Eye Surgery Forces Riverside’s Sindy Amador to Retire

In a town that was formed in 1870, with a population of more than 300,000, you would think Riverside, Ca. would have more boxing world champions considering the many boxing gyms scattered around its vicinity.

Of all the prizefighters in Riverside, it was tiny Sindy Amador who emerged as the first and only man or woman to win a world title when she defeated the talented Amaris Quintana for the IFBA junior flyweight world title in October 2013. Riverside will be world title-less now.

Amador announced her retirement last week when she suffered an eye injury. She was supposed to fight Ava Knight on Nov. 13, but after several eye operations the diminutive Riverside boxer was told by doctors her boxing career was over.

“I received the most shocking news of my life from the doctors, that I can no longer continue to fight,” said Amador, who was preparing at full-speed for her fight with Knight. “After sparring I was working on the mitts with coach Ruben and I felt that something moved inside my left eye.”

Doctors told her she suffered a torn retina and subsequently she endured three operations to repair the damage.

“It’s unfortunate she sustained an injury in sparring,” said boxing trainer Ruben Castanon. “As trainers we look out for her best interest with her health and this is where we say she starts her life not fighting.”

Amador began boxing professionally in 2010 and was popular for her aggressive windmill style of attack. She refined her offense during the last year and became more defensive-minded. She wanted to challenge Knight at a higher weight class but was immediately shut down after the eye injury.

“The fight was going to be televised and the purse finally would be better,” said Amador, 30. “I think God gave me what I wanted: a successful career, a beautiful team, and the fortune to be a world champion.”

Charlie Perez, who manages Amador, said he was sad to see her career end before her biggest fight. But he says Amador will be involved in boxing.

“She may be done fighting in the ring, but she is not done with the sport. She will stay on and help us in the gym training our young fighters.”

In a town that boasts world title contenders like Chris Arreola, Josesito Lopez and Mauricio Herrera, being the first in history to win a world title for a town known for boxing has lasting merit.

“I want to keep working out, look for a stable job and go to school, one of my dreams is get involve into fitness and become a fitness model and compete,” Amador said about life after boxing. “I know that will keep me motivated and will be a beautiful journey as well.”

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