Maricela Cornejo could probably do anything she wanted to do in this world and be successful. She chose to be a fighter, and though walking up those four steps into the ring 16 times is enough proof of where her heart is at, it was in fight 17 that she really showed what’s in her DNA.

In 2018, Cornejo lost her second try at a world title when she lost a 10-round majority decision to Franchon Crews-Dezurn. It was a loss that ate at her, but she moved on, defeating Erin Toughill in January 2019. That was a good comeback win, and while she waited on her next bout, she took a trip to Tel Aviv. That was in late summer. 

Then she got a call. Crews-Dezurn lost her opponent for a September 14 title fight in Carson, California. Was she interested in taking a fight on less than a week’s notice?

The fighter was.

“I didn't have a camp for it, but I went in there for a reason, and my own reason was because the first fight (with Crews-Dezurn), God forbid you say you're hurt. You get hurt mid-round and you can't do s---, but it's still an excuse,” Cornejo explains. “So I needed to prove that that first fight, I truly was hurt. But I wasn't gonna say that. That was just to myself and I was going to put up a fight. I knew I was gonna get tired out; I had no camp for that fight. They called me to step in, I had just gotten back from Tel Aviv and I was still reeking of gin and tonic. (Laughs) But I have a bigger purpose for this, so I knew I was gonna get tired out, I was just like, what round? But I'm gonna put up a damn fight.”

Cornejo did just that, going ten rounds before losing a unanimous decision to Crews-Dezurn. It wasn’t the result she wanted, but it was the fight she did. And that’s really all that mattered at the moment because sometimes, it’s not always about wins and losses; it’s about the fight and the journey to get there. There’s glory in that, even if it doesn’t show up on your boxrec.com page.

“I get people sometimes telling me, ‘I wish I could be a fighter,’ and I think, you like the idea of being a fighter,” said Cornejo. “It sounds pretty. But to actually go in every single morning and every single day and beat your body up and do it again, it's crazy. I do take pride in that and that's exactly why I'm relentless with whatever comes my way because one day I want to be able to tell my kids my story and what their mother did. So I take pride in that, absolutely.”

And with nearly nine years as a pro under her belt, Cornejo has earned her respect in the hardest game, getting membership in an exclusive club of prizefighters that only few can claim. It’s evident when she gets props from legends like Roberto Duran and Lennox Lewis or while doing her “Face to Face” interview series, where she talks to the likes of Laila Ali, Tito Ortiz, Gabe Rosado and Cris Cyborg. Some would say she’s made it as she approaches tonight’s bout against Alma Ibarra, but the 33-year-old knows that there’s still work to be done, especially when it comes to the ladies’ part of the sweet science.

“I'm not gonna point the finger at promoters; I'm just gonna take control of it with my own self and try to see what I can do for the sport - for myself and for those girls to come,” she said. “It's not about continuing to complain, because that's what it sounds like. People are not going to do anything for you; so what are you going to do for yourself?”

Cornejo is doing plenty. She just released her first children’s book – Auntie Love / Tia Te Ama – and for the Ibarra fight in Puerto Rico, she co-produced an all-access look at the bout that includes the participation of the Ibarra camp, who at first were a little reluctant to let Cornejo’s camera crew into their gym.

“I'm not worried about what you're gonna bring,” she laughs. “If that's my worry, there's a problem. But I told her, just think about the bigger picture of how many people are gonna see this. Tell your story. This is your time. Show your hard work, the sweat, the tears, the blood - everything that we do so people can get to know you and fall in love with you and your story and support us and inspire all these little girls. We can be up there with the guys and we should be up there with the guys because we put all the same work in.”

It's the truth, and what Cornejo really gets is that the only way fans will get invested is if they’re attached to someone’s story. That doesn’t just go for boxing, but for anything.

“Life is about a story,” she said. “How do you tell your story and get people connected to you and want to watch you and want to follow you and be a part of your journey? And realize that we're more alike than not? We all wake up thinking, do we matter? And that's one thing that I think the promotional companies are missing is truly showing the women's stories like they show it with the men.”

Cornejo isn’t waiting around. She’s going to tell her story. And when the bell rings tonight, she will add another chapter with her fists, hoping that fans will stick around for more. That’s how stars are made. But rest assured, if it does get to that point, Cornejo will remain true to herself.

“Boxing truly teaches me so much more about myself,” she said. “It strengthens me. I know I have courage, I know I'm a fighter, and more so than all that, I'm extremely proud of myself for being in the sport and remaining a good person. My character has been consistent throughout the years and will continue to be consistent. The sport has its good, bad and ugly, but through it all, I didn't lose who I was.”