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So what IS
happening in boxing for women in Portland, Oregon ? I
decided to check out one of the local gyms in Portland and was able
to go one on one with a gym-full of women boxers!
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I actually got the
desire to interview some of the local fighters, when I
received an email from Tournament Director Fred Ryan,
who told WBAN about a Golden Gloves event that will be taking
place on March 2nd & 3rd, 7:30 PM, at the
Multnomah Greyhound Park in Oregon. I immediately
contacted Ryan and told him that I would be interested in
covering that event ringside as I wanted to get my "feet
wet" in covering more amateur fighting, and what better
way than in my own back yard to do so..... |
| One thing led to
another with my conversations with Ryan, and he told me about
a fighter that worked in Law Enforcement by the name of Robin
Yakhour who actually lived very close to me. I
called Robin and we spoke for quite a bit about women's boxing
and where it was going for her as a pro boxer who had already
fought twice. During that conversation, we made plans to meet
at the gym so that I could get some background on her and the
other women boxers that were also training at a gym that she
goes to. |
When I arrived
at Grand Gym, I first met with Cindy Spencer, a
boxer that I had first met through the Internet almost three
years ago. At the time, she was featured on the femboxer site,
and I am sure that a lot of boxing fans would still remember
her. Cindy lives about 25 miles from
me.
Cindy had originally gotten into boxing for the exercise in
the late 1980's. She basically worked out in her own
home at the time. |
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In the fall of 1994,
Cindy went down to the Kelso gym, in Kelso, Washington,
and was told that she could "hit the bags" but not spar or anything.
Cindy did not join the gym at that time, because she
felt if all she would do was to hit bags, she could accomplish
that at home. Cindy dabbled in a little bit of sparring,
taught box aerobics, etc., until she noticed that women's
boxing was starting to gain in popularity. In 1998,
Cindy did join the Kelso gym, and in the fall of 1998, she
began competing as an amateur a few months later. Cindy
has won four championship titles, two of which were walkovers,
that is common at times in amateur women's boxing. With
the two events that she won, she had suffered cracked ribs in
one of those competitions.
Needless to say, as many women boxers feel about the sport at
times, Cindy said, "In the last year it has been very frustrating for lack of opponents so I have not
worked at it as hard.... I got a little discouraged. I made myself a new years
resolution. I will work hard for three months, and
see what comes along." Cindy went on to tell of her
other goals in the sport, she said, "I am also planning on taking the
next USA sanctioned referee/judging class so I can be an official at amateur
shows." |
| Molly
McConnell, a boxing trainer and competitor in amateur
boxing has been boxing for three years. McConnell is
6-2, and her losses came out of hometown areas....
Molly fights in the Jr.
Welterweight division, and her goals are to continue in
amateurs until she feels that she has accomplished all there
is to "accomplish" in that arena. She then plans to
turn pro... |
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| I watched as Molly worked
with all of the women boxers. Boy, women's boxing has come a
long way! I thought of when I had entered a boxing gym in
1976, there was not a woman boxer in sight, and now I walk in a gym,
and women are teaching the sport. |
Robin Yakhour, a
boxer who began boxing two years ago, looks more like a body builder
than a boxer! She is 112 pounds of dynamite, and if
she sticks with boxing will probably have a great
future.
Robin commented about joining the ranks of women boxers, "I grew interested for the fitness
aspect of it." Robin got inspired to get back into shape after
reading the book The Boxer's Workout. She integrated
the boxing training that she read about with a weight training
routine.
Eventually Robin joined a boxing gym
where she could spar and work on technique and form. Robin
said, "It
wasn't too long after that I had decided that I wanted to actually compete.
I had just turned 32 and didn't feel I had a lot of good amateur time left.
I ended up taking a pro fight on four days notice. My opponent came into town
weighing 10 lbs. more than I did and I ended up losing on points."
Robin talked about her second professional bout, "The
second pro fight that I took was unfortunately 'dejevou'. My opponent
weighed in 10 lbs. more than me, and again, I lost on points. This has
really been the most frustrating aspect for me, but regardless, it's been
a
good experience and I've sincerely enjoyed the opportunities that I've had."
I asked Robin if there is anything
that she would like to say to other women boxers. She said, "I do encourage women to participate fully as amateur fighters before
going pro. All that amateur experience is to their advantage, no doubt."
Robin is currently working in the Law Enforcement field in Washington State.
She was born in California but has lived in Oregon and Washington most of
her life. Robin has many interests and said, "I'm really grateful to my
parents for educating me in a variety of sports and activities. I was
encouraged to play piano and clarinet, but I also participated in Track and
Field in High School, as well as in Rodeo Club. I also would play a
barrage of unorganized sports and activities with my brothers: basketball, baseball,
skiing, swimming, volleyball."
In the 1980's Robin had most of her
success with Middle Eastern Dancing (better known as
belly dancing). Robin had performed in a number of shows and contests between
California and Canada, and had won several contests. She enjoyed the fun
and success that she had with belly dancing---Robin gave this up
when she got married in 1985.
Robin has an Associate of Science in Fisheries Technology.
One of her past times is playing
the drums and she is an avid lover of American Indian Art.
Robin keeps a full plate of working, taking care of her two
children, and staying in top shape. Robin said, "I want women to know that you can get back into excellent shape
after having children. It really is possible! I'm almost 34 years old and I
can honestly say that, I am in the best shape of my life! I work out 5 -6
days a week. Sometimes twice a day. I combine boxing, weight training, and
aerobic activities such as running, jumping rope, and stair-machine, to get a
full spectrum work-out."
It was obvious that Robin takes her
training very seriously and that she incorporates her boxing into
her everyday lifestyle.
I asked Robin what was next for her
in the sport. She said, "I'm hoping
to get another pro fight down the road, but will not give up much in weight."
Robin said that she would like to encourage other women to give the sport a try,
even if they don't intend to compete.
"It's an awesome way to get in shape
and have fun!!! Ladies, It's only a man's world if you let it
be!" Well said...Robin! |
| Julie Bishop, a
30-year-old amateur boxer, has been boxing for three years, and
competing for the last year. Bishop looking more like a
teenager, packs a wallop with her punches. She went on the pads with
Molly, and then sparred a few rounds. For 108 lbs., she
definitely has the abilities, techniques and talents to succeed in
her weight class. She goes to college and works during the
day. Julie said that her start in boxing began with receiving
a gift....a pair of boxing gloves.
She then joined up in a women's
boxing class and has been going strong ever since.... |
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Willow, a recreational
boxer, went a few rounds with Molly. I was impressed with her
techniques as she has only been boxing for two years. I asked
Willow if she planned to compete in amateurs, and she said that at
this time she was not interested in doing so... but she enjoys
coming into the gym to work out...until next time, the ole' TL Fox
will see what else she can dig up around town!
Sue TL Fox
January 10, 2001 |
All photographs are
copyrighted by Sue TL Fox.
All Rights Reserved. |
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