Las Cruces amateur boxer Samantha Ginithan makes history with Golden Gloves title
Last month, the name Samantha Ginithan wasn't well known in the world of amateur boxing in the United States.
But a standout performance at the National Golden Gloves Tournament now has the 32-year-old Las Cruces resident on the map.
Ginithan went 3-0 at the national tournament to win the 146-pound championship, defeating Carson Crawford in the semifinals and Algeria Lee Johnson in the championship bout.
The three fights she had in Tulsa matched all of the amateur fights she had prior to the national tournament.
"It was a great feeling to win it and to win it meant so much to my team and to myself," Ginithan said. "But the hard work that was put into this was meaningful and prepared me for this moment. I felt good at the national tournament and things went well. I boxed well, was aggressive and was patient. I used what I learned in the gym and believed in myself. My team believed in me."
Ginithan is the first New Mexico woman to win a title at the Elite Level at the Golden Gloves Tournament. She trains in Las Cruces at the Doña Ana County Boxing Gym with Rene Carrasco, whose daughter Ariana, is a top amateur in the United States.
"Not surprised by her success," said Rene Carrasco when asked about Ginithan's accomplishment. "She's a great athlete and she learns fast. Several months ago, we began the conversation about her trying boxing and she's got a great attitude and determination. With more experience, I think she can do great things. She comes to the gym prepared and when she's with us, she is 100 percent focused."
Ginithan grew up in Las Cruces, moved to the Dallas area and was a standout high school basketball player and earned a chance to play at the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, New Mexico.
She later made her way back to Las Cruces and continued her athletic career in judo and mixed martial arts.
"Judo and MMA have really helped me in boxing and I love the competitiveness in boxing," she said. "It was tough getting some MMA fights and boxing has given me some opportunities."
When she's not competing, Ginithan works for Electronic Caregiver, a Las Cruces health technology firm.
"I've been fortunate to work for a great place which works with me and my athletic competitions," Ginithan said. "We'll see where this takes me, but it'll be worth it moving forward.
Rene Carrascco said he will look to enter Ginithan into two tournaments before the USA Nationals in December in Lubbock, Texas. Ginithan plans to compete at 139 pounds at the USA Nationals and actually was about six pounds under the 146-pound weight limit at the Golden Gloves.
"We're hoping to get her some more fights to get ready for nationals and continue to build on the momentum she built at the Golden Gloves," Rene Carrasco said. "She beat some good fighters at the Golden Gloves and she knows what she has to work on to be even better."
Ginithan is part of a talented group of female boxers in the borderland. Besides Ariana Carrasco, El Paso features pro boxers Jennifer and Stephanie Han and standout amateurs Ivy Enriquez and Kayla Gomez.
"There is a lot of great talent here in Las Cruces and in the border area," said Ginithan. "We'll see about the future after some more fights and if all goes well, going pro is something I'd like."
More: See boxing photos from pro card El Paso and Las Cruces boxers sweep in pro boxing matches
Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Las Cruces amateur boxer Samantha Ginithan makes history with Golden Gloves title