One on One Interview: Female boxer Karen Bill who fought Ali – 2000

by Sue TL Fox – September 1, 2000

“First off, I want to tell you before asking you any questions that I think you are doing a great job in women’s boxing, and you are an excellent representative for the sport. I viewed the tape of yourself and Laila Ali, and from the tape it appeared that you were ahead on points and that the fight may have been stopped too soon. I can ONLY base that on the tape, and I know from experience that being in person “ringside” I could or may have had a different opinion.” Regardless of that fact, I feel very strongly that you deserve a rematch with Laila Ali.” TL Fox

Bill: I would not accept fights with experienced boxers before I was trained well enough to fight in the ring with them. Also, I would not fight far outside my weight class.

TL Fox: When you were asked to fight Carmen Dominguez in your first pro fight, how did it come about that you were called on short notice to fight her?  Were in working out in boxing at the time?

Bill: I received a phone call from the promoter at 7:30 am. He asked me if I’d be interested in fighting in town that night because Carmen’s opponent backed out since her home was destroyed by the Oklahoma City tornado. They could not find an opponent for Carmen, and so tried me since I was an athlete. They didn’t even know who I was. A woman in the promoter’s Real Estate office told him about a woman she played softball against who hits the ball over the fence. She didn’t know my name, but remembered there was an 8×10 of me, that I signed to the soldiers of Ft. Sill, hanging in a gym. She had her husband go look at the picture and find out my name, then they called information to find out my phone number! I told him I was out of shape and had no boxing license, but would be willing to do it so they could have a women’s fight on the card. In between driving to patients’ homes to do their physical therapy with them, I had to go to a lab for blood work, go to a clinic for a physical, meet with the Commissioner for a boxing license, find boxing shoes and trunks, and get the rest needed for the fight that night! No, I was not working out in boxing at that time. The last aerobic activity I’d done was my warm-up at the Olympic Trials in Atlanta in ’96. I was so out of shape that I did not even warm-up in the dressing room before the fight because it would use all my energy!

TL Fox: In retrospect, what are your feelings about your match up with Laila Ali?  Have you tried to get a rematch since then?

Bill: As I told Laila when she asked what I thought of the fight, we are both “young” fighters who are getting better with each day in the gym. We would be different fighters one month after that, and more so one year later. I think it was a good match-up for the skill level of the fighters at the time. I am very upset that the fight was stopped, while we were both still throwing punches, and there was 19 seconds left in the round. The worst part of it is the lack of recognition I got out of the performance, and the over-recognition Laila gets from the talk shows she frequents. I was NOT hurt, and by no means should it be said that she knocked me out. I don’t feel the ref was doing me any favors or protecting me by stopping the fight.

I would love to have a rematch with Laila Ali, and feel it is due to me since we never finished our first fight! Coach was asked by the promoter of her last fight –[in Los Angeles against the 48-year-old]– on Tuesday, if we’d take the fight 2 days later. We agreed to the fight, but were told by the promoter on Wednesday that her camp did not want to fight me. (NO SURPRISE) They should have taken the fight with me; it would have looked more respectable to lose to me than to win over a 48-year-old woman.

TL Fox: How do you manage your time between working full time and doing a juggling act to train to be in top condition?

Bill: I have no life! I don’t have time to date, fortunately have no children or they would be neglected, and don’t get to enjoy the luxuries of my new home.  Luckily, I LOVE the job that I have (Home Health Physical Therapy) and when a patient says “thank you” to me it seems to make it all worth it. I feel it is a blessing from God to be able to go into people’s homes and help them live their life again. I don’t want to quit working, just be able to cut back my hours and still be able to pay the mortgage. I wish I could find a sponsor (or make as much as the “Daughters”) so I could spend more time in the gym. Since I have to work 40-50 hours/week, my training is a fraction of the dedication I could give my Olympic Training.

TL Fox: You have become very successful in your last two fights, what are you doing differently now, than before to become successful in winning your fights?

Bill: During the fight, I think about all the nonsense I’ve had to put up with in this sport. Unfortunately for my opponent, I take my frustrations out on them.

TL Fox: What advice would you give new fighters of today? What have you learned that you would not repeat in this sport?

Bill: Don’t believe everything they tell you! Find a manager who will put you first and foremost, and don’t listen to the promoters and matchmakers with their empty promises. Don’t make any plans until you have a contract!

TL Fox: How long do you see yourself boxing? and what do you want to achieve in this sport?

Bill: VERY unfortunately, I don’t think I can do this more than two years. That’s not because of any toll boxing has on a person, it’s because of pre-existing health problems. I would love to do this for ten years because of all the fun I have. I’m not trying to become a Champion (although Coach thinks otherwise!), I do this because I love to entertain people! That’s why I try to get to sing the National Anthem before the fights.

TL Fox: Of all the women you have boxed, who was the hardest puncher? Who was the toughest opponent?

Bill: I can guarantee the world that Keisha Snow is the hardest puncher in all of women’s boxing! The toughest opponent that I’ve faced is Suzy Taylor.

TL Fox: Do you think that there are any fighters ducking you at this time?

Bill: Frazier, Foreman, and Ali!

TL Fox: For yourself, what would be YOUR “Dream Match” – who would you like to get in the ring with?

Bill: For two reasons, it would only be a dream: one, the ref I’d want has passed; and two, the opponent I want won’t fight me! For his fairness, I would want Mitch to referee a fight between Laila Ali and me. He told Maria Johansson three times to punch out of the corner before he waved our fight off.