Just three months after her last fight, Yokasta Valle is ready to return to the ring on Thursday when she puts her IBF minimumweight crown on the line against WBO champion Thi Thu Nhi Nguyen in San Jose, Costa Rica.
"This is a dream come true and it comes with a sacrifice of many years. It's not an easy fight and there's a reason she's a champion too. There's not much boxing in Vietnam, but there's a reason she got there," Valle said when speaking to DAZN.
"You could say the same about me, because I'm from Costa Rica, but I'm here representing. Not only my country, but also Latinos, those of us who want to make a difference, and also in women's boxing."
Valle, who hasn't stoppted training since her last outing, is expecting a tough challenge against the WBO champion, who despite having only five professional fights under her belt, has plenty of experience and relies on a tough, pressure-packed boxing style.
"I know the kind of fight I'm going to have. I've fought Japanese, Filipino and Mexican women who are very strong and they are some of the toughest fights I've had. When you fight someone like Nguyen, that's where you test yourself if you're really ready for boxing and that's where you grow as a boxer.
"Fighters like her are strong because of their discipline, but I have that too. Those are the fights that I also like, because I want to give the people a show and I want them to enjoy the fight."
Valle will be looking to put on an impressive display in front of her home fans in what is hopefully a step towards becoming the first undisputed Latin woman champion.
"I don't think about the pressure of the winning streak or the number of defences. I just focus on what I want. It's hard to get there, but it's harder to stay there and I've always been thinking that I have to train hard, I demand more and more of myself. I have to be 200 per cent ready, because I want to win all the titles. It's not easy, but it's not impossible either, I'm gradually focusing," Valle added.
With what she has achieved in the ring, and also her participation in a dance reality show in her home country, Valle is a popular figure in Costa Rica and is hoping to set a good example for the young women who come after her, whether they want to be boxers or not.
"I like to get involved with my people, to be the voice of those who are not. That's why for a long time I was with a school where I taught boxing to women, as well as self-defence and discipline (which had to stop because of the pandemic, but which she intends to resume).
"I also give motivational talks. Sport and women are changing and I like to be part of that. Knowing that I can contribute," Valle concluded.