Rejuvenated Jajaira Gonzalez: “Only I can beat me, but I can’t mess up this second chance”
In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, 2014 boxing Youth Olympic champion Gonzalez reveals how her mentality has changed after a four-year hiatus, and how she aims to restore some pride to USA women’s boxing.
Boxing
After years in the boxing wilderness, Jajaira Gonzalez is set to return to the Olympic stage.
When the USA prodigy won lightweight gold at the Youth Olympic Games Nanjing 2014 to go with junior world titles in 2013, 2014, and 2015, many predicted that she would be the next big thing in the ring.
But after a few tough losses and issues in her private life, Gonzalez’s physical and mental health deteriorated, resulting in a four-year break from the sport in 2018.
Now, aged 26, the California native is set to return to the Olympic stage after securing an Olympic quota at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.
“Not a lot of people get second chances like this, so I cannot take it for granted again, so I’m giving it my all,” Gonzalez told Olympics.com.
“The new Jajaira Gonzalez is a warrior and a very strong, independent woman, and I can’t mess it up this time.”
To understand the significance of Gonzalez's new mindset, one must understand the difficulties she has overcome over the past few years.
With a stellar junior career behind her, the boxing prodigy was expected to make the USA Olympic team for Rio 2016.
But overconfidence, and perhaps distraction, set in.
After losing to Mikaela Mayer in the deciding bout and failing to make the team, Gonzalez’s physical and mental health deteriorated due to ongoings in her personal life, culminating in a first-round loss at the 2018 nationals.
“I only trained for two weeks instead of two months for an important tournament like nationals, so I gained 35 pounds and was depressed,” she said.
How Jajaira Gonzalez returned to boxing with 'an elevated mindset'
Citing mental health issues, Gonzalez decided to take a break from the sport.
But what was only supposed to be a one-year break from competitive boxing turned into a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After spending a lot of time with a therapist and reconnecting with her family and training, the California native decided to return to the ring in 2021.
“I really missed fighting and competing. I feel happiest and most at home in the ring and I was lost without it,” she said.
“I returned with an elevated mindset. I used to let a lot of things get to me, instead of letting them motivate me. It made me hungrier, and angry but in a good way where I can implement that into the sport.
“I’m a different fighter now. I fixed a lot of the mistakes that I used to make even though I was still winning, I’m a lot more technical now. I don’t just rush in and throw punches and look sloppy.
“Only I can beat me, but I can’t mess up this second chance. I have a very strong mindset and I’m very confident. I don’t feel like anyone can beat me, and I don’t feel like anyone is on my level.”
As someone that suffers with anxiety, Gonzalez was armed with some useful techniques that help her maintain good mental health.
“I started journaling, which changed my life. I always do that and when things get tough, I also get outside and get some fresh air on my face,” she said.
“Talking to people like my therapist also helps. I used to think it was kind of weak to do that but it helps a lot because instead of bottling things up and walking around angry or depressed, I get it out of my system. It’s all about controlling the controllables.
Jajaira Gonzalez's path back to the USA Boxing team
Despite all of her improvements, Gonzalez’ return to the USA team required a large slice of good fortune. Or perhaps it was fate.
Eight months before the Pan American Games 2023, she missed out on the national high performance team at 57 kg as she was ranked behind compatriot Alyssa Mendoza.
But after another major disappointment, Gonzalez was thrown a lifeline.
Rashida Ellis, the 2022 World champion at 60 kg, was suddenly ruled out of contention for a place on the national team at that weight due to disciplinary reasons.
Gonzalez was selected to compete for that position and won her match, meaning that she was back on the national team in a new weight category.
Camila Piñeiro of Ecuador in action against Jajaira Gonzalez of United Stated during round quarterfinals Santiago 2023 Pan American Games at Nunoa´s Olympic Training Center on October 25 in Santiago, Chile. Gonzalez secured an Olympic quota for winning this bout.
USA middleweight Claressa Shields won Olympic gold in the first two editions of Olympic women’s boxing at London 2012 and Rio 2016.
However, the US women’s team failed to win gold or silver in any weight category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021, and Gonzalez feels that she could be the one to fix that trend.
“Converting my Youth Olympic Games gold medal into an Olympic gold medal would be a dream come true, and it’s the only thing that’s on my mind.
“I won’t stop until I get it.”
Watch Jajaira in action in the 2023 Pan American Games live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the official Olympics app.