The first Hispanic to win a world Heavyweight championship in boxing was male boxer John Ruiz of Puerto Rico.
[2][3][4] Salazar debuted as a professional boxer on March 25, 2001, defeating Denise Callahan by a four round decision in Hayward, California.
She suffered her first career defeat that night, being beaten on points over four rounds by former NCAA basketball star Vonda Ward, who ran her record to 16 victories and no losses after beating Salazar.
[citation needed] Salazar rebounded with her first knockout win, however, when she beat Pesente in their third bout, held on May 24, in Vallejo, California.
[citation needed] On 10 February 2007, she fought Vonda Ward for the inaugural WBC female heavyweight title, losing by unanimous decision.
[6] More than seven years later, on 8 November 2014, Salazar won the biggest title in her career, winning the WBC female heavyweight championship, defeating Tanzee Daniel by unanimous decision.