(JAN 7)
Susan Reno, born Susan Merlucci in Summit, New Jersey, grew up
in the small town of Hackettstown, New Jersey. She dabbled in
athletics like fencing and basketball but leaned more towards
art, music and theater. At the age of 18, she moved to Brooklyn,
New York, to study art at Pratt institute. Due to some financial
obstacles as many young people find themselves in living on
their own, she did not continue in school, but remained in New
York City.
Susan spent many years of tending bar and trying her hand in
acting, music, and costume design but nothing truly held her
attention. A friend suggested one day that they try a
"kickboxing" class and Susan jumped at it. For the next few
years, she learned Muay Thai from Kru Phil Nurse. After a while
she asked if she could train with the fighters "just to see if
she could keep up." Susan more than held her own and found
herself competing for the first time in her life, in a boxing
ring. She lost her first fight but was not discouraged. She
worked harder and came back stronger to win her next four bouts.
Although Susan was on a winning streak, her boyfriend and
amateur boxer, Mike Reno noticed her victories came by boxing
and that she rarely threw a kick. Mike, as well as Susan's
brother who was also an amateur boxer convinced her to try
boxing.
In 2006, Susan had her first amateur boxing match and won by
stoppage and followed up with another victory on a club show in
New Jersey. Next came the NYC Metro Championship with another
win. In 2007 Susan won the New York Daily News Golden Gloves
with a third round stoppage at Madison Square Garden.
After the Golden Gloves, Susan was invited to represent NY Metro
in the National Championships. This experience was all new
territory and very different from the little club show scene.
With Mike Reno, acting as coach, they set out for Colorado
Springs.
Susan's first opponent drawn in Colorado was the reigning
champion, Cheryl Houlihan. We knew Cheryl had won the past four
years in a row but Susan's attitude was "we have to face her at
some point, why not now?" All of this was a new experience. the
scoring system, thin Colorado air, Cheryl's hand speed, but
Susan took it in stride. First round, Cheryl's speed caught
Susan off guard and got her 2 standing 8 counts. the second
round, Susan found her rhythm and by the third round, Susan gave
Cheryl 2 standing 8 counts, both from body shots. susan gained
on cheryl's lead but the fight went to decision, Susan losing by
3 points.
Back in New York, Susan took a step up in weight. Always ready
to take on a challenge, there was an opportunity for Susan to
fight a police officer in the annual Battle of the Badges. Susan
had been helping friend and firefighter Mike Reno coach the FD
Boxing Team.
The cops were looking to match their 125 lb female boxer. Susan
stepped up as honorary firefighter and agreed to the match. Two
weight classes heavier than her normal 110, the two women put on
the fight of the night with Susan pulling out the victory.
After this fight, Susan needed a break. After years of hip pain,
she required surgery to repair a tear in the hip joint. during
the lay off from boxing, she married Mike Reno and continued to
help him coach the FD team.
In September 2011, NYC played host to the World Police and Fire
Games. This is an Olympic style competition for police and
firemen all over the world to come together and compete with one
another. Susan and Mike assisted Bobby McGuire (WPFG director of
Boxing). Susan helped corner, wrap hands and play host to all
the visiting boxers. This experience gave her the itch to get
back in the ring.
The following month, was the annual Battle of the badges. The PD
wanted to showcase the Atlas Cops and Kids Olympic Prospect,
Christina Cruz. They needed someone to step up and box Christina
at the Garden. Susan wanted the challenge. She had not fought in
three years and agreed to the fight. With only three weeks of
training, Susan wasted no time getting back into the rhythm of
fight training. She put up a gallant effort and gave a great
fight but Christina was at the top of her game and Susan was
just getting back into hers and lost by decision.
Susan didn't like losing and used it as motivation to continue
training and get better. Since that loss, she bested 2 girls at
119. To prove to herself she still "had it," she took a match
against a recent two-time Golden Glove Champ and came out the
victor.
What would Susan like to do now?
Her next challenge is the professional world of boxing. She is
looking to make her pro debut at this time. Susan is 5'1",
fights between the weights of 108-112, Orthodox. Her all around
accumulative amateur boxing record is 10-2, and Muay Thai
amateur record is 4-1.
WBAN
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