Dear WBAN,

Dear WBAN:  Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a trash talker and I like to let my actions in the ring speak for itself, but enough is enough already...its time for all of the talk to stop and the action to start!  This is slightly out-of-character for me, but I am frustrated and angry that women's boxing is going nowhere.  And it's because a majority of the so-called women champions are pretending to be fighters.  It's time for someone to call it like it is and tell them to put up or shut up! 

 

I have spent the past year relatively inactive, not by choice, but because I can't seem to find anyone who really wants to fight. Everyone is talking about fighting, but few are really doing it. 

 

Regina Hamlich is eager to call out anyone she has already beat or someone who can't be licensed, but not any fighters who have a real chance of giving her a fight.  In my opinion, she is a joke and all hype.  I would fight her in Germany or anywhere in the world and there wouldn't be any controversy because the judges would be a non-factor in this fight.  I would knock her out!!  

 

Anita Christensen has fought a nice lineup of wanna-bees and contenders, but not anyone who could really compete with her and offer her a real fight.  She would last less than three rounds with me.  Guaranteed!  Her belts would look much better around the waist of a legitimate champion...one who is willing to fight and defend against worthy opposition, not hand picked opponents.  If anyone can explain to me what a "world champion" is doing fighting a girl that is 5-3-1 with 1 KO in a non-title bout, I would love to hear what that's all about!

 

There is also another girl out of Las Vegas, who I hesitate to classify as a champion and I even hate to mention her name and give her more undeserving press time.  Let's just say that after we fought, she would have to change her name from "Baby Doll" to Rag Doll.  She seems to be in this business to keep her name in print and her picture in the papers, but is not really interested in fighting at all.  She is in it for the publicity and has an excuse every time she gets beat.  The only excuse she would have against me is that she just plain isn't world championship material.

 

Women world champions are fighting exhibitions and matches against girls they have already beaten.  That isn't boxing, that's called protecting your record.   And we wonder why we are taking a back seat to traditional boxing and making minimal paydays?  Please!

 

It's time for women's boxing to step out of the shadows, but that will only happen if all of these girls stop talking and start fighting.  They seem to be only interested in padding their records and engaging in glorified sparring sessions.  Why is it so hard for these girls to understand that the goal is to fight credible opponents, not just hang onto your belt or undefeated record as long as you can?  That's not boxing...that's "posing." 

 

Don't even write back saying that I am not fighting anyone either, because I have extending challenges to everyone and there have been no takers.  If you are the caliber of fighter that you say you are, then let's get it on!  I'm issuing a formal challenge to anyone from 112 to 118 lbs.!!  If you really consider yourself a champion or top level contender, then it's time to back it up with some action.  Either do something for the sport or step aside for those women who are hungry to fight and who are not just out to get their picture posted on the home page of WBAN.

 

Don't even bother responding unless it's an acceptance of my challenge.  Anything else is just more rhetoric and that's not what women's boxing needs right now.

 

Sincerely,

Melinda Cooper