Ava "The Lady of Boxing" Knight

Woman’s boxing has had its ups and downs, and names fly in and out of the news, but only a select few have been able to stay in the tabloids for their accomplishments. I would like to shed a light on a few women that have not had a lot of spotlight that I feel are some of the greatest role models and pioneers of boxing during the decade. The women whom have become great champions, and who are great examples for the rest of us to look up to who are trying to reach the same goal. The women that I have caught my eye as a fellow boxer, and the ones I admire because of their skill. These women are paving the road for the future to walk upon a smooth path. The struggles they face today have fueled them to become who they are and to fight as hard as they do.

Layla McCarter was born on April 19, 1979 in Alameda, California. Layla began martial arts training at age eight. In 1995 she began kickboxing and boxing at different clubs, but ending up at the Spokane Boxing Club. On September 23, 1998, she had her first fight in Worley, Idaho. Even though after her pro debut she suffered some losses, she still came out to win her first World Title her 16th fight against Tracy Bird. She continued to fight tough opponents and currently has held four world titles (IFBA, GBU, WIBF, WBA) throughout her career, and currently holding the GBU and WBA Llightweight World Titles. If you watch her fight, you would realize she is great and holds a lot of skill. She is a smart boxer, who likes to come forward and can fight well in both the inside and out. She has a very calm demeanor but with an aggressive style, and looks very comfortable in the ring. She is a great champion and has fought great fighters and is someone that keeps you focused on the screen because she is that good.

Belinda "Brown Sugar" Laracuente was born on January 29 1979 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In 1989 she moved to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. At age 12 she was motivated to try the sport herself by hanging around the Mayaguez gym where her brother trained and became two of the best amateur boxers in Puerto Rico. She moved from Puerto Rico to Miami, Florida, in May 1998 with just one goal ... a world title belt. Belinda is a stylish fighter, who has a nice slick style, and great counter punches built to her skills and a solid ring record with 57 fights. She has held the WIBF and GBU in the past in her career. She may not have the perfect record, fighting tough opponents early on, but her style and boxing skills make her a great champion and a great fighter to watch.

Melissa “Huracan” Hernandez from Puerto Rico, by way of the Bronx, NY and Miami, Florida was born on February 4 1980. She took up boxing to lose weight but by the age of 23, she decided to step it up and fight in the Golden Gloves. Melissa is a great slick boxer, training with Belinda during her early years of boxing, they have a similar style. She is very exciting to watch. She is slick, has great counter punching and knows when to turn it up in a fight. In her career she has held three titles (WIBA, GBU, WBC) and currently hold the WBC Featherweight title.

I decided to pick fighters that went through the stages of Women’s boxing within the past two decades. All three fighters have had the opportunity to be staged on television, but have seen the decline of women’s boxing demand through the last few years. All these fighters have seen the likes of one another in the ring, against and sometimes on the same side. I am fortunate to say there are so many more champions, but with one article, I could only write so much. I look up these three ladies and have found out what they are about. They are all great fighters and I would tip my hat to them anytime to show my respect. Fighters who all have thrown down in the ring, no matter what the cost and conditions, and have set the scale for skill and performance, CHAMPIONS…

By: Ava Knight

Women’s Boxing has come a long way, from fighting for passbooks, to fighting for respect, money, and recognition. Respect has been a long time need from fans, matchmakers, promoters. We have been fighting many other opponents other than the ones across the ring for decades. Recently I have seen a new obstacle we must fight for equality, and it is within our own selves. Many of today’s and yesterday’s fighters are not promoting nor helping each other out and giving each other their due respect. Who is to blame? The media, influential managers, the brutal sport, the lack of respect, or their arrogant selves?

Nell Saunders and Rose Harland supposedly fought for a silver butter dish in 1876 at Hills Theater in NYC. This was considered the first woman’s match in the United States. Years following in 1954, Barbara Buttrick was the first female to be broadcasted on national television. After an ongoing lawsuit in the state of New York in 1976, three high-profile women boxers, Cathy “Cat” Davis, Jackie Tonawanda, and Marian “Lady Tyger” Trimiar became some of the few first women to receive their boxing licenses. Boxer Pat Pineda is the first woman to be licensed in California in 1978.

