Advice To Female Boxers: Make it Happen in – 2004

So…What ADVICE did WBAN have for Female Boxers in 2004?
Written by Sue TL Fox – January 6, 2004

(JAN 6) Now that 2004 is upon us, there are many “Make-a-Wish Lists for 2004” from various boxing sources on the net.  BUT is merely “wishing” for something enough to make things happen?

WBAN would like to see a “Make It Happen” for women boxers in 2004, and to substitute “Wish” with “Work”.   It is “Work” that would likely be what makes it happens in the year 2004—not simple “wish lists.”

So WHAT would WBAN say to Women Boxers to “Make It Happen” for the year 2004?

Promote yourself—realize that merely fighting hard will not get you to where you want to be in this sport. Contact people in the boxing world. Go to any and all press conferences, weigh-ins, events, and talk to promoters and matchmakers. Have ready in hand Press Kits with good photos, media articles; if possible, include a CD with a 1-2 minute video streaming of some of your fights. Be available for Interviews, send out press releases when you are fighting, and work hard to get your name out there with what you are doing in the sport.

Take CONTROL of your future in the sport. If you have some promoter – matchmaker – manager (husbands /boyfriends or non-relationship) who wants to put you with  bums or inferior opponents to build up a bum record.  Don’t do it.  Believe in yourself and fight viable opponents.

Fight in your own weight class! Don’t let people talk you into filling your pockets with coins, wearing heavy and inappropriate gear to a weigh-in, or put weights around your ankles and wrists to get your weight up to your opponent’s weight.

Don’t take a fight if you have been out of the gym. How can you make it “Happen” for yourself in this sport, if you take fights when you are not in the shape?

As MUCH as you want a fight. Avoid some of the obvious PITFALLS of taking a match.

Beware of taking a fight where the woman boxer you are fighting, is also promoting the card (it would probably take an act of congress to pull off a win in this circumstance.)

Beware of taking a fight with opponents who do not fight anywhere but their hometown. MANY factors need to be considered before taking these risky matchups.

Beware of ANY promotions that will not FLY you into the venue when you live in another state or live far away from the venue, where the standard status quo is flying in from your location.  WBAN has seen some boxers who have driven 18 plus hours to get to a fight. How can you make it happen in the sport, when you are car-lagged from traveling to a fight?

In order to “Make it Happen” for yourself in this sport, it takes work—–hard work. And it is work that will not only include what you do, inside the ring—but OUTSIDE the ring. Success does not fall into a person’s lap—it takes  work and perseverance to make it happen!