RIJKER DOESN'T GET HER CHANCE.Byline: Michael Rosenthal Daily News Staff Writer What was supposed to be the biggest night in Lucia Rijker's life turned into her most disappointing. Rijker, who trains in Van Nuys, was scheduled to fight Maria Nieves-Garcia on the Oscar De La Hoya-Julio Cesar Chavez Noun 1. Cesar Chavez - United States labor leader who organized farm workers (born 1927) Cesar Estrada Chavez, Chavez card here Friday. But Nieves-Garcia never showed up. The Mexican fighter reportedly lost her passport in Tijuana, from where she was supposed to fly this morning to Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. , and an attempt to drive her illegally over the border apparently failed. Nieves-Garcia was a replacement for Laura Serrano Laura Serrano (born October 20, 1967) is a Mexican boxer. Serrano almost became a boxer by default, but soon she showed she was born with the talent to become a champion. , who suffered a hand injury. As a result of Nieves' inability to get into the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , Rijker lost a unique opportunity to gain significant international exposure. ``What can I say?'' said Rijker, who was devastated dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. by the news. ``I don't want to feel anything. `` . . . I was injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. (in the left shoulder) and worked through it, I dieted, I was in the best shape of my life. I was fighting on a big card. It meant a lot to me.'' Rijker, who is from Holland, wasn't the only one disappointed: Her brother and friends flew in from overseas to see her fight. The only reason she stepped into the ring, however, was to wave to the crowd. ``They bought four $400 tickets. That's a lot of money,'' she said. ``They came to see me fight, not to get into the ring and say I'm sorry. ``It's OK, though. I get over it.'' |
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