The boxing world has lost one of its most inspiring figures with the passing of Argentinian legend Alejandra ‘La Locomotora’ Oliveras. He died Monday at age 47 after being hospitalized for two weeks following a stroke.
Oliveras shattered barriers in women’s boxing, becoming the first woman to capture six world titles spanning five different weight classes. This unprecedented achievement earned her recognition in the Guinness World Records and secured her place as a global icon in the sport.
Her journey began in the small village of El Carmen, Jujuy, where she was born in 1978. Despite facing significant personal challenges early in life, including becoming a mother at 15 and enduring domestic abuse, Oliveras found the courage to forge a different path.
“Tired of being hit, I found strength I didn’t know I had and gave him a tremendous punch in the stomach and left with my baby,” she once recalled about her escape from an abusive relationship.
Her nickname ‘Locomotora’ meaning ‘engine’ in English, perfectly captured both her relentless combat spirit and formidable punching power. Drawing inspiration from boxing legends like Mike Tyson, she caught the attention of respected Cordoban trainer Carlos Tello, who helped transform her raw talent into championship-level skill.
Oliveras made her professional debut in 2005 and quickly made history the following year by becoming the first Argentine woman to win a world title on foreign soil, defeating Jackie Navas in Mexico to claim the WBC super bantamweight championship. The victory came via technical knockout in the ninth round on May 20, 2006.
Throughout her career, she competed across multiple weight divisions, claiming titles in super bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, super lightweight, and super featherweight categories. Her most memorable battles included epic encounters with fellow Argentine Marcela ‘La Tigresa’ Acuña and Lely Luz Flórez, particularly at the prestigious Luna Park venue in Buenos Aires.
After losing her super bantamweight title to Acuña in December 2008, Oliveras continued her championship pursuits. She captured the WBC lightweight crown in 2012 by knocking out Jessica Villafranca, then successfully defended it against numerous challengers including Diana Ayala, Migdalia Asprilla, Paulina Cardona, Dayana Cordero, and Calista Silgado.
In 2013, she added the vacant WBC super lightweight title to her collection with a victory over Florez. Her professional career concluded in 2019 with an impressive record of 33 wins, three losses, and two draws across 15 years of competition.
Beyond her ring accomplishments, Oliveras was inducted into the Latin American Boxing Hall of Fame in 2024, cementing her status as one of the sport’s most significant figures.
Following retirement, she channeled her passion for boxing into community service, establishing Team Locomotora, a gymnasium in Santa Fe that provided free boxing instruction to aspiring fighters. “My gym has always been about teaching, supporting, and helping people who want to let off steam,” she reflected on her commitment to giving back.
Her post-boxing endeavors extended into political and social activism, as she pursued a congressional seat while advocating against gender-based violence, prejudice, and inequality in sports. Her advocacy work demonstrated the same determination that made her a champion in the ring.
Reflecting on the source of her remarkable strength throughout her career, Oliveras once explained that it “didn’t come from physical strength but from my soul,” a testament to the inner fortitude that carried her through personal hardships and professional triumphs.
Oliveras leaves behind two sons, Alejandro, 31, and Alexis, 27, along with a legacy that transformed women’s boxing and inspired countless individuals to overcome adversity through determination and courage.