Have times really changed? We are seeing a relapse of what seems to be professional women fighting for justice and respect. In 1987, former World Women’s Lightweight Marian “Lady Tyger” Trimiar staged a well-publicized month long hunger strike for the rights of women’s boxing and to advocate better money and conditions for professional female boxers. Will it take another strike and picket for women to get the respect they deserve today?

Muhammad Ali’s Daughter, Laila “She-Bee Sthinin” Ali, made her pro-debut in New York. The news coverage leading up to this bout, and the media attention since she has gotten into the sport has surpassed any of the coverage of any one boxer on the scene in the past, and in the present. The highest paid professional female boxer in the Unites States was Laila Ali. With such a great woman who has had so much impact and influence in the sport, she comes across the rest of us professional fighters with words that disappointed us. In an article pot Olympic Games, she came to say the following in an article with Joe Jenkins in the The New York Daily News, “I never encourage people to go on and box professionally because it’s a shady business.” This felt like a slap in the face to the current professional woman boxers trying to make a name for themselves. Although, she did follow her quote with a positive note for amateurs, “I’d like to see the amateur programs be strengthened not so that girls can necessarily go pro but so that girls can get a scholarship to college and go on do something great.” With a sport that paved her way to stardom and celebrity status, boxing isn’t doing something great in her eyes.

With this said, we have another huge Icon in amateur boxing right now who isn’t giving professional boxers a great reputation either. Marlen Esparza, 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist has accomplished a lot in her career, making history as well. She became one of three women to be the first women to ever compete in the Olympic Games and the first to medal. She has set new statures receiving huge sponsors and endorsements, something female professional boxers haven’t had the chance to achieve recently. It was disappointing again to hear another woman, gaining so much from the sport, bash the professional women athletes again. In a recent tweet seen by thousands of viewers, Marlen responds to a question that asked her about turning pro and if she had a favorite female professional with this, “I don’t really plan on going pro n right now I don’t hv one haven’t seen a pro girl tht I can respect yet.” She followed her comment with an explanation of her trying to justify what she had said, and apologized for her quote a few days later, but what she wrote cannot be taken back.

Current WBO Bantamweight and IFBA Super Bantamweight Champion, Kaliesha West had this to say, “I am very unsettled by her justifying her "comment" rather than accepting the fact that her choice of words were "poor" and a simply, not only to me, but ALL of women's boxing would have worked. This is a real let down to our boxing community (primarily in USA). The facts are, we fight two fights; in the ring, and out the ring! We are truly against all odds: sexism, stereotype, gender, and critics. We can’t afford to have negative comments like this to be said. She IS the face of women's boxing right now, and I am ashamed to have such a representative of my sport. I can promise all female athletes I will fight for equal rights, and equal opportunities.”

Women's boxing is on an uphill road, it may be bumpy but we strive to become the best, especially, with the talent in this new era. It is amazing how far woman boxers have come and continue to reach new accomplishments. It is time for us to stand together. The women of the sport with the most power and influence need to understand that what they say, because of who they are, can affect women’s boxing and its future. We all need to stand in solidarity and fight for the bigger picture, amateur and pro. If we don’t stand for something, we will fall for anything. We have a bigger fight, not with each other, but with the powers that be.

I'm proud to be a part of this movement, along with my fellow professional female athletes. We are ready for every challenge and every odd against us. We will fight with every ounce of heart and passion for the sport and train twice as hard to show the world what we are made of. We are the proud voice of Woman Boxing, and we will not be ignored.

About the Author, Ava Knight: 3X IBF Flyweight Champion, and WBC Diamond Champion. 10(5)-1-3 Number 1ranked fighter in the Flyweight division. Advocate for woman’s boxing.

https://twitter.com/Ava_Knight" target="_blank"> Twitter @Ava_Knight

www.facebook.com/officialavaknight

About our Commenter, Kaliesha West. 3X WBO Bantamweight Champion, IFBA Super Bantamweight Champion. 16(4)-1-3. Advocate for woman’s boxing.

