Lindenmuth captures WIBA title in Thailand

It was worth the trip for Katherine “Kat” Lindenmuth.

Forget about typical souvenirs, after a six-day excursion from her home in Bosque Farms to Thailand and back. Lindenmuth was able to pack a Women’s International Boxing Association championship belt in her suitcase.

Over the weekend in Bangkok, Lindenmuth (7-4) scored a second round TKO over local favorite Pornpimon Pongpaew (4-5) for the WIBA minimum weight title, around 105 pounds.

Lindenmuth, who will turn 36 years old in July, dominated from the opening bell.

“The switch came on. I couldn’t turn it off,” said Lindenmuth Monday during a phone interview from Los Angeles International Airport. “I just went full pressure, full steam ahead,” with the referee calling the fight just seconds after the second round started.

“I felt so happy,” she said. “The accumulation of all the work we did, the travel,” including cutting weight. “I earned it.”

Lindenmuth fought on a card featuring 17 bouts, and the fans seemed to appreciate her style.

“We’re brawlers and punchers,” Lindenmuth said about the reputation of New Mexico fighters. “I don’t know if they were ready for that, but they were excited to see it.”

Despite the stress and pressure the trip brought Lindenmuth, trainer Anthony Rosales, of Los Lunas, and her entire support group, it was a victory in and outside the ring.

“It was really amazing and humbling,” Lindenmuth said of the experience, including how well the people of Thailand treated her. “It just made you feel a lot more a part of life. I loved the area, the people,” adding that more than ever she wants to travel the world.

“Hopefully, we caught some eyes of people,” especially boxing promoters. “There are a lot of other titles out there that I feel like I’m worthy enough to fight for. We just have to get the opportunity.”

On Monday while in Los Angeles, Lindenmuth said she was glad to be back on American soil, anxious to return home later that night. Her calendar includes a dentist appointment, wrangling her three sons, the oldest at 17, and quickly getting back to the gym.

As she posed Tuesday for a photograph on Bosque Farms Boulevard, with the championship belt slung over her shoulder, thoughts of Bangkok were still fresh.

“I felt really proud to have showed up so well for New Mexico — for our little Bosque Farms, Los Lunas area. For America in general.”

Plus, there is excitement about what may be next after taking something of a risk to fight so far from home.

“That’s why we took it,” she said. “We wanted it to open doors. We wanted to show that I’m at that level, that I can fight at that level.”