By John J. Raspanti, Doghouse Boxing. Ava "Lady of Boxing" Knight’s favorite punch is a left hook.
Eight
months ago at the Palenque de la Feria, in Colima, Mexico City, that
hook knocked out undefeated flyweight champion Arely Mucino in the
second round. Knight, 23, had achieved her dream of winning a
championship, but to the San Francisco native, the victory was only the
beginning.
“I want to fight the best girl,” said Knight during a
recent interview. “I want the biggest challenge for myself. I want to
help women’s boxing by fighting quality fights. That’s the way we can
make women’s boxing better.”
Knight’s road to the championship has been filled with various potholes.
“My parents put me in ballet when I was little girl,” Knight said with a chuckle. “They put my sister in karate. I was always jealous because I was never much of a girlie-girl, but my sister was."
“I never understood why they did that,” said Knight. "When I got older, I went to the boxing gym.”
Interestingly,
the future champ was told by many adults that they admired her ballet
abilities. Her interest was in something more physical. Knight tried out
for the high school wrestling team. At 17, she moved to boxing.
What is it about the sport that she likes so much?
“Boxing
is a gladiator sport,” said Knight. “It’s all about yourself. You have a
team, but you have to prepare for the fight. If anything goes wrong
it’s your fault.”
Early in her career, Knights father came to the
gym to watch her. She learned his support of her fighting career went
beyond parental pride.
“My dad boxed as an amateur,” said Knight.” He’d never mentioned he boxed until after I started boxing.”
Though
a boxing pedigree, Knight didn’t study the sport that closely. Now
though, as her career progresses, Knight has begun to examine the
careers of other boxers.
“I go and look at other fighters now, “Knight said. “I’m a big fan of the styles of Tommy Hearns and Marvin Hagler.”
How does she describe her style?
“I
would say I’m a boxer-puncher,” said the young champion. “I have the
power, but sometimes I box. It all depends on who I’m in there with.”
Knight discovered several years ago that she has many fans in Poland.
“I’m the first generation born here in America from Poland,“ said Knight. “My dad is African-American. I have a lot of family in Poland. We talk online. They are really excited about my career. They love it.”
Knight (9-1-3, 5 KOs) will likely be back in the ring next month again in Mexico. Her dream is to fight in her hometown of San Francisco. The way her career is blossoming, the dream could soon become a reality.
“The crowd kind of made it a U.S.A. versus Mexico," Knight said. “ I didn’t let it bother me.”
She injured her right hand during the contest.
“I
don’t mean to make this sound bad but - she has a real hard head,” said
Knight laughing. “I hurt my hand. It was a big deal in the ring. My
whole demeanor changed. I learned to fight with an injury. It (the
injury) taught me a valuable lesson.”
Knight will likely be back
in the ring next month again in Mexico. Her dream is to fight in her
hometown of San Francisco. The way her career is blossoming, the dream
could soon become a reality.”
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