Twitter @Kwildwildwest

www.facebook.com/officialkalieshawest

Resources:

http://www.ehow.com/info_8647585_salary-average-boxer.html

http://www.womenboxing.com/historic.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/retired-boxing-great-laila-ali-daughter-muhammad-ali-shows-heart-champion-finishing-aquaphor-new-york-city-triathlon-article-1.1110252#ixzz2Fel3mm3z

http://www.twitter.com/Marlen112Boxing

I have recently become aware of a local family with a two year old boy who has been diagnosed with Stage Four Neuroblastoma.  This is a very serious, aggressive type of cancer and his chances of survival are currently at only about 20%.  The family, who also has two other children, is incurring tremendous medical bills and myself and the local City Relay for Life are trying to raise some funds to help them.

I AM AUCTIONING OFF THE TRUNKS FROM MY LAST FIGHT, the biggest fight of my career against Mariana Juarez, giving me the Flyweight Crown along with an autographed photo. All the moneys that are payed will go straight to the family. You can send your bid to Avaknight15@yahoo.com. This will be a silent auction closing on December 5th

**** PLEASE HELP THIS YOUNG BOY****

I will have a separate donation fill on my website if you would like to donate funds.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS

http://www.officialavaknight.com/apps/donations/

After knocking out Arely Mucino, new IBF champ Ava Knight will defend her belt for the first time against number one contender Hongfah Tor Buamas on March 31 in Los Cabos, Mex.

The fight will be promoted by Hector Garcia Boxing and take place on the undercard of WBC junior bantamweight champion Ana Maria Torres' bout against Mary Ortega.

While Knight (7-1-3, 4 KOs), from Chico, Calif., earned her belt with a vicious Knockout of the Year candidate against Arely Mucino in Mexico last October, Tor Buamas (15-4, 2 KOs) will be fighting for the first time as a pro outside her native Thailand.

"Even though she has a good record, it doesn't really look like the girls she's fought are too experienced," said Knight. "Either way, I'll be thinking about this fight the same way I do as a challenger, as if I'm going to take the title. I'm going to work hard, train hard, and be ready for her because she is the number one contendor and she is a champion."

Knight, currently No. 9 in the CSNBayArea.com Northern California pound-for-pound media poll, has begun camp in the high-altitude environment of Colorado Springs with trainer Ben Bautista.

"We're going down to Mexico to knock her out," the San Francisco-based Bautista said.

Boxing correspondent Ryan Maquiñana is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine's Ratings Advisory Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his blog at norcalboxing.net, or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.

Through out the years my main goals in boxing have been to win a world title. I had two unsucessful bouts until October of 2011. 2012 is a new year and new goals are on the horizon.

For one, I'd like to unify the flywieght titles and bring them all to a deserving champion. The fact that there are champions fighting pro-debuters, boxers with losing records, and girls that just look like they haven't been a ring much is a sad look for females. The women who should have the titles should be fighting worthy opponents and I won't stand for anything less. I want to bring all the major titles home to the United States with pride and Knock Outs.

My second goal of the year is to fight at Madison Square Garden. It is a place where everyone entertains when they have made it big time. The fact that many big fights have been moving away from that mark of history opens my eyes. All the big fighters from the past made it when they stepped in the Garden, and hopefully, I will be able to do the same.

On my long ten hour drive to Las Vegas, I had time to think of what to expect with the ladies on the card fighting for victory. I came up with every outcome of what was going to happen, which some I was right and others I was way off. Some things go to show that with boxing, nothing is certain.  Any fighter or style can come out in a fight that can change how the opponent looks or fights.

One thing I can say is that the women on the card where very entertaining and make the men's bouts look bad. Most of them where a bore, and the one knock out was a great one, but before that, I wasn't impressed with the match up. So hats off to us women, entertaining the crowd and showing that we can bring fans into the excitement of our fights.

