| |
(MAR 21)
Alicia “Slick” Ashley (10-5-1) travels to Laughlin, Nevada to face
challenger Elena “Baby Doll” Reid, (16-1-5) in the second fight of
the all women’s
series “A Ring of Their Own.” Born in Jamaica, 37 year old Alicia grew up in
Brooklyn and now resides in Westbury, Long Island New York. Her amateur
background is nothing short of awesome—New York City Golden Gloves Champion
in 1996, 1997, 1998, and USA Boxing National Amateur Gold Medallist in 1997
and 1998. Turning professional in 1999, Alicia has faced many of the top
contenders in her career, and now looks forward to her main event meeting
with Reid, who is undefeated in 20 fights.
AG: after exactly one year off, you’re returning against the #3 ranked
bantamweight, Elena Reid. And you’re the #3 ranked super bantam.
ALICIA ASHLEY: I didn’t take a year off. I had fights that fell through at
the last minute, in June, October and February. But I have trained the
entire time. I don’t consider it as time off at all.
AG: you and Reid are both southpaws—that sometimes presents an awkward
fight.ALICIA AHSLEY: I don’t think
so…most of the time I don’t notice it. It will become as natural as if two
orthodox were fighting. It would only be awkward if it were an orthodox and
a southpaw. I don’ t think it will be awkward at all.
AG: your highly successful amateur background gives you a big advantage a
lot of girls don’t get, is that true?
ALICIA ASHLEY: definitely I think everyone
needs to go through the experience of an amateur career. I’ve been watching
the experience level now of the amateur fighters, and they are very serious
in their training. The caliber of amateur fighters now is so much greater
than when I started. And trainers are willing to train women at this time.
AG: how did you get the knick name “Slick?”
ALICIA ASHLEY: because it’s hard to hit me. And that’s because of my dance
background… I move a lot. I have more of a boxing than a brawling style.
AG: what have you got in your arsenal for the younger, smaller, Elena Reid?
ALICIA ASHLEY: I think the one thing is I do
move a lot. I don’t think she’s met anyone that moves like I do…that will be
very new to her. I do think they’ve underestimated me. Even though my record
is not as impressive as
hers, I’ve been in with championship caliber fighters--- Laura Serrano,
Kelsey Jeffries. Chevelle Hallback. Layla McCarter. I’ve fought more
champion caliber fighters than she has. And I’ve won two titles, the IEBF
feather,
which I relinquished and am currently the IWBF super bantam champ. Every one
of the fighters I’ve fought have had winning records. Also the fact of the
matter is I always go into hostile territory, and you have to work a little
more when you’re not in a comfortable environment.
AG: Hector Roca has been your trainer since your pro debut. ALICIA ASHLEY:
my entire pro career. He’s the best!
When Alicia is not occupied with training and fighting, her career as a
paralegal in a Manhattan law firm keeps her busy, and this former
professional dancer has a film debut scheduled for this summer called
“Strangers With Candy,” which is based on a former show on the Comedy
Central channel.
Alicia is excited about “A Ring of Their Own,” and has nothing but praise
for the series. “It’s really about time! It’s so much more exciting
watching the women than
it has been watching the guys in a long time. I saw the first fight
televised here in New York, and the one thing I really loved was Rock and
Sock put together good caliber fighters. The fighters were so close in
experience you just didn’t know who’d win. On men’s cards you have such
blowouts between the women, it’s not good to watch. The first fights were
all great. And that’s definitely what we need.”
As far as the fight on the 26th, Alicia continued to express her enthusiasm
about the series: “I think it’s gonna be a wonderful fight with lots of
excitement! I want to thank Rock & Sock, Arnie, Wanda and everyone for
thinking of me, and for putting this promotion together!”
Elena Reid and Alicia Ashley will battle it out for eight rounds in the main
event on March 26, at Harrah’s in Laughlin, Nevada.
#
# #
#
For Online IWBHF Tickets for
Next Event!
Check Our Next Annual International
Women's Boxing Hall of Fame Event that we have to celebrate hour IWBHF
Inductees and Special Award Recipients!
Next Event, Go Here!
Our Online
WBAN/IWBHF Online Store
Proceeds from the Online Store is to
continue our mission to support the INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S BOXING HALL OF
FAME. The Official collection includes IWBHF and WBAN Merchandise and
Memorabilia from the WBAN Boxing Collection. We will continue to list
items from the collection and merchandise.
|
|
