Friendly debate over So Cal’s female boxers
Coach Jorge Porras (c) of the Porras Boxing Gym in Fallbrook, Ca. poses for a photo with Araceli Tinoco (l) and Guadalupe Yanes (r) after their exciting bout on April 18, 2010, in which Yanes came out victorious. Photo: Jim Wyatt
When you write on deadline a quick sports article and express an opinion, you have to expect there will be some positive and negative feedback. Well, respected Las Vegas boxing coach, Butch Gottlieb of Infinity Boxing, Las Vegas, had some negative thoughts about how I was propping Southern California’s female boxers. I’m sure if he was in my position, he’d be doing the same. More than likely, he feels all the best female boxers train in Las Vegas.
Anyway, here are the emails that we exchanged, Thursday, March 24, 2011, concerning the article I wrote on Wednesday, March 23, regarding the upcoming boxing tournament, Todas Contra Mexico in Chiapas, Mexico, which begins Saturday, March 26, 2011.
From: Boxinginlasvegas@aol.com
To: SportofBoxing.com
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011
Subject: Female Fighters
Jim, I just got through reading your article on “Todas Contra Mexico.”
The part that got me was your comment: I figured I should do some research and find out more about this snubbing of our local talent. Everyone knows that Southern California is one of the world’s hotbeds for boxing.
Please name me one fighter from So Cal that is a 122 pounder that could commit to going away for 4-6 weeks and has the talent to participate in this endeavor?
There are only 8 girls on the “World” team and each one represents a different country so what does that have to do with So Cal?
The article focusing on the tournament is great BUT the part about Maureen snubbing So Cal is ridiculous.
The base for the whole thing is to bring attention to the female fighters. They train just as hard as any male fighter and they fight just as hard and for the most part, if the fight is matched up properly, the women’s fight is the best fight on the boxing card.
Please concentrate on the show and what it is bringing to the boxing public and not that So Cal feels snubbed because that has NOTHING to do with the show or what it represents.
And for your information, I happen to also be the manager of Crystal Hoy and I used to manage Jennifer Salinas.
Butch Gottlieb, Infinity Boxing LLC
Reply from SportofBoxing.com
Re: Female Fighters
From: James Wyatt
To: Boxinginlasvegas@aol.com
Dear Mr. Gottlieb, After doing further research, I can see your point. I guess I’m getting too caught up in giving props to our local Southern California boxers (especially those from the San Diego and Tijuana area). The reason for my quick assertion was the belief they were overlooking local professionals like Amaris Quintana (4-0-2) of the Gutierrez Gym in South San Diego, Jolene Blackshear (5-3-0) of the Alliance Training Center in Chula Vista, Rhonda Luna (16-2-0) of Irvine, CA, Kina Malpartida (12-3-0) of Longbeach, CA. by way of Peru, Araceli Tinocco (122 lbs.) and Guadalupe Yanes (122 lbs.) who are outstanding (USA) amateurs working out at the Porras Gym in Fallbrook, CA. These are just a few of the young ladies. I’m sure I have overlooked a few more. I would be willing to bet that 90% of these ladies would be willing to travel south and compete in this tournament. Plus I am confident the two amateurs I mentioned from Fallbrook, would do very well.
The reason I jumped to such a quick decision? I saw the name Keisher McLeod-Wells of Brooklyn, New York and several other ladies on the list of 12 boxers and I knew they were currently fighting as Flyweights (105 to 112 lbs.). The fact that they’re mixing in a a natural welterweight and more than a few super-featherweights changes the whole landscape. It now appears only five of the ladies in this tournament have a legitamate shot at winning that $100,000. Why? Because of their experience and weight advantage.
Sure the lighter fighters, like McLeod-Wells, can put that added weight on (in her case 12 lbs.), but it will definitely slow her down – especially when she goes up against the gals who are naturally larger and heavier. Even in the group photo you can see the disparity in their sizes.
Regards, Jim Wyatt, SportofBoxing.com
If you have a differing opinion or you want to weigh in – add your comments below. I’m sure the boxers in Texas, Arizona and Florida would be willing to debate that their female boxers are better.