The first exciting fight I watched was Tatina Anderson versus Victoria Cisneros. The first round I had Victoria winning by a close round because she stayed busy but it all seemed to part of Tatina's plan to walk her down and close her out with her power. The second round they started to exchange and brought some power to the game but Tatina was coming out cleaner with her punches in the exchange and it was obvious she had more power. Coming into the third round, they exchanged flurries of punches but Tatina hurt Cisneros and went after her and ended with a TKO in that round. She showed that she was the stronger girl and she took what was hers that night, the win. It was also exciting to sit behind her family. They were yelling and screaming with joy making the show all together more fun. A future champion in the making with a strong supportfull family behind her.

Stacey "Stay-Lo" Reile lost her IBF Super Bantamweight title to Dahiana Santana in a hard fought 10 round fight. This fight may have been the most exciting of the night. Dihiana came into that fight and was determaned to take that tite. Through out the rounds Dihiana lost her pop, but with her determination she pulled out and kept the fight high pace and action packed. Stacey seemed as if she couldn't set her combinations up and do what she wanted to do, mostly hitting off Dihiana's gloves. They both traded good punches but Dahiana was more accurate and in Stacey's face to prove to the crowd whe was going to be the champion. I thought the fight was great, a little lack in technicality but all in all, a great fight.

The last female fight and the main event was Ada Velez versus Melinda Cooper. With Melinda losing the first fight they recently had, she had something to prove to everyone that night, but she could not pull the trigger to get off like she wanted. Ada was in her face and shot her straight left hand like a shotgun in Melinda's face followed by a right hook. A simple combination that worked all night for her.  Ada stayed in Melindas face, moving around, slipping and countering and coming out of exchanges with the better punches. Both ladies put on a great show, but at 41 years of age, Ada showed that she still has it and retained her championship belt. She is just as good as any young figher and Sunday night she proved her age meant nothing.

I was so happy to go to the fights and meet the great fighters and hang out with them. Two great fighters that I look up to, Mellisa Hernandez and Layla McCarter for being to great warriors in the sport. I got to meet Sergio Martinez, who I think is one of the best pound for pound. I would like to thank Team West for accomidationg me and helping us get around in Las Vegas. Two fighters that bring a war, and are best of friends.

Thank you all for reading my blog. Leave a comment

MYBOXINGFANS.COM  THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR GREAT ARTICLES!

After the trials and tribulations that go hand-in-hand when embarking on a female boxing career, newly crowned champion 23-year-old Ava “Lady of Boxing” Knight (7-1-3 4KOs) has hurdled the obstacles and reached the pinnacle of the sport by scooping up former champion Arely “Amatralladora” Mucino’s (14-1-1, 8KOs) IBF Flyweight strap in scintillating fashion via 2nd round KO in Colima, Mexico nearly two weeks ago.

This was the Chico, Californian’s second world title bid — coming up short against Ana Maria Torres in 2009 for the WBC Super Flyweight belt — and the “Lady of Boxing” crossed the border into Mexico prepared for a short night of fist-a-cuffs.

“The first round was just a feel out round for me. I just wanted to see where she [Mucino] was at and what she wanted to do as far as her look. In the second round I saw that she didn’t want to get in and exchange with me, so I started bringing it to her and once I caught her she went down but they called it a slip. Once she got back up and we were told to fight I came in with a combination and knocked her out.”

Knight, a 112 pound champion, has fought as high as bantamweight, 118, and low as junior flyweight, 108. Often bouncing around the division’s because as a woman gladiator on the rise that’s just what you have to do if you want to ply your trade on a regular basis.

“112 pounds is actually a natural weight for me. I walk around at 114 so it’s not hard at all, she [Mucino] actually came in heavier than me that day. I feel strong and the speed is about the same as well as feeling lighter on my feet. I saw after I hit her with the jab she didn’t really want to come in so I knew she felt it.”

In 2009 when Knight traveled to Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico to unsuccessfully challenge for Ana Maria Torres’ super flyweight title in a spirited effort, Ava was less than impressed by the way she was treated by those hosting the event in the boxing rich country. There were failures by the organizers to notify Team Knight on issues of importance and the “Lady of Boxing” felt she was disrespected and placed under bad conditions.

“Mexico went a lot better, a better experience and better people. It was just a good situation and we got treated a lot nicer this time. There was a little bit of a language barrier but everybody tried their best for us to be comfortable and they did everything they could to make sure things went smoothly.”

