All work, no play for Bolivian Queen
As a professional boxer and mother of four, Jennifer Salinas admits she has to plan her day with military precision.Salinas, who earned the moniker ‘The Bolivian Queen’ for her good looks and ring craft, will go toe-to-toe with American Karen Dulin in a featherweight bout at Fairmont Southampton tomorrow night.So determined is she to fulfill her dreams of becoming a world champion, Salinas returned to training just days after giving birth to her fourth child just six months ago and is eager to improve her (12-3-0) record.“I play with my minutes, I literally plan every minute of the day and I don’t have a social life,” she Salinas, who was born in Virginia but raised in Bolivia.“I love my life, don’t get me wrong; I’m a mother of four and my youngest just turned six months so my days are very long and my nights are extremely short.“I give birth at home so I don’t take any medications or anything that can hold me back — I’m back running four days later.“I have always taken care of myself and take my job very seriously. I respect all the time my trainer and my team put into me and wouldn’t go into the ring just for a cheque or for exposure.”The 30-year-old is the Bolivia’s only professional female boxer and hopes to fight for a title in the South American country some time next year.“I’m very proud of Bolivia, I feel very blessed. I had a meeting with the president a few weeks ago and he’s offered his help and support for this big project that we’re trying to put together, to fight for a title for Bolivia in Bolivia,” said Salinas, who will be topping the undercard of Teresa Perozzi’s WBC and WBA World Middleweight fight against Tori Nelson.“I have a lot of support behind me and I’m very excited that I’m able to do this.”Salinas, who is currently ranked seventh in the US and 41st in the world, expects a tough fight against underdog Dulin, who has earned a reputation for going the distance against respected opponents.“I know she’s a tough opponent and she’s always in shape to fight. She’s never been stopped, dropped or given an eight count and she’s fought some very tough girls.“We’re both international fighters and I think it’s a fair fight — we’ll both be looking to give our best.”If all goes accordingly Salinas hopes to secure a title fight in the not-too-distant future.“We’re looking at fighting two more fights for classification just for ranking and the third one will be a title fight, hopefully in Bolivia next year,” she said.“I love boxing and it’s my dream to fight for a title and be a world champion one day.”