Mónica Núñez
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Mónica Núñez (born October 12, 1976 in the Dominican Republic), is a female boxer who is, as of 2005, one of the world's top ranked fighters in the Super Middleweight division.
Much like Rain Mako, Marcela Acuna and Laura Serrano, to name a few, Nunez is one of the few women's boxing participants from her home country who are relatively well known by her countrymen and women; this may be partly due to the general public's view of boxing as a male only sport.
Núñez nevertheless has had a successful career as a professional boxer. She began her career by knocking out Claribel Ferreira in three rounds, on June 9, 2000, at Santo Domingo.
Three decision wins followed, including one over previously undefeated Marylin Hernandez, before she fought for the first time at the "Teo Cruz" coliseum, also in Santo Domingo. She knocked out Damaris Vizcaino in three rounds there, on September 20, 2002. Her next fight was also held there, as she beat Diana Garcia by a four round decision on December 19 of the same year.
Following that victory, Núñez took the decision of leaving the Dominican Republic, probably looking for better fights and payoffs against better known opponents. She moved to the United States, settling in Irvington, New Jersey. New Jersey was a logical choice for Nunez when it came down to choosing a state where to live in the United States for her: both New Jersey and New York have a large group of Dominican people, which would mean good crowd backing for Nunez whenever she fought in the States, particularly around the New England area.
In her American debut, she lost, however, being handled her first professional defeat at the hands of Roselin Morales, who defeated Nunez by a four round split decision on October 23, 2003, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Morales fight was, of course, Núñez's first fight abroad.
On December 4, she knocked out Shadina Pennybaker in two rounds, also in Allentown.
Núñez travelled to Bermuda for her first fight of 2004, defeating Teresa Perozzi there by a six round majority decision on June 12.
After one more victory, Núñez was given her first world championship try, for the WIBF's world Super Middleweight championship. On July 30, she fought Laila Ali in Louisville, Kentucky, being defeated by a ninth round knockout by the world champion.
Offered a world title try at the Middleweight division, Núñez immediately accepted and she went down in weight to face the WIBA world champion Leatitia Robinson, on February 11, 2005. She lost by knockout in the first round, in a fight held at Atlanta, Georgia.
Núñez announced her plans to keep boxing in the Super Middleweight division soon after the fight with Robinson was over.
On July 17, Nunez lost to Ann Wolfe by a seventh round knockout in Lula, Mississippi.
Nunez currently has a record of 9 wins and 4 losses, with 4 knockout wins.
