(AUG 11)  I wanted to take this time to "Set the Record Straight" about my July 24th fight against Seniesa Estrada,  as there is a lot out there on social media, that some of it is true----and a lot of it not at all true.

At the time of the fight and the aftermath of that fight, social media has been outraged about the outcome of the fight with Estrada.

It is important to me to "Set the Record Straight" on some of the issues involving that fight and I would like to correct.

One:   To my knowledge, my past opponents were not "strippers" and I'm not quite sure where that came from?  I did not know any of my opponents that I fought.  With the exception of one opponent that I fought twice.  The opponents that were brought to me were matched by my promoter.  The opponents came to the bouts prepared to fight---wearing all of their gear, with the exception of on one occasional forgotten "mouthpiece."  My promoter and I made sure they had one before the bout---and it was very apparent that those opponents were also very prepared to bring all their fight into the ring!

I have a primary professional career that I have worked extremely hard for, and enjoy very much!

I began martial arts, kickboxing, and my boxing journey back in 2016 when I lost my Mom to genetic ovarian cancer and fought my own medical battle same year.  My  Mom lost her battle and passed away.   It was a therapeutic journey and a promise kept to my Mom and that was  to do things I've always wanted to do  because life is far too short not to!

I didn't just wake up one day at age 42 and say..."Hey I think I will be a professional boxer today"! That would be very egotistical, unsafe, and unintelligent----and anyone who authentically knows me,  knows that I am anything but those describers.

It is true that I only began my professional boxing career a couple years ago.  However, previous to boxing,  my amateur career was diversified with several matches in Kickboxing and few years prior to that several matches trained in MMA both intensively trained at a local highly skilled and competitive gym here in Topeka.

TWO:  Secondly, my promoter John Carden is not my husband or significant other any longer. Our dissolution of marriage was finalized around two weeks prior before he showed up at my door with the Golden boy fight offer. This offer was presented to me as my promoter---not husband.

In all honestly-----it took me a few days to think it over before I made the decision to accept the offer. At that point my promoter, Mr. Carden and I made a verbal agreement that would take the fight with clear boundaries that he would be my promoter with an agreed upon flat fee to him when I signed the contract.

Yes-----I was aware that Estrada was way out of my league, and with several more years experience. However, I made the decision to move forward based on a few factors.

One, I knew I would be able to raise awareness for Ovarian Cancer in honor of my late Mother which is why my boxing trunks say: "Mom" with back of them in teal: "Fight Cancer".

Two, I did waffle on backing out of the fight a few times in which my promoter assisted me to see it through till the end.

When Mr. Carden spoke to me very often about how tough I am and insisted that I not back out the fight with Estrada.

That gave me all the motivation and drive that I needed to think... "I know I won't win, but I do think I may go a few rounds, and honestly what do I have to lose"?

I didn't have much time to train due to the scheduled bout being a last minute notice on the fight.  I had around a three week notice, but I was training,  3- 4 hours everyday before and after work while working a full time career in the ER.   I know my strength and determination and when I set my mind to something I see it all the way through unless I hit a brick wall that won't move.

I would like to address Mr. Cardens comments:

I wanted more challenging opponents indeed and actually years before this bout...but the opponents in this area in my weight division are very limited. I was told there is no one else, if you want to fight this is all we have as an option. So I trusted in that and gave it all I had in each match. I lost weight, gained weight with in hours. Fought much larger opponents, gained injuries, a broken nose, and one match had a eye contact knocked out in first round so I fought half blind with a KO in the 2nd round.

My promoter has always been a bit all or nothing in his thought process. Although, that's not always a bad trait. When it comes to what he wants that is what happens!

If your offered a bout- its the final decision as solidified, a take it or leave it. And most likely not ever get another option, if you don't take the offer.

It is unfortunate that in "women's boxing" I feel this is most likely still the norm. Rather than the exception.

My thoughts on the Estrada bout...

Estrada did come out hard and fast! Nothing about that bout went anything like her or my previous fights! I feel there was definitely something to that!   First off with my humble but confident determined personality, and with no boxing footage out there to see...(intentionally I might add, the promoter didn't want any of that released) I feel that she had no idea what she was up against in this bout.

