EXCLUSIVE: Selina Barrios Breaking Barriers in Men’s Boxing

San Antonio– In history, the Aztec gods and goddesses were a bloodthirsty group whose constant battles with each other led to a cycle of death and rebirth for all humanity. One particular goddess, Coyolxauhqui, was an Aztec moon goddess and warrior in which part of her story describes how she led her 400 brothers to battle.

Although Coyolxauhqui’s story ends in a very grim manner (a simple Google search could tell you the full story), one part of her story stood out the most, she was a fearless leader of men.

In 2023, Selina Barrios, similar to Coyolxauhqui’s story,  leads her brother, former WBA super lightweight champion Mario Barrios as one of his co-trainers when he battles inside of the ring. Both Selina and Mario have been competing since their mother put them in boxing at an early age. Both siblings fell in love with the sport and the rest is history.

Photo Credit: @BadBoyVisualz

29-year-old Barrios, nicknamed the “Aztec Queen”, fought professionally as a lightweight and super lightweight from 2017-2019 (6-1-0), and began working as a trainer since her last fight in August of 2019. Not only does she train her brother, Mario, but she also trains other boxers as well.

After being alongside her brother after his comeback win against Jovanie Santiago at the Alamodome on February 11th, Barrios was happy to be by his side.

“It feels amazing.” Barrios said, “Since day one, I’ve always been in my brother’s corner. To actually be here firsthand and to be able to be right in his corner (during a co-main event), it’s a surreal feeling. It’s one of those feelings where you never dreamt of actually working the corner, or actually being right there ringside.”

One of the up-and-coming professional boxers Selina trains, Jaleel Reddick, isn’t surprised. “[Selina] is passionate, relentless, and extremely dedicated.” He elaborated further, “She is at the gym every day during my camps to make sure I am where I need to be come fight night. She eats, sleeps, and breathes boxing. She breaks down boxing film to create a game plan for me on how to dominate in the ring.”

Reddick’s sentiments are accurate. Because not only is Selina a boxing trainer, she’s a single mother as well. Oftentimes, she brings her daughter along with her to training to maintain a work-life balance.

“Sometimes twice a week, 7 days a week, or sometimes twice a day I have to train my fighters. It is time-consuming, and it does take some time away from my daughter.” Barrios adds, “Whenever I do have free time, or even if I have to take her with me to the gym, she comes with me. I just try my best to basically make it where I’m still giving my daughter time and I’m still there watching her grow and helping her with whatever she needs. Whether it’s school, being outside, or doing whatever she wants.”

Photo Credit: @BadBoyVisualz

Barrios makes it clear to her fighters her daughter always comes first. However, she always makes it a point to prioritize her fighters as well at the same time. It’s a struggle that many single moms face, and Barrios is no exception, despite her impressive title of training some of the most elite athletes in the world.

“My boxers are very understanding of the fact that I am a mother. I always make my fighters a priority. Their health and their lives are in my hands as their coach. It all comes down to communicating these things with them.”

Selina also deals with barriers most women face in male-dominated fields. Her role as a co-trainer in men’s boxing is a rarity, and sometimes, men have a hard time respecting her boundaries as a trainer.

“It is a lot different for me. Even as a trainer, when I take my fighters to different gyms to go spar, you do get other male coaches who try to overpower your voice by telling my fighters what to do knowing I am right there. I guess men have this entitlement where they believe ‘she’s a woman so I can say basically whatever I want because it’s okay.’ I’ve had minor altercations with some coaches over this. If the roles were switched, I wouldn’t be doing this to their fighters.”

When asked if male coaches try to overstep other male coaches’ voices in boxing gyms, Barrios said, “No.” Despite these barriers, Barrios still has a ton of respect from other men.

“I’ve only seen a handful of women in corners, not a lot.” Ray Flores, combat sports commentator says. Flores has been a part of over a thousand boxing events in his career. “We’ve seen the legendary Ann Wolfe who was the lead trainer for James Kirkland. We saw the best version of Kirkland when she was his head trainer.”

Flores had nothing but positive things to say of Barrios. “I think Selina being in Mario’s corner is an important moment in the sport. She has a bright future in being a trainer, especially working with Bob Santos who is one of the best in the game. I look at her current role in Mario’s corner as being a top assistant coach. Make no mistake, she will be the lead trainer of young up-and-coming fighters sometime in her future.”

Selina’s brother, Mario, is proud of his sister’s accomplishments. “I’m very proud of her. I brag about her any chance I’m able to. I’m proud of the woman she is inside and outside of the ring. Now that I have her in my corner, it’s a great feeling.”

It’s a family affair 🫶@Boxer_Barrios on what it means to have his sister, Selina, in his corner #BarriosSantiago | #VargasFoster pic.twitter.com/OpqYG98w6v

— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) February 12, 2023

Barrios said her parents and her brother encouraged her to become a trainer. She believes more women need to be encouraged to become trainers should they have the credentials to back them up.

Reddick agrees,

“I think women trainers like Selina can definitely bring to the table what male trainers bring to the table. Selina brings more to the table than a lot of male coaches I have had in the past. I feel she will go down as an all-time great at the rate she’s headed.”

Like Coyolxauhqui, Selina is a leader amongst men, including her brother. But she encourages women as well. As far as advice she would give to a woman who wants to be in her role one day, she offers this advice,

“I say just go for it. Of course, you’re going to get those people that are going to discourage you and want to talk down on you. It happens to me to this day regardless of my background. As women, we have to stay strong and uplift one another and encourage each other to tell these men ‘We have the same platform as you’. We know just as much as men do. Don’t be afraid, just go for it.”