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SHARON GAINES, born on July 10, 1973, in Seattle, Washington, and boxes out
of Kansas City, Missouri.
Gaines told WBAN, "I have been active in many sports for just about as long
as I can remember (thanks to my dad, who got me running when I was in 3rd
grade), but the sport I did best was track and cross-country."
Gaines ran at the University of Washington in Seattle from 1991-1995. and
her best track event was the 1500, and she also ran cross
country. Gaines went on to graduated with a degree (BA) in
Communications/Journalism.
After about a year after Gaines graduated from College, she began to miss
having a "reason" and a motivation to work out. She also missed
competition. Gaines said, "For a few years, I debated
getting into fitness competition, but did not really like the 'beauty
pageant' aspect of it."
When Gaines was about 26 years old, she met Maurice Smith, a three-time
Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion and Ultimate Fighter/Grappler). He
encouraged her to go to his gym and learn grappling (wrestling-style skills)
so that she could learn how to defend herself if she ever needed to.
"For about a year I would hang out in his gym and grapple and learn defense.
I started to mess around on the bags, but did not get into any serious
boxing as they were specifically a kickboxing gym. (Due to years of shin
splints I really couldn't kickbox)" said Gaines.
One night they put on an amateur show at Maurice's gym and there were two
girls warming up getting ready to fight in the back. Gaines said that she
was actually jealous of the girls getting ready to go compete. Gaines loved
the atmosphere and the excitement and knew that she needed to find a boxing
gym and learn so I could compete in the sport.
Gaines, at 28 years old, found a gym to learn
to box, at the Hillman City Boxing Gym in Seattle. There were no other
women in the gym, and from time to time a girl would come in for a week or
two, but then would quit.
"The gym was very old, hot, smelly and had NO
amenities for women. The heat was always on. The ring was an old beat up,
stained tarp and the "ropes" looked like electrical cord. But I LOVED it! I
have to give a lot of credit to my first coach Jody Hill. He always said
that there are no women in this gym, only boxers. He gave me the same
attention and treatment as everyone else----he always had time for everyone.
He did COUNTLESS hours of pad work with me and when girls that were supposed
to come and spar me didn't show up he would jump in the ring with me. Those
sparring sessions with him were invaluable...even when he cracked my nose!"
After a short amateur boxing career, Gaines received an excellent job offer
that brought her to Kansas City, from the Seattle area.
Gaines made her pro debut on November 21,
2003 in Kansas City, and have since hooked up with Larry Edgar, Coach
at Authentic Boxing Gym in the West Bottoms.
Gaines has had two professional fights under
the tutelage of Edgar, winning both bouts.
Gaines told WBAN, "Like, Jody, he treats me with the same attention he gives
the guy boxers. I finally have CONSISTENT sparring from women and men, which
has always been a problem."
Gaines said that on a personal note, "For any
women thinking about getting into boxing or any type of martial arts
or defense, I say, don't wait, do it today! Whether to compete, or just get
in shape, it is worth it. Boxing changed my life." |
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