Emily Martinez first Holland female boxer to win state Golden Gloves, reach nationals

Holland boxer Emily Martinez won the Michigan Golden Gloves state championship and qualified for the national championships.

Holland boxer Emily Martinez won the Michigan Golden Gloves state championship and qualified for the national championships.

"I knew what I had to do to win. There was a key moment in the third round. I was able to knock her down with an overhand right. I am pretty proud of myself for that. I have never seen anyone crumble from a punch," Martinez said. "It was my first time knocking someone down. I felt in the zone. I was in a trance. There are parts of the fight where I wasn't getting hit and I was able to tune things out and visually see everything. That is when I started winning. I had a calm mindset."

That is what her coaches were looking for, especially the rapid punching.

"She threw a lot of punches and used her talent," coach Thomas Amaro said. "The first fight didn't go that well and she picked up the pace. It is really big. There is no girl from Holland who has ever won this - nobody - so it means a lot to us and to her. The first matchup they had, she wasn't all there mentally, so we focused on that."

Martinez also said the mental side of the first fight was the key. It was her first fight in the open division, meaning 3-minute rounds instead of 2-minute rounds, leading her to overthink.

Holland boxer Emily Martinez won the Michigan Golden Gloves state championship and qualified for the national championships.

"I was exhausted. I was nervous about the time difference. That was part of the reason I couldn't focus. I was worried about endurance and paced myself too much. I knew I had to do more the second matchup," Martinez said. "I knew she was pissed that she got knocked down, so I let her tire herself out and took control."

Now, Martinez is looking to do the same on a national level.

"I need to trust myself. That is the biggest thing, trusting by abilities and letting my hands fly," she said. "This is the big leagues and I don't have time to waste."

Holland boxer Emily Martinez won the Michigan Golden Gloves state championship and qualified for the national championships.

Her right-hand is strong and she has worked her way up and down the body, giving her a plethora of combinations and attack strategies to work with.

Holland boxer Emily Martinez won the Michigan Golden Gloves state championship and qualified for the national championships.

"I have to start utilizing that power now. The last win proved that it was there, now I have to use it," she said.

Martinez is hoping to turn professional later in the year.

"The goal, ultimately, is to go professional and start making money doing this." she said. "That is my dream and I know I am capable of it."

Holland boxer Emily Martinez won the Michigan Golden Gloves state championship and qualified for the national championships.

Holland boxer Emily Martinez won the Michigan Golden Gloves state championship and qualified for the national championships.

Holland boxer Emily Martinez won the Michigan Golden Gloves state championship and qualified for the national championships.

Holland boxer Emily Martinez won the Michigan Golden Gloves state championship and qualified for the national championships.

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as  Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland boxer Emily Martinez wins state Golden Gloves, reach nationals