PHOENIX, ARIZONA, U.S.A. – While on break from training with Mexico’s national boxing team at the Olympic Center in Mexico City, Sulem Urbina, Mexico’s amateur representative at flyweight, participated in various National Football League charity and celebrity events centered around Super Bowl XLIX. The events included the Players and Pets Charity Party, Wounded Warriors Amputee Football Game (WWAFT), Knockout Bullying Day Event, Madden Bowl, Super Brawl Showdown, and DirecTV’s Super Bowl Party. Urbina, a twenty-four year old, Mexican born, U.S. resident, and a 2016 Olympic hopeful, talked about her busy week in Arizona. She said, “I really enjoyed all the events last week. Each event touched my heart in different ways, allowed me to give back, and meet so many new people.”

The Players and Pets Charity Party in Scottsdale, Arizona, on February 3, kicked off a busy week for Urbina. “I’m a lover of animals, so being part of an event that helped animals find safe homes was incredible. Teaming up with a charity like Halo Animal Rescue, a no-kill facility in Phoenix, Arizona, was terrific, and I look forward to doing more with them in the future. It was great to partake in the preliminary promotions with NBC 12 in Phoenix.”

On February 4, Urbina attended the WWAFT at Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona. She said, “It was great meeting Dr. Jen Welter, LaDainian Tomlinson, Kenny Mayne, Snoop Dogg, Jake Plummer, Eric Allen, Mark McMillan, and the other former NFL athletes and entertainers that participated. I have great respect for wounded warriors and all the servicemen who keep us safe. It was great meeting so many of them at the game, and they will always have my support. They have overcome so much, and they continue to give as much as they can. They inspire me.”

On February 5, Urbina was a big part of Knockout Bullying Day Festivities and Super Brawl Showdown, both held at the Phoenix Zoo. Urbina said, “Working with kids has always been a passion of mine, and I enjoy inspiring them. The Knock Out Bullying Day included hundreds of middle school students participating in a program that addressed their hardships, and gave advice on overcoming obstacles in their lives. I shared my story with the kids, and many of them at the event had been through similar situations. Hopefully, what I said helped them in some way.”

Urbina discussed the MMA fights at Super Brawl. “It was great meeting Kenny Burns, the Mosleys, the fighters, and their families. The fight between Brenda Gonzales and Lacey Schuckman was very exciting. It was great helping host a fight event during Super Bowl weekend. Arizona fight fans showed me lots of love.”

Sulem attended the Madden Bowl and DirecTV Party on February 6 and 7. She said, “The Madden Bowl and DirecTV events allowed me to have dozens of media, corporate, and athlete interactions. I was able to educate many of them about boxing and my quest to gain more exposure on television for the women. In order for me to be successful and to help others, I have to put in work, both inside and outside the ring. It was a unique experience, and being a part of it has motivated me even more.”

Urbina is scheduled to have a busy 2015 ahead with several international amateur boxing invitationals. Her coach and husband, Andrews Soto, said, “Sulem has been working really hard at Knockout Boxing Club in Phoenix, and she plans to resume her training with Mexico’s national team soon. She will be busy all year long with international tournaments and qualifiers. On March 20, she is scheduled to participate in a pro-am boxing show in Glendale, Arizona. All the hard work will pay off for her in the last year before the Olympics. Her amateur experience will serve her well when she turns pro. We’ve already had interest from several boxing promoters that are excited to feature her on pro cards. We are really grateful to everyone who continues to support Team Urbina.”
*Photo credits: courtesy of Team Urbina