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To the fans of women’s boxing…
By Bonnie Mann
May 26, 2005
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(MAY 26) I recently had a very unique experience that I thought I would
share with you. My name is Bonnie Mann and for those of you who follow
women’s boxing I have been boxing for nearly 10 years. Starting out as an
amateur in 1995 and then turning Pro July 2002.
Having just fought for the WBE Middleweight World title and winning I felt
that I needed to take advantage of any and all training opportunities that
came my way. Although it is near impossible to get sparring with women in my
own weight class I will take sparring with other women when I can get it.
The last two weeks I was offered the opportunity to get work in with two top
women in the sport as they both prepare for major bouts. Two weeks ago I
sparred with Carlette Ewell as she prepares to face Laila Ali in June. Then
just this past weekend my trainer and I drove to KY to spar with Nikki
Eplion as she faces Kathy Rivers this Friday for a title.
I can honestly say that these women are training as if their lives depend on
it….maybe they do. You may wonder why someone who normally fights at 154-160
lbs. would want to place themselves in the ring against women who are 20-30
lbs. heavier and hit with power that you cannot imagine! Well it’s easy. The
better the sparring partner the better I will become. Partly I am being
selfish because I have a few more goals of my own and training with these
women will help me to get there. But the other part is because I truly want
to help these women, any woman, get better. If I can play any part in that
happening then I am more than happy to do so.
Carlette has a relentless desire to fight the best and now has that
opportunity. I will work with her as much as possible as we live close by.
Nikki is also ready to take on the world. I traveled 6 hours to work with
her and her team. First I would like to thank them all for the hospitality.
I plan on traveling a lot more to work with her as time permits.
Check your TV schedules this week for Nikki’s fight as it will be televised.
It will be on Fox Sports Sunday Night Fights. Check for local times and
stations. This fight almost didn’t happen because too many women are taking
themselves out of opportunities because they feel that once someone has
fought the likes of a Laila Ali they should get $10,000 to fight a 6 or 8
round fight. There were women who stood an excellent chance of making this a
great fight for themselves and turned down $7500-8000 to do so. Ladies here
is a wake up call….yes you deserve to get paid fairly but be honest about
what you are asking and what you should receive. $7500-8000 for an 8 round
fight plus expenses when you feel like you are on the same playing field?
Some things may never make sense to me in this sport. I can see now why so
many women remain inactive. Don’t get me wrong there are those out there who
just don’t get the calls or the purse is a joke and they are right for not
taking the fight. Ok I was going to save that whole……money issue and pricing
yourself out of the ring issue for another time but oh well. Take care and
train hard….Bonnie Mann -The Queen “B”
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items from the collection and merchandise.
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