In a recent piece by Ryan Maquinana of BoxingScene — “Ava Knight on Her Shock KO of Arely Mucino, IBF Title Win” — he points out that Knight is now among an elite list of NorCal world champions. Stars like WBC/WBO Bantamweight boss Nonito Donaire, WBA Super Middleweight champ Andre Ward, WBA/WBO Interim Lightweight titlist Robert Guerrero and WBO Female Jr. Featherweight kingpin Ana Julaton. Upon query about what it feels like to be part of that group of stars, Knight was less than shy about where she feels she stands.

“It feels good, I think I should have been in that group a long time ago because I’ve been here. I’ve been in Northern California doing my thing, doing my best and doing what I do without any help [promotional] but now with the championship belt it gives me more recognition.”

Ava has had an uphill battle trying to entice top fighters into the ring opposite her and I asked if she thought her new trinket would change that struggle.

“I really hope so and I think it opens doors for other fighters to maybe call me out. I want to fight the best, I do not want to go backwards. I don’t want to fight girls with losing records unless they have something to offer or prove. I don’t have any business being in there with lesser opponents, I want to be in there with champions and see what I can do with this flyweight title and with the other girls ahead of me in the rankings, you know, see where we stand.”

Imploring on whether she had a hit list, this is what the IBF Flyweight queen had to say.

“Anyone ahead or above me is on the list. I want to fight women as good as me or ranked better because that’s what I want to prove; whose the best?”

When I touched on whether Knight wanted to unify against the other two champions in her division — Mariana Juarez (WBC) and Susi Kentikian (WBA/WBO) — her answer spoke volumes as to who she is as a fighter.

“I would love to, I’ll even go to their towns.”

Ava Knight is still seeking a promotional company to call her home and with her impressive victory on the 29th to capture the world title, these outfits ought to take notice and discontinue missing out on this diamond in the rough.

“I want to say thank you to Improve Balance, they helped me with the training cost and it’s greatly appreciated. I also want to say thank you to the people at SFC for the sparring and training help, and a big thank you to the fans and all the people that support me.”

You can follow Ava at OfficialAvaKnight.com and visit MyImproveBalance.com

CHECK THE STORY OUT ON MYBOXINGFANS.COM

Saturday night in Colima Mexico, Ava Knight took the IBF Flyweight Worldtitle from Arely Mucino fo Mexico. The fight ended in a second round knock outthat ended the fight with a bang.

Ava Knight: "I walked into that fight confident. I knew that if I wanted to win fare and square, I would have to come out with a knock out because I didn't want any questions to who really won.

Coach Ben Bautista of San Francisco had a plan, and we executed it exactly how we wanted to. Camp was hard, long, and a three hour drive back andforth from Chico to SF for training was brutal, but it was part of my road to becoming champion. I knew this was my chance to grab a title at a weight class I have been yearning to fight in since I started. Flyweight is my naturalweight class, walking around at 114, so staying at this weight class strong is what I aim to do. I feel no one can beat me in the flyweight division and I am determined to stay Champion after 5 long years of being a professional and going through some tough fights that most girls don't see until they reachsuper star status.

The actual fight was short. The first round for me was a feel out round. I wanted to see what she was planning on doing and where she was going to be throwing her punches from. It was a close round, we were both being cautious and watching each other. The second round I noticed the difference infacial expression. After being hit, I saw that she didn't want to exchange anymore. I felt strong, and she was getting a taste of what a real flyweight feels like in the ring. I saw my openings and came in and executed a combination that ended in a straight right hand that dropped her to the floor, which the refereecalled a slip. After that moment I thought, I'm not going to get my knock downs counted for so it's time to get to work. I came in with a body punches that ended with a left hook to the head that took her out. The referee waived the fight off immediately and her corner and the doctor came in to help her.  Concerned about her safety, my corner and I all took a knee and prayed, and when finished, we came up paid our respect toher and enjoyed our victory.  

