McMorrow Talks about recent article on female competing in amateur bout after 60-days of training

(OCT 25)  [By Sue TL Fox] On October 23, 2012, I made a [negative] comment about an  online Article  published on the Guardian.co.uk website, where they wrote about a female who was going to fight in an amateur competition bout after training for only 60 days. 

 I had said the following preceding to posting the external link:  “Again, when can this sport get to the point when we see women who have trained a significant amount of time before competing, amateur or pro?”

After posting this comment, WBAN received an “open response” from multi-world champion Melissa McMorrow. McMorrow said the following:

“I think it is unacceptable to fight as a pro with minimal training, because I think all professional sports should be for top competitors (which is why they are paid). But I have to say I very much disagree with any problem of people fighting an amateur fight with only 60 days of training.

Amateur sports are for learning. I firmly believe that people should be able to train and compete in any capacity they want to. The only way we can grow this sport is if we include people that have in interest in trying. The best way we can include people is by making it accessible. I grew up playing soccer and I would have dropped out if someone told me that I had to practice for a year before I could play in any games. I am using the analogy of women’s soccer because I know it well and it is a sport that has exploded over the last 20 years. There are many types of teams- competitive teams, recreational teams, and somewhere in the middle that are accessible for all ages. It encourages people, regardless of skill level, to compete because it is a good workout, gratifying, and fun.

Not everyone wants to compete to become a world champion, some want to just stay in shape while other want to test their limits. For those that do excel and want to make a world title their goal, they have the foundation to do that and can take more competitive fights and participate in tournaments. In my opinion, it is all great. The more people who are involved means the more talent there is to draw from and the more people that will support women’s boxing because they relate to it. Melissa”

I would like to thank Melissa for taking the time to give feedback on this issue. With that said, I will  have to “agree to disagree” with Melissa on this topic.

Whether the person is male or female and only trains for  60 days before competing [new in the sport], in my opinion does not have sufficient time to prepare to fight competitively.

I feel that if the male/female takes their time “to learn” the sport “In the gym”,  and hone in on developing their physical and mental conditioning, gaining solid experience with sparring with different boxers, will have a much better outcome, and positive experience in the sport when they “do” decide to compete.