Kaliesha West, who grew up in Moreno Valley and works at Loma Linda University Medical Center, won a 10-round title fight by unanimous decision in Pomona on Saturday Oct. 6.
West defeated Christina Ruiz of San Antonio, Texas, to become International Female Boxers Association Super Bantamweight champion before vocal supporters at the Finish Line Sports Grill on White Avenue.
West outmaneuvered Ruiz, who appeared bigger and stronger at times. But Ruiz was no match for West's tenacity and technique, according to judges of the bout.
The contest was the featured main event of the boxing card "KO Cancer - Boxing For The Cure," presented by Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions, in association with Diamond's Love Foundation and The Susan G. Komen Foundation. The event was created to help the fight against cancer and to increase cancer awareness.
Mosley, the former three-division world champion, appeared with West at a workout in September at Canyon Springs High in Moreno Valley.
West, 24, has been keyed up for boxing most of her life. She won a 2003 National Golden Gloves championship when she was a schoolgirl in Moreno Valley.
She is the recent World Boxing Organization Female Bantamweight Champion, according to the WBO. She vacated that title to fight Saturday for the vacant International Female Boxers Association Super Bantamweight crown.
West turned pro in 2006. At age 18 she is now 16-1-3 with 4 knockouts. Her most recent fight before Saturday was April 14, 2012, when she defeated Claudia Lopez by unanimous decision in Rosarito, Mexico.