I am very proud to take home a championship to the people who have paid so much attention, time and love to bring me to this point in my life. I've always heard that I was going to be a world champion, and now I can finally say that I am. I have come to realize that boxing brings people together like family. My boxing family is a large one, but complete in the sense that I only need themto venture on the journey to get me to the top and stay there. Boxing is alonely sport, so the team that backs you up are the people who care enough toput in time and work to see you succeed.

Thank you all for the support and love I have felt for the work that I have been put in. Thank you to my team, SFC, my coach Ben Bautista, sparring partners,the promoter Hector Garcia for the opportunity, Team Mucino for coming into thering, and Improve Balance Bands for sponsoring me for my training camp. I will work hard every day to live my life as a champion and to keep this world title in my hands."

LINK TO VIDEO

Exclusive with the “Lady of Boxing”

Ava Knight

By Esteban Walters

The women of boxing are a special breed and deserve the utmost respect and admiration. These courageous women have chosen to put food on the table in a beautiful but brutal way, mentally and physically, for the love of the sport. Adding to that is the ruthlessness women face outside of the ring trying to come up in a game defined by men where fights, money and support are hard to come by. Men in the sport find these things hard to come by so it doesn’t leave much room in the world of pugilism for these pretty paladins.

Women like bantamweight Ava “Lady of Boxing” Knight (6-1-3, 3KOs) face a discouragingly steep hill to the top and all women like her should be elevated for even attempting such a climb. Female fighters make small money with little exposure and tiny support. Yet these proud mothers and daughters fight tooth and nail to pursue a passion burning so hot that their love of the ring could be the only answer to the age old question, “why do you do it?”

23-year-old Knight of Chico, CA, is the epitome of what it takes to be a woman boxer as she has gone through the gambit of the misfortunes, sacrifices and adaptations to get to where she stands today. Displaying her dedication for what she does, Ava often makes a three hour trek from Chico to San Francisco to train with Ben Bautista of SFC Boxing. The populous of female fighters aren’t many so women like Ava end up fighting the same opponent many times over. Taking fights on short notice or fighting at weights nowhere near your own is the norm in the cutthroat world of feminine fist-a-cuffs.

Knight is a beauty and one of the more popular fighters in the game who is on the cusp of super stardom. She will be challenging for her second world title on Oct. 29th, in Colima, Colima, MEX, at the Pelenque de la Feria when she takes on undefeated Arely “Ametralladora” Mucino (14-0, 8KOs) of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, MEX, in a 10 round scrap for Mucino’s IBF Flyweight title which she’ll be defending for the fourth time broadcast on Televisa and presented by HG Boxing.

It will be one of three championship fights as the main event feature’s 27-year-old Giovanni “El Ruso” Caro (22-9-4, 17KOs) of Mexico City, MEX, taking on Johannesburg, South Africa’s 33-year-old Takalani “Panther” Ndlovu (32-6, 18KOs) in a 12 round contest for the South African’s IBF Super Bantamweight belt.The third title fight has 23-year-old WBO Bantamweight champ Kaliesha “Wild Wild” West (14-1-3, 4KOs) of Moreno Valley, CA, defending her title for the third time in a 10 round tussle against TBA.

This star-studded event will coincide with the 74th edition of the Todos Los Santos Fair which the government presents for its people every year presenting a multitude of events with international quality and excellent concerts.

A flyweight silver medalist at the 2006 National Amateur Championships and two-time San Francisco Golden Gloves titlist, Ava Knight’s only loss came in her first title bid against Mexico’s 31-year-old Ana “La Guerrera” Maria Torres (27-3-3, 15KOs) in 2009 for the WBC Super Flyweight championship in Mexico. Ava faced uphill circumstances leading up to the contest like fighting on short notice among other things but at the end of the day, she lost fair and square to a much more experienced and great champion. Knight fought well and made a good account of herself that night in Mexico, coming away enlightened while gaining immeasurable expertise. The fight with Torres was closer than the tallies would lead you to believe and with the improvements made by the “Lady of Boxing” in the last two years, this is a rematch I’d like to see.

