HISTORY OF
WOMEN'S BOXING

5'3" 118-lb southpaw Ada "Ace" Velez (b. Sept 15 1970) is from Puerto Rico and boxes out of Hollywood, Florida. She was originally trained by former IFBA and WIBF world featherweight champion Bonnie Canino and Bert Rodriguez but is now trained at Warriors Gym in Hollywood by Isiah Clark and Benny Collins.

She posted an 8-0 record as an amateur and won the 119-lb gold medal at the 1999 USA Boxing Women's Nationals with a 13-2 defeat of California's Jamie Baron.

Ada made her pro debut on August 21, 1999 at the National Guard Armory in West Palm Beach, Florida, with a second-round KO of Jocelyn Fontanella of Vero Beach, who fell to 0-2.

On June 30, 2000 at Gold Strike Casino in Tunica, Mississippi, she won a four-round unanimous decision over Ohio veteran Sue Chase (a former kickboxer and Christy Martin opponent whose overall pro boxing record fell to a staggering 1-22-1 with this loss!)

On October 8, 2000 in Chicago, Illinois, she scored a second-round TKO over local favorite Jimi Chartrand of Joliet, Illinois, who slipped to 1-1-1.

On October 18, 2000 at the Angelo Dundee Training Center in Davie, Florida, Ada (121¾ lbs) TKO'd Pamela Opdyke (123½ lbs) of New Orleans, Louisiana at 1:45 of the fourth round in a scheduled six-round bout. Opdyke fell to 0-6.

On November 15, 2000 at the Angelo Dundee Center in Davie, Florida, she weighed in at 119 lbs and TKO'd Lisa Foster (119½ lbs) of Maryland at 1:48 in the second round of a scheduled four-round bout. According to the report I received from Ryan Wissow, "Velez dazzled Foster, then administered a beating on (her) in the second round ... Foster turned away and said "no mas". Foster's record fell to 2-3-1.

Velez won her first pro title on December 15, 2000 at the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Velez weighed in at 120 lbs and won the WIBF North American junior featherweight title by a unanimous (80-72,80-72,80-71) eight-round decision over Linda Tenberg (122¼ lbs) of Austin, Texas. Velez opened a deep gash over Tenberg's left eye in the second round and pummeled her for the rest of the bout. "I knew she was very strong," said Velez, "I knew she wasn't going to be knocked out. It was a tough fight. Hopefully, this is the beginning of many, many belts." Tenberg fell to 4-3 with the loss.

On January 19, 2001 at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, Ada weighed in at 117 lbs and won the IBA Bantamweight title with a unanimous (97-93,99-91,100-90) 10-round decision over the IBA's Junior Bantamweight champion, Kathy Williams (5'5", 117¾ lbs) of Thunder Bay, Canada. Velez used her speed to get inside against Williams, beat her to the punch, and get away without taking much in return. Williams came closest to solving Velez's southpaw style in the second and third rounds using her own hand speed, but she wasn't able to keep this up. Velez controlled the later going and wore her more experienced foe down with her right. Williams, who had taken the fight at six days' notice, was gracious in her praise for Velez after the bout, stating that Ada had surprised her with her skills. Williams, herself a former national amateur champion, fell to 12-3 (4 KO's) as a pro boxer with the loss.

Ada Velez was named WBAN's Fighter of the Month in February 2001.

On June 29, 2001 at Dover Downs Racetrack in Dover, Delaware, Ada maintained a perfect 8-0 (4 KO's) record with a four-round majority (40-36,40-36,38-38) decision over Jamillia Lawrence of Atlantic City, who dropped to 7-5 (4 KO's). This was also a hard-fought bout, with Velez landing the harder shots throughout but Lawrence challenging her hard, especially in the final round. Trainer Bonnie Canino told WBAN: "Ada Velez did real good, since she had a car accident three weeks ago with a badly sprained ankle, which she wasn't able to practice on till last week. Jamilla threw a lot of power punches as Ada was able to block and escape from her power punches. Ada returned the same punishment back to Jamilla . Ada's skills pulled through the fight showing why she is the champ."

On November 16, 2001 at the Convention Center in Austin, Texas, Ada won the WIBA 122-lb world title by outboxing unbeaten Mary Elizabeth Ortega of Kansas City for a clear ten-round unanimous (96-93,98-91,98-91) decision. Velez bloodied Ortega's nose but Ortega gave her a good fight all the way to a rousing toe-to-toe finish in the final round. Ortega slipped to 19-1 (4 KOs). Photo credit:  Sue TL Fox

On January 25, 2002 at Walter C. Young Pavilion in Pembroke Pines, Florida: Ada (120 lbs) stopped a badly overmatched Angie Bordelon (120½ lbs) of New Orleans at 1:54 in the second round. Velez sent Bordelon to the canvas twice in the second before the bout was stopped. Bordelon fell to 2-6-0 (0 KO). This questionable piece of matchmaking on a home-state card didn't do much to prepare her for her next fight, against her toughest opponent yet ...

