Maria Paulina Ángel Velásquez, known professionally as Paulina Ángel, was born on May 8, 2001, in Medellín, Colombia. Raised in a loving yet hardworking family, she was inspired by her parents’ perseverance—her mother’s unwavering support and her father’s demanding workweek shaped her character and competitive spirit from a young age. Eager to extend her time away from home like her sister, she asked to join her in basketball but was ultimately redirected to boxing—an introduction that would ignite a lifelong passion.
Ángel began boxing at age 16 under the guidance of coach Manuel Antonio Mendoza, initially training for fun. A month into her training, she was matched with a sparring partner, and although age restrictions prevented her from competing at first, she quickly discovered her resilience and determination in the amateur ranks. Her early bouts, including losses, only intensified her drive—she treated each setback as a learning opportunity and emerged more dedicated, smiling through adversity both in and out of the ring.
Turning professional in 2020, Ángel transitioned swiftly through multiple weight classes—featherweight, super-featherweight, lightweight, and super-lightweight—and established herself as a rising talent. In March 2024, she clinched the WBA Light-Latin American (Fedelatin) super-lightweight title, defeating Mónica Henao via technical decision when her opponent sustained an injury mid-bout; Ángel was leading on all judges’ scorecards at the time. As of now, Ángel’s professional record stands at 7 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws, with 3 victories by knockout, and she is slated to challenge for the WBA female lightweight world title in August 2025.