daisy ocasio

Daisy Ocasio (born November 3, 1964) is a well known Puerto Rican athlete. A participant of Marathon and Track and Field races, she is also a former female boxer. Ocasio was born in Vega Baja, to the north coast of Puerto Rico. Although she and Ossie Ocasio shared one sport, boxing, it is not known whether the two have a family connection. Daisy Ocasio had an accomplished career in the running fields, holding various records at different international races. In 1991, she participated as a Track and Field runner at the Havana, Cuba Pan American Games. She also participated at various Olympics. Ocasio's photos were commongly seen on Puerto Rican newspapers during the early 1990s, when she was at the top of her career as a runner. She continued on running, and winning races, until the late 1990s. Many Puerto Ricans came to identify her, just as they did with Angelita Lind during the 1980s, as one of the most important runners of Puerto Rico. That's why, when she announced she would become a female boxer, she caused some shock among many of her fans. On July 23, 1998, she debuted as a boxer, defeating Andrea Figueroa by a knockout in round two at Vega Baja. Only nineteen days later, she beat Lizette Pizarro by a knockout in the first round, also in her hometown. On November 7 of that year, she beat Marischa Sjau, in Lake Worth, Florida, to mark her United States debut. By then, she had moved to Florida to train. On March 3, 1999, she beat Pamela Clarke, by then considered a top fighter, by a knockout in three rounds at Miami. Then, on December 8 came what could be considered as her best victory: facing future world champion Patricia Demick of Chile, Ocasio won by a six round unanimous decision. On April 15, 2004, in what would turn out to be her last fight, she was knocked out by future world champion Britt Van Buskirk, in Temecula, California. She retired from women's boxing with a record of five wins and one loss, with three knockout wins. Currently in her 40s, Ocasio now leads a relatively quiet life, and has returned to live full time in Puerto Rico.

Daisy Ocasio

See also