On June 21, 2002 at the Convention Center in Waco, Texas, Melissa Salamone (Del Valle) (120¾ lbs) proved that she's still a major force in women's boxing by coming down in weight to win a solid ten-round unanimous (97-93,97-93,99-91) decision Ada (then #2 Ranked Junior Featherweight, 121½ lbs) for the WIBA 122-lb title. Melissa was the aggressor for most of the bout and wore Ada down with a steady body attack and effective work inside. Salamone/Del Valle moved to 26-0-1 (11 KO).

On July 18, 2002 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon, IFBA Featherweight champion and #4 ranked Featherweight Layla McCarter of Las Vegas, Nevada fought Ada Velez to a six-round majority draw (58-56 Velez,57-57,57-57) in a non-title bout. McCarter moved to 11-7-4 (2 KOs) with her second bout in a week.

On November 9, 2002 at South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, Florida, Ada Velez advanced to 11-1-1 (6 KO) with a fourth-round TKO of Rolanda Andrews of Atlanta, Georgia, who fell to 6-6-0 (3 KO) with the loss. Velez was the aggressor throughout the fight and Andrews wasn't able to handle her fast pace, although they both traded some solid leather at close quarters. The fight was stopped in the fourth after Andrews took a number of hard shots without offering resistance.

WBAN’s Inside reporter said that "in the first round, Ada came out and felt Rolanda's abilities and finished strong in the last 30 seconds to win the round on the judges' scorecard. In the second round, Ada proceeded to keep a fast and relentless pace and worked Rolanda’s body. In the third round, Ada came out again with a fast pace and almost stopped Rolanda with hooks and an uppercut to the chin---Rolanda grabbed and held, but Ada did not grab back and she worked her punches in close. In the fourth round, Ada resumed the aggression with a barrage of combinations throwing them at all angles, Rolanda did not answer back, and took many hard punches, so the referee jumped in and stopped the bout. Ada and Rolanda’s fight was of the most exciting fights on the card."

On December 20, 2002 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, Velez had trouble making the 118 lb weight for a defense of her IBA Bantamweight title ... but then had no trouble scoring a 10-round unanimous (100-90,100-90,100-90) decision over LaKeysha Williams (118 lbs) of Philadelphia to retain the belt. Williams fell to 6-5-1 (1 KO).

On March 29, 2003 at Seminole Indian Casino in Coconut Creek, Florida, Ada (120 lbs) won by a disqualification over former IFBA Junior Featherweight champion Leona Brown (120 lbs) of Pawling, New York at 1:18 in the seventh round. Referee Armando Garcia had previously deducted two points from Brown for holding. Velez progressed to 13-1-1 (6 KO) while Brown fell to 10-11-0 (4 KO).

On June 28, 2003 at Coconut Creek Casino in Miami, Florida, Ada (118 lbs) won the vacant WIBA Bantamweight title Delia Gonzalez (114½ lbs) of Chamberino, New Mexico was disqualified for excessive holding at 1:25 in the seventh round. Gonzalez had had two points deducted in the earlier rounds for holding before being disqualified by referee Armando Garcia. Gonzalez apparently had no answer for Velez except trying to tie her up. Gonzalez fell to 13-9-4 (3 KO).

On October 30, 2003 at Seminole Coconut Creek Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Ada (118 lbs) and Lisa Brown (5'2", 116½ lbs) of Ontario, Canada fought to a ten-round majority draw in a hard-fought bout for Velez's WIBA Bantamweight world title. After a feeling-out round, the two southpaws went toe to toe with Brown's back to the ropes in the second. Brown used the ring better in the third and her footwork and defensive skills negated Velez's aggression and earned her points on the scorecards in the middle rounds. The crowd was solidly behind the Puerto Rican and local resident Velez but Brown's slick boxing skills held her in check. Velez pushed the pace in the late going and wobbled Brown once in the final round, but Brown had done enough to earn the decision on one judge's card. The scorecards were 96-94 for Brown, and two cards even at 95-95. Brown, the IWBF Bantamweight champion, remained undefeated at 8-0-2 (3 KO).

Lisa Brown offered Velez a rematch in Canada or the USA and said she would put her IWBF belt on the line if Velez accepts the return engagement.

On January 17, 2004 at Radisson SAS hotel in Aarhus, Denmark, Anita Christensen (117¾ lbs) of Randers, Denmark won a controversial split (93-97,97-94,96-95) decision over Ada. Velez had weighed in at 117½ lbs in this ten-rounder for the WIBA and WIBF Bantamweight titles. Christensen was knocked down in the eighth round and Velez was the aggressor for much of the fight. WIBA official Ryan Wissow stated that he scored the bout 96-93 in favor of Velez and adds that "This was not a good decision in my opinion. I thought Velez won the fight, as did most of the media ringside. I am going to strongly recommend a rematch to the promoter." Adding to the controversy, both judges who called the fight for Christensen were from Denmark, while the judge who called it for Velez was from Finland. Velez was unhappy with the decision and left the ring without congratulating Christiansen, who advanced to 15-0-0 (6 KO).

