(FEB 1) Ever wonder what
motivates a beautiful young 27-year-old Latina, whom is a Model,
a Professional Psychotherapist and single mother of three to
step into the boxing ring? We as Latino's call it the
inner drive of that strong Hispanic Heritage of always wanting
to survive and prove to everyone that we can accomplish anything
that is put before us!
Madeline "Maddi" Ortega is that
spirited Latina that has come a long way from learning the
lessons of life the hard way. Maddi grew up with her siblings,
two sisters and one brother, in a single provider home. Maddi's
mom had to raise her children on her own since there father was
incarcerated. That alone is a strike on many young Latino
families growing up without a father figure in the home;
especially young women.
Maddi, one obsession through these trying times, was that she
loved school.
However, she recalls her journey through such as being
difficult. Maddi says she was not very popular or pretty in
school. She remembers getting into fights at school and was
kicked out of North High for fighting. Also she had her oldest
son Miguel at the age of 16. However, Maddi still continued on
to Manuel High School and eventually graduated.
After graduation she had her second son Abel and then Maddi
proceeded to go back into school to further her education. She
started off at Community College of Denver where she would earn
her Associate Degree. Simultaneously, she got into modeling as
she totally loves being a girly girl. At the age of 23 she had
her youngest son Orlando and her relationship with the boy's
father, a former pro boxer Miguel Pasillas, gradually faded.
Maddi has since, been a single Mom raising her boys.
Maddi gained employment as a professional psychotherapist for
Drug and Alcohol clients after becoming a Certified Addictions
Counselor III; she has now been working in the field for a total
of five years. Maddi will be graduating this year from Metro
State College with a Double Bachelor in Degree Psychology and
Human Services with an emphasis in addictions. She has plans to
begin a Master's level program early next year.
As for boxing, Maddi has been boxing professionally for three
years. Maddi first started just to get back into shape. She
would watch female boxer Champions on video such as Mia St John,
Mariana "La Barbie" Juarez, (Whom Maddi totally loves) and local
Denver Boxing Champion Terri "LiL Loca" Cruz.
She admired how beautiful those boxers were and the fact that
they also fought really well! Maddi was inspired to the fight
game especially after her coach Steve Maestas of the House of
Pain Boxing Gym, had her spar for the first time; after that she
was addicted to the sport. Maddi's professional record is 3 wins
and one loss. Her goal is to get better in boxing with more
fights and hopefully one day fight for a world title.
Madeline Ortega's main purpose is to be a role model for many
young Latinas and young women in general that come from similar
backgrounds and teach them that "Character is a reflection of
simple dignity, integrity and one believing in oneself; the more
you put into it to more you will get out of it"!
"Don't let anyone ever count you out! Just because you come from
a poor, single parent family or Minority background does not
make you inadequate or incapable. Gain strength from adversity.
You can be anything you want to be in life. Make good decisions
and pursue your dreams with confidence and everything will work
out" stated by Madeline "Latina Princess" Ortega.
It brings me Great Pride as a Latino to share this awesome story
by an AWESOME LATINA!
Madeline "Latina Princess" Ortega will be boxing on February
17th at Red & Jerry's at 7:30 pm on South Santa Fe & Oxford on
the undercard of Rob "Red Hot " Frankel Jr. Welterweight Title
Fight. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Steve Maestas at
House of Pain 720-298-1954 or at King Soopers TicketWest.
About Stephen Blea: Pro Boxing WBC R/J, writer for Denver
YourHub and various local newspapers.