Ava has three draws on her resume and in each case you could argue victory in her favor. One of those draws came in her last fight, a rematch against another popular Californian puglist in the formerly mentioned WBO Bantamweight champion Kaliesha West. The first time the pair met in 2008, Knight beat West by 8 round unanimous decision for the IFBA North American Bantamweight title, giving West her only loss. Ava felt she repeated that scenario this past June but it wasn’t to be and something tells me Knight will get another chance at “Wild Wild” West to clear the smoke.

From the outset of Knights career, she’s played the role of underdog proving the people in the know dead wrong on numerous occasions by pulling of upsets and making the most of her precious opportunities. With her fists, Ava has showed the boxing world that she’s no stepping stone and with a great performance on Oct. 29th, not only will she pick up the IBF Flyweight strap but hopefully the attention of sponsors and a promotional outfit that would enjoy employing a hard working, dedicated and highly skilled boxer on the rise.

Contemporary Kaliesha West just signed a promotional deal with HG Boxing and will also be on the card in Colima, Colima, defending her WBO trinket and the powers that be at HG Boxing will have another chance to scout the skill set of Knight as she takes on their IBF titlist. You’d think a fighter of Ava’s caliber would have a promotional home by now, especially when she’s arguably as good as or even better than the WBO Bantamweight champion but as the old saying goes, “patience is a virtue.”

Knight has a seemingly bright future ahead of her but knows she must win her dream matchup on the 29th in Mexico before she embarks on future mega bouts with the other stars of female boxing.

Ava took the time to speak to me over the phone as she prepares for her championship tilt and here is what the affable boxer had to say.

Esteban Walters: When did you start boxing and how did you get into the sport?

Ava Knight: It was sort of an accident, I was never around boxing as a child and I had never even watched it before. A friend took me to a boxing gym and I used to just mess around, I never took it seriously until I was thirteen.

EW: I can only imagine that a woman who chooses boxing as a career does it for the love of the sport as it’s more difficult for females than males in terms of support. Can you talk about that a little, what you go through as a woman in boxing and why you pursue it?

AV: I think it’s really hard there are not a lot of women to fight. Sometimes it’s not the boxers but the management that doesn’t want them fighting someone better. I go in there and train just like the men do, everything is the same except I just don’t get treated the same. It’s hard but I just look at the positive side, I’m opening a pathway for the younger girls coming up so that they can have it fair. I might have to go through this difficult stage but as long as it [women's boxing] gets where it’s supposed to be its fine with me.

EW: There’s got to be trailblazers!

AV: Exactly. It’s a hard road but I find that doing other things in life make me realize that this is what I want to do and I have people around me who support that and keep me going so it’s good.

EW: I used to visit Chico in high school and know it’s a small party town. Did it make it harder being from such a small town as far as training, sparring or promotional aspects of the game?

AV: Yes being in Chico has been really hard, like traveling as an amateur at least three hours just to get a fight was hard. And training with guys because Chico is so small that finding people who actually want to do a sport like this is hard, so I have sparred guys my entire career. Even to this day, I moved to the Bay area for a year and even some of the girls over there didn’t want to spar me, so it’s kind of ‘lose lose,’ but being in Chico is worse because of where it is.

EW: Do you have a regular job or is it just boxing and school and how do you balance them?

AV: Right now, since I just moved back to Chico a few months ago, I got a small little boxing class going on. It’s not too bad, I live with my boyfriend and he’s very supportive and wants to see me do what I want to do, so that helps a lot. Preparing for this fight is hard because I’m driving three hours out to the Bay area and back but it’s accepted. I work with Ben Bautista out of SFC in San Francisco. He reached out to me and said, ‘Hey, if you come out here we can train you,’ and at the time I was offered a job out there. I took that opportunity and they brought me in and treated me like family so it’s great. Boxing is a lonely sport and that support really helps.

EW: What style of fighter would you say you are and what is your greatest asset or weapon?

AV: I have actually heard a lot of different things from different coaches about what style I have. I don’t really think I have a set style because I can change it up. I’ll say I’m a boxer-puncher. If I get in there with someone who wants to box I can try and outbox them or I can go at them and just bang.

EW: You have a good resume and I know you felt you won the draws on your record. Your only loss was to Ana Maria Torres for the WBC Super Flyweight title. How did that loss affect you and do you feel you learned anything in that fight that makes you a better fighter today?