Velez returned to the ring in 2007, saying "It's not about the money ... the money is not out there. There is not much respect out there for women's boxing. I am doing this for the love of the sport. This is about a little unfinished business I have left in the ring. This time I leave the sport, I want to leave on top. I want my son to be proud of me. I just came back to the gym to stay in shape and the next thing I know Bonnie (Canino) is telling me I still have it in me. When I came back and started sparring with the guys my confidence came back. I was hurt when they took that decision away from me in Denmark. I fought my heart out and they took that decision away from me."

On August 10, 2007 on ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” at the Expo Center in Springfield, Missouri, USA Jeri Sitzes (126 lbs) of Springfield won a six-round unanimous (59-55,59-55,58-56) decision over Ada (127 lbs) of Hollywood, Florida.  This was a comeback fight for the 36-year-old Velez after a three-and-a-half year layoff from competition. Sitzes, who was the WBAN #4 ranked featherweight, improved her record to 13-6-1 (5 KOs) while Velez fell to 14-3-2 (6 KOs).

On September 21, 2007 at the Santa Ana Star Casino in Bernalillo, New Mexico,  Ada Velez (122 lbs) won a six-round majority (58-56,58-56,57-57)  decision over Jackie Chavez (122 lbs) of Los Lunas, New Mexico. Velez wasn't slowed by anything that a busy Chavez threw, but was more effective with her own punches.  Chavez's ineffective opening right appeared to be her undoing. Chavez fell to 9-4-0 (3 KOs).   

On November 24, 2007 at Paragon Casino and Resort in Marksville, Louisiana, Ada Velez (121½ lbs) won a ten-round unanimous (97-93,98-92,100-90) decision over Kasha Chamblin (121½ lbs) of Lafayette, Louisiana for the vacant IBA Junior Featherweight title.  Chamblin fell to 10-2 (2 KOs) with the loss. 

On January 21, 2010 at San Manuel Indian Casino in Highland, California, Ada Velez (121½ lbs) again returned to competition and fought to a six-round majority draw with 21-year-old Kaliesha West (120¾ lbs) of Moreno Valley, CA.   West moved her record to 11-1-1 (2 KOs),

On February 27, 2010 at the Electricians Union Hall, in  Miami, Florida, Ada Velez (121 lbs) won a six-round unanimous decision over Stacey "Stay-Lo" Reile of Miami.  WBAN was told that this fight was the best bout on the card and was a great fight that rekindled the audience's passion for boxing, especially women's boxing.  Velez improved her record to 17-3-3 (6 KO's) while dropping Reile to 9-2 (4 KO's).  Former world champion and trainer Bonnie Canino told WBAN, "Velez and her team have great respect for Stacy Reile. She demonstrated great heart and is a good representative for the sport. Ada Velez is looking for her next fight to be at 118, where she will dominate anyone who challenges her."

On December 10, 2010 at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas,  Velez (117¼  lbs) won a six-round unanimous decision over local boxer Mary Elizabeth Ortega (116¾ lbs).  Ortega fell to 31-6-2 (8 KO's).

On March 31, 2011 at National Stadium in San Jose, Costa Rica, Ada won the vacant IBF Junior Featherweight title with a close, exciting ten-round split decision over previously undefeated Melinda Cooper of Las Vegas, Nevada. Velez used an accurate jab with great precision and intelligence to come out on the winning side of a 96-94,96-94,94-96 split decision over Cooper who dropped to 21-1 (11  KO's).

Melinda Cooper vs Ada Velez in November 2011
© Copyrighted photo taken by Mary Ann Owen

On November 20, 2011 at Texas Station Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ada Velez (122 lbs) repeated her win over Melinda Cooper (121 lbs) for the IBF Featherweight title by a majority decision over ten rounds.  Velez improved to 20-3-3 (6 KO's) while dropping Cooper's record to 21-2 (11 KO's).  

On March 24, 2012 at the Palacio de Deportes in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Katy WIlson Castillo (121½ lbs) of Santo Domingo won a ten-round unanimous (98-92,97-93,97-93) decision over Ada Velez (121½ lbs) for the IBF Junior Featherweight title.  The win improved Castillo's pro record to 15-1 (9 KO's). 

On January 24, 2013 at the Coca-Cola Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jessica Rakoczy (122 lbs) of Las Vegas, Nevada won a ten-round unanimous (99-90x3) decision over Ada Velez (122 lbs) for the vacant WIBA Junior Featherweight title. The win advanced Rakoczy's pro boxing record to 33-3 (12 KO's) while Velez fell to 20-5-3 (6 KO's).

Page last updated: Monday, 4 February 2013

WBAN Boxer Bio by Dee Williams