Valley Boxer Honored as Community Mourns Athlete

The Coachella Valley sports scene is experiencing both celebration and heartbreak. On the national stage, professional boxer Gabriela “Sweet Poison” Fundora continues to make history. The 23-year-old, born and raised in the Coachella Valley, has been named International Female Fighter of the Year by Boxing News International, marking another major milestone in her rapidly rising career.

Fundora’s most recent fight took place on home turf at Fantasy Springs Casino, where she defended all five of her world titles in front of a hometown crowd against Canada’s Alexis Kubicki. Since turning professional in 2021, Fundora has surged through the ranks and remains undefeated with a perfect 17–0 record, including nine knockouts. Her success has made her one of the most accomplished young fighters in the sport and a source of pride for the local community.

At the same time, sadness has struck the high school sports community. Michael Ramos Jr., a former football standout at Yucca Valley High School who graduated earlier this year, remains at Desert Regional Medical Center following a weekend incident. Doctors have since determined that he has no brain activity and he has been declared legally brain dead. In a statement, his family asked for privacy, prayers, and support as they spend time with him.

A GoFundMe account has been established to assist the family, with a link available on the NBC Palm Springs website. Local athletes, coaches, and residents continue to share messages of support during this difficult time, underscoring the close-knit nature of the Coachella Valley sports community.