10:42 Both boxers start cautiously, waiting to spot the other's strategy.
10:53 Soledad soon has the upper hand as she finds her rhythm first.
10:57 With her tough jabs, she aims to keep her rival at a distance.
11:00 But her right hand is the real weapon.
11:03 With skill and dexterity, she pushes her opponent up against the ropes.
11:10 Soledad shows off great technique and clean combos.
11:14 It's down to the final round.
11:22 Soledad has a healthy lead on points.
11:24 She doesn't have to do much more,
11:26 but a knockout always leaves a lasting impression on the crowd.
11:30 Soledad tries to follow the advice.
11:39 And just seconds before the bell tolls, she lands the final blow.
11:43 As the bell rings, Soledad's opponent hasn't been knocked down,
11:47 but it's crystal clear who won the fight.
11:50 And the judges are giving the three of them, 60-54,
11:55 unanimous decision to win this match.
11:58 By unanimous decision, María Soledad Burga!
12:03 I am very happy and feel the support of my children and family.
12:13 We are a team. Together we are invincible.
12:17 I dedicate this win to Emilia and to all women who are still missing.
12:22 I dedicate this win to Emilia and to all women who are still missing.
12:26 still missing.
12:28 (dramatic music)
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