Even though she was born
with boxing in her blood, Blanca Gutierrez didn't lace on a pair of
gloves until she was in her twenties.
Her father, Javier Gutierrez, nicknamed "Babyface" was a ranking
featherweight in the 1940s and 50s. "Babyface" was well known at the
Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles-where he boxed 19 times in span of
five years.
Blanca grew up in Pacifica, CA., listening to her father reminisce about
his boxing career. She was riveted by his stories. Father and daughter
watched boxing together every Saturday. Blanca felt his passion. She
understood it. Her father pushed education, so Blanca didn’t participate
in any high school sports.
While in college in 1991, Blanca started to wrestle. When she was
sidelined by an injury, she took up kickboxing. She soon discovered that
male coaches didn't take female fighters seriously. She also found time
to work as a sales trader for BTIG, one of the largest brokerages firms
in the world. As the only women in the office, Blanca learned first-hand
what it was like to in a male dominated industry.
Blanca dove in headfirst into kickboxing-ignited by the same passion her
father had for boxing. He gave her tips like, "Hit the body and the head
would follow."
Blanca Gutierrez, Martha Salazar and Carina Moreno would be on the same
kick boxing cards and would share the beginning of their journey
together. They go a long way back and their friendship and respect for
each and other grew.
After six months of training, Blanca engaged in her first fight.
Blanca Gutierrez, Martha Salazar and Carina Moreno would be on the same
kick boxing cards and would share the beginning of their journey
together. They go a long way back and their friendship and respect for
each and other grew.
A natural athlete, she eventually captured three national titles, but
boxing kept calling to her. She had lost track of the number of times
she walked into a boxing gym anxious to learn the ropes, only to be
turned down flat. She knew there were other women who loved boxing. She
wanted them to have a place where someone cared. Where women would be
taught boxing. She wanted a place where safety came first, where would
could have the best equipment and not wait in line for ring time.
In 2007 Blanca opened a gym named after her father that offered women
the same opportunities as men to pursue their boxing dreams. She created
the Beautiful Brawlers program where all female boxers could learn
together, hone their skills and get the best sparring worldwide. She
never gave up.
Four years later to honor her father's legacy, Blanca created the first
All-Female amateur boxing card. Ages eight and older competed. The show
was a resounding success. This year we are on our 10th show. The Babyface gym has produced WBC World Champion Martha Salazar and has
assisted many girls reach their goals, on our quest together to make the
sport better for all females. The girls would follow by example and No
one was better than the likes of Martha Salazar and Blanca knew it.
Salazar became the first female fighter from the Bay Area to win a world
title when she defeated Tanzee Danielle in San Francisco. This bond
would bring many more successes for all of the Beautiful Brawlers.
That same year, Blanca was awarded the female advocate award by the
Women's Boxing Archive Network. Through blood, guts and a never-say-die
attitude, Blanca has built her Babyface family into one the most
respected originations in boxing. She has been in the WBC panel for the
all-female conventions something she cherishes most. She has been
selected this year as a high performance coach for JO & Youth female
boxers at the Olympic Training center in Colorado Springs.
She's grateful for the support she's received through the years from her
sister Lupi, husband Charlie, and their two children.
Blanca Gutierrez epitomizes what a true fighter is all about. Nothing
was ever given to her. Despite confronting prejudice, and naysayers
outside of the ring, her heart, as big as the state was born in, still
beats with passion and drive.