AV: Yes, that fight was the most important fight I ever had. Not just because it was my only loss but because of the situations that happened with the whole fight. Before the fight I hurt my back but decided that I couldn’t give up the opportunity. So I didn’t train two weeks out before the fight, I did light training but that was it. When I went down there [Mexico] I felt like I was being treated unfairly. Things weren’t told to me and stuff was being done that I didn’t think was necessary. They just put me in these bad conditions and it made me feel like I just didn’t want to be there anymore but after the fight I realized that this is just what people do. They want their people to win and they’ll do anything they can to get it done. They brought me down there just to pay me to leave. I lost all ten rounds, I thought I won at least four of those but the cards came out different. I knew she won though, no argument there. I do want my second chance though, I know it would be a different story because now I know what to expect.

EW: You’ve made a name for yourself in boxing and become a popular fighter, especially on the West Coast. There’s another popular Californian in Kaliesha West whom you fought twice. You beat West the first time and drew with her in June. Kaliesha recently signed with HG Boxing. My question to you is, do you feel like maybe you’re being overlooked or does that inspire you even more knowing you got the better of West?

AV: It does and it doesn’t. Sometimes I do feel like I’m being overlooked. Maybe it’s because of my record, it’s not 10-0 or 14-0, and it doesn’t look great. I think if you look at my record and who I have fought is what makes me, not the better fighter, I don’t think I’m better than her [Kaliesha] either, but it just shows what type of fighter I am going in, I’m not in there to be someone that gets beat up, I’m there to find out whose the better boxer. Kaliesha’s opportunity at catching a promoter is awesome she deserves it, we all deserve it. She got that chance and I feel it’s great. We are actually fighting on the same card in Mexico on the 29th so I’m actually excited to go out there with her. It’s great that Kaliesha has a promoter, I’m a little upset that I haven’t found one yet but if it’s gonna happen it’s gonna happen. I’m an exciting fighter so hopefully it catches on.

EW: “You’ll be fighting Arely Mucino for the IBF Flyweight strap. Do you know much about her and what will you need to do to come away with that belt?

AV: “She’s a good fighter with the typical come forward Mexican style and bully your opponent to make them quit or frustrate them. For me, I come from a structure of fighting alongside Mexicans so it’s not a problem. I think it’s gonne be, not easy, I don’t take anyone lightly but the coaches have got me doing the right thing and we’ve studied her. We’ve got the right thing going on and we fell we’ll come out victorious. The only thing is that I’m not going to win on points and I’m taking that into considerstion.

EW: What would it mean to you to become a world champion?

AV: It would mean a lot. The only time I won a championship was against Kaliesha [IFBA North American Bantamweight] and that was a big deal to me, she’s top notch. So winning this one will be even bigger and hopefully it opens more doors for me so I can get out there and fight more champions. I want to fight the best.

EW: How does Ava Knight want to be remembered in boxing when it’s all said and done?

AV: At the end of it all I just want to be the one who came up and did what a real fighter is supposed to do. I want to be the champ that never gives up so that the younger girls can say, ‘That’s how I want to be.’ I want to be known for my heart and the respect that I have for the game of boxing. Most importantly though, I want to be remembered as a positive role model.

EW: Do you have a message for your fans in closing?

AV: I just want people to go check out my website OfficialAvaKnight.com to see what I’m all about, don’t judge me by what you see. I just want people to know what women’s boxing is all about and I want to send a special thanks to all the people that have sponsored and supported me through out the years.

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Team Knight is hard away at camp. Ben Bautista has me working hard and he has a great game plan to get this fight going for me. Arely Mucino will be no push over, but she will have her work put out for her also. This is going to be a top knotch fight for the flyweight devision and I am still in need of some help.

Our Team still needs some uniform for the fight and I still need help with training costs. Anyone who would like to help please let us know avaknight15@yahoo.com. Agknowlegement and other ways we can help compensate for help can negotiated.

This will be a televised fight on Televisa and will have big press around it. I would love to see local and abroud business help out female boxing.

Thank You,

Team Knight