Jasmine Artiga: “I find myself even hungrier and more determined to prove why I am the world champion, and it’s time to show the world I am not going anywhere.”

Jasmine Artiga: “I find myself even hungrier and more determined to prove why I am the world champion, and it’s time to show the world I am not going anywhere.”

It was the moment of truth for Jasmine Artiga in March. A long-awaited world title opportunity against Regina Chavez. After ten hard rounds at the Orange Show Events Centre, San Bernardino, Artiga prevailed by a majority decision and left the ring the new WBA super-flyweight champion of the world.

“Winning the world title was everything I’ve worked toward since day one,” Artiga told FightPost. Ever since the first time I walked into a boxing gym, my father looked me in the eye and said, “I can make you a world champion.” We never saw this as a dream. We saw it as a mission. We prepared for it, expected it, and when the moment came, I was ready. My clearest memory is seeing the pride in my father’s face, knowing all the sacrifices we made had finally paid off. That will be a moment I forever cherish. The emotions were overwhelming. It took a minute to process it all.”

It’s been a long journey for the Florida native. Artiga turned professional in 2017, and after fourteen fights, winning that WBA bauble is the obvious highlight of her career to date. “Well, of course,” Artiga says of whether the world title victory made all the hard work and sacrifice worthwhile. “It’s been so much harvesting for years, and finally, to be able to reap the reward and enjoy the fruits of my labour has made every second worth it.”

Artiga will return to action next month when she makes the first defence of her WBA title against the top-ranked Linn Sandström in Orlando, Florida, on a Most Valuable Promotions show.

“This first title defence is probably the most important fight to date for me,” Artiga says of her upcoming maiden title defence. “Once you become the champion, you become the target, as everything set in I find myself even hungrier and more determined to prove why I am the world champion, and it’s time to show the world I am not going anywhere.”

Jake Paul and his Most Valuable Promotions have heavily invested their time and money into women’s boxing. A deep and talented stable of fighters that includes the likes of Amanda Serrano, Alycia Baumgardner, Ellie Scotney, Chantelle Cameron, and many others.

“MVP is the face of women’s boxing,” Artiga told me. “What Jake, Nakisa, Mike Leonardi, Amanda Serrano, and their team have done has changed the game. And now it’s on us women fighters to show the world why we belong on that stage and why women’s boxing is only going to keep rising.”

Artiga will face Sandström on August 23rd, a fighter who has overcome a difficult entry into the sport to force her way into the world title picture. The fight against Artiga will be her second attempt at winning a world title after a losing effort against the unbeaten Clara Lescurat in 2024. Artiga is respectful of her first challenger but is confident of retaining her world title. “Linn is the number one fighter in the WBA rankings, and I feel it’s my job to show that I am the champion. This is my time, and I’m focused on executing my game plan and leaving, no doubt. I train to win. That’s the only outcome I accept.”

If Jasmine Artiga does leave that Florida ring victorious, you sense it’s only the beginning for her. Thoughts of unifying and going undisputed are firmly on her mind. “I want every belt in the division, and this is one more mission to complete to get us closer to another belt.”