Due to that anomaly she had no intention of leaving anything to chance, especially her belt! I think that the unknown usually either makes people react in 2 ways: Fight or flight.

You can back down or plan to take down the unknown threat, as soon as possible in order to solidify your win. Her strategy was KO asap!

She came fast across the ring, before I could even meet her in the middle. With the intent to KO as fast and as soon as possible.

I don't blame her one bit, makes perfect sense. I guarded her first jab, her second punch was a perfect left hook. Took a blow directly in the jaw area that connects to your skull. Medically your going to be KO'd immediately in that area.

 If you play the tape in slow motion- You can see that I was already "standing knocked out" before the last 4 combo flurry. I honestly didn't even have the time to fight back, kinda hard to do when your standing KO on punch #2. I have never been knocked out before and usually go the distance.

On the flip side scenario- without being targeted for an immediate KO...

My team and I had a really good strategy trained for, worked on, and planned for. Estrada does have a lot of matches and experience. She is an amazing female boxer! With that exposure also comes a lot of bout footage out there to research. Observing patterns of behavior is my forte in my career outside the ring.

Given the opportunity to box with her, trade with her, would I have demonstrated a competitive match with endurance, strength, and truly show Estrada what I had to bring to the table...100% ABSOLUTELY! I am very confident,  given the opportunity to "box with her" it would have went a few rounds or more and I would have really enjoyed that!

I am confident, but also, humble. Therefore, I am not one to build myself up to more then God made me to be.

Would she still have won the bout no matter what... ABSOLUTELY! I know she would have won no matter what. She is very skilled!

Honestly, the last thing I remember was her first jab, and subsequently waking up on the mat with a lot of people asking me questions to check my alertness and orientation.

Right after the fight the adrenaline was still surging so absolutely no pain. Most often I feel no pain until the realized injuries show a few days later.

I suffered "visible injuries" on outside of my body by way of bruising from the fall backwards onto the ropes. No other bruises or cuts. I am still suffering fairly intensive back pain, neck pain, and chronic headaches. By the grace of God only- I will not suffer any life threatening affects and I maintain all of my cognitive faculties. Medically- Knock outs can actually cause immediate death or subsequent delayed death from several Traumatic brain injury reasons: even many days later.

The KO did look worse on TV than it really was. But that is why it got so much exposure right?!  Because it was quick, methodical, deliberate, and because...We are both WOMEN! If the same match had been 2 men the exposure and horrifying terms like "Estrada slaughtered Adkins" would not have gained nearly as much exposure.

Guess this was one way women's boxing finally got more exposure then men's boxing! Sad but true!

What lessons were learned days later:

This same lesson below may apply more to younger female boxers as they have more time to check around for alternate options in boxing.

I really want to give advice to my younger selves out there in women's boxing...

Ladies---- if you want gradual experience (Amateur boxing essential in today's sport) that will challenge you gradually building up to a once in a lifetime opportunity- shop around. What I mean is look for second opinions, and talk to a few professionals in the business. If you have a Manager, promoter, or coach that is not willing to listen at all to what you know your body needs for growth in this sport: Do not, I repeat: do not, take what that person insists on as the ONLY option just because options are limited and ESPECIALLY not just because you are a woman! This sport is far too dangerous to accept only one option as the ultimate plan. Life is not all or nothing- do research and talk to others who are invested in your health and safety, your dreams for growth in this sport, not merely your record.

If given the opportunity to build up to a #1 ranked boxer "gradually" by fighting more challenging opponents with winning records, that would have been, and was voiced a few times as my preference.
However, with that being said was this ultimately my choice and my choice alone...

No one forced my signature- so yes!

I hold no harsh feelings for Golden Boy promotions, the Commission, or Seniesa Estrada and her team. I feel that due to previous opponents injuries and fighting the COVID clock they did the best they could with an almost impossible scenario. Every one of Golden Boy promotional team and team Estrada showed respect, integrity, and very warm hearts! I want to thank them for all they did!

Will I come back from this KO? I already have! This day, tomorrow, and every other day that God allows me to wake up and appreciate one more day that he has blessed me with. One more day blessed with the opportunity to use his gifts doing compassionate, meaningful, very fulfilling work, everyday in helping others in my profession. Gods blessings, and my Moms strength...that's my KO!

Miranda Adkins