Crystal Morales & Rhonda Luna Battle at OC Hangar

If you know anything about women’s boxing, then discovering that Rhonda Luna fights Crystal Morales should make you consider heading toward Orange County.

Former world champion Luna (16-3-2) returns to the wars against former Mexican team member Morales (7-8-; pictured) in a lightweight match on Thursday June 6, at the OC Hangar in Costa Mesa. Is it coincidence that it’s also D-Day?

Both female boxers have experience and an attitude that says let’s light a fire and see what burns down. Inside the boxing ring neither boxer has been accused of being boring.

Luna’s last entrance in the ring took place two years ago in Peru where she lost a decision to junior lightweight world champion Kina Malpartida. It was a rematch of a fight that Luna won a few years earlier. The former college softball star is never overmatched and can box or punch. A lot of punching.

Morales hails from Oxnard and in the seaside town boxing is serious business in an area that’s produced all action fighters like Robert Garcia, Fernando Vargas, Victor Ortiz, and Brandon Rios. She carries on a tradition of prizefighting with maximum intensity and does not refuse a fight.

“I know that she is a tough girl, but I like that,” said Morales. “I always like a challenge.”

Five years passed as Morales left boxing to raise her child. But she always knew a return to the boxing ring was inevitable.

“It took me a couple of months to get back into shape,” said Morales, 26, who spent the years caring for her daughter before returning. “I love being a mom, but boxing is what I love to do.”

Luna is an athlete and knowing that; it’s easy to understand that she enjoys competition on a sports level whether it’s boxing or playing on a women’s football team.

“My mother thinks I’m crazy,” says Luna, 35, who plays fullback and wide receiver for the L.A. Pacific Warriors semi-pro football team. “My team will be there in their jerseys Thursday. I also plan on wearing mine after the fight.”

One fighter who is very good friends with both Luna and Morales is female boxing icon Mia St. John.

“It’s going to be a very tough fight,” says St. John, who plans at attend the bout.

Luna helped train St. John for her last fight against Cecilia Braekhus in Denmark in April.

“It has been awhile since I’ve fought but I’ve never left the ring,” said Luna who then plays her last football game of the year on Saturday. “I live life as a fighter so the time off just made me hungrier.”

Morales feels the same. Boxing is not just a pastime.

“My biggest dream is to become a world champion. I won’t stop until I get what I want,” says Morales. “I’m excited to be back in the game.”

You can say fans are excited too for the return of Morales and Luna.

For tickets and information call Roy Englebrecht Promotions at (949) 760-3131 or go to www.fightcluboc.com