How boxer Martinez's will to win won a title fight with a torn ACL, meniscus
· Yahoo Sports
Everything was looking up for Emily Martinez.
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The boxer became the first female from Holland to reach the National Golden Gloves tournament and won her last fight - the Queen of the Jungle event - despite a leg injury.
But the injury didn't get better after the fight. It lingered and didn't allow her to train at full speed.
Turns out her injury was worse than anticipated - and her victory and will to win much more impressive.
Days before her fight, Martinez tore her ACL and meniscus in her left knee.
She went out and beat Cassie Norris of Indiana at 125 pounds in a convincing victory, which turned out to virtually be on one leg.
"The will to win is crazy," Martinez said.
It certainly is.
Having seen her fight and knowing her backstory, nothing surprises me. Martinez's will was something that wasn't in question - even before the injury.
The mother of two got into boxing because of domestic abuse.
Her will got her into that ring and able to protect herself and her kids.
After falling in love with the sport, The Eli J's Boxing Club fighter wanted to be a champion.
Soon after, her will pushed her to the regional and state Golden Glove titles, qualifying for the national tournament.
Now her will is going to be tested as she is forced to sit at least six weeks.
"I can find ways to work out. it is just the mental aspect that's going to drive me nuts," she said.
But knowing how her will has transformed her from victim to champion, the best of Emily Martinez is yet to come.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: How boxer Martinez's will to win won a title fight with a torn ACL, meniscus