There is a lot that Anabel Ortiz has accomplished during her 14-year pro career, yet this weekend will serve as a first for the long-reigning strawweight titlist.  

Mexico City’s Ortiz makes her long-sought U.S. debut as she attempts the 13th defense of her strawweight crown. It comes versus unbeaten challenger Seniesa Estrada (19-0, 8KOs) in a bout which will air live on DAZN from Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas (Saturday, 9:00 p.m. ET).

“I am very happy to be here. I have worked very hard to fulfill my dream of fighting in the United States,” Ortiz stated during their final pre-fight press conference Thursday afternoon. “I am ready for this opportunity.”

Ortiz (31-3, 4KOs) has primarily fought in her native Mexico throughout a career which has seen two title reigns including her current run dating back to 2013. The 34-year-old will enter the ring carrying a 21-fight win streak, with her last loss coming in 2012 and all three of her career defeats coming to pound-for-pound level entrants—Naoko Fujioka, Ibeth Zamora and Yessica Bopp.

Simply put, it takes the best to beat Ortiz. Still, she enters the ring as a considerable underdog, with Estrada—a well-credentialed contender from East Los Angeles—as much as -1000 according to some sportsbooks.

None of that offends the defending titlist, who enjoys the mindset of having to constantly fight for respect.

“I train as if I am the challenger,” insists Ortiz, whose last title defense came in a 10-round unanimous decision win over Maria Milano in August 2019. “I am prepared for this fight and ready to retain my title.”

The bout serves as the chief support to an all-Dallas welterweight showdown between Vergil Ortiz Jr. (16-0, 16KOs) and former junior welterweight titlist Maurice Hooker (27-1-3, 18KOs).

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for krikya360.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox