Pioneer Boxers: Louise Loo – photos/story by Jack Pokress

Permission given by Jack Pokress/photos and story – original document in WBAN Archive Files/
WWB Glove, July 1980

 Louise is the Frisco Kid.  Born in San Francisco 20 years ago, 5’2″ and eyes of blue and packs a powerhouse punch in both hands.  Known as the Frisco Kid, Louise Loo is a Bantanweight Champion in the making.  Louise has been interested in sports all of her life starting with softball as a kid in the “Little Miss Softball League.”  Later becoming interested in bowling at the age of 13.  Louise then took up tennis and ended up number one on her high school team.  After winning some tennis tournaments including the prestigious Golden Gate Tennis Club Tournament, Louise then turned all of her energy into becoming a woman’s boxing champion.

She is the oldest of four children, her father having died when she was 16 and she has been taking care of the  family ever since.  About 1 1/2 years ago she become interested in boxing when her tennis coach, Mike Brewer, saw that she had a temper and it came out in her fists.  Mike told her that boxing would be good for her as he didn’t think she would make it as a tennis pro.  Boxing was good for her inner aggressions and at the same time she could make some money at the sport.

It was then that Louise took boxing seriously and started light training to develop her skills.  She trained three days a week, hitting the heavy bag, working on the light or speed bag and a few rounds of shadow boxing.  In addition the future champion took up weight lifting, rope skipping and about twice a week donned the gloves for a few rounds of sparring.

Louise started looking good in the gym.  Her sparring sessions began to look like wars and the Frisco Kid started to become a real threat to the title holder, the one and only Shirley “Zebra Girl” Tucker.  During the last six months, Louise Loo has been training daily, seven days a week.

Her goal is not only to become the Bantamweight champ but to make some money as well.  When Louise dons the wicked looking black boxing gloves, her favorite color for gloves, her opponents know they are in for a real fight.  The fans have taken a liking to this young California native knowing full well that when she comes into the ring.  “She comes to fight.”

Working with her manager Mike Brewer, Louise has set a goal of 2-3 years to take the title.  She will not be overmatched as she starts her climb up the title ladder.  Zebra Girl Tucker only has to look over her shoulder to see the Frisco Kid aiming her sights for the title.  This writer saw Louise working out with Angel Rodriguez (photo), in San Francisco last month.  The girls sparred three rounds and three torrid rounds was what the gym fans saw.  It was action on top of action as both girls flailed away, neither one showing the other any mercy.  It was one on one and solid boxing techniques was the order of the day.  Both girls showed respect for each other though Louise’s experience began to tell as the fight went into the final round.

Louis has set some goals for herself after she finishes her boxing career.  She would like to work with kids in sports or go into police work.  At present, when not working out, Louise is a student, majoring in criminology at City College of San Francisco.