(JAN 27) WBAN has put out a "Missing In Action" on women boxers who
have not been heard from for awhile. We have the latest
updates on some of these boxers! These are updates on active,
inactive, and retired boxers who have been out of touch with WBAN
for a bit!
Trina Ortegon is still a Commissioner
for New Mexico. She is getting together an ABC certification seminar
and workshop for their officials.
Ortegon said, "We are inviting Joe Cortez to give a referee seminar
and Chuck Giampa to give a Judges seminar. Their seminars are going
to be on the same weekend as our ABC certification Seminar in an
effort to help all of New Mexico's officials. We are also inviting
the tribal commissions to better our working relations with the
tribes."
Ortegon is back at the gym on Fridays working out with "Coach Irene
Garcia." Ortegon trains to keep me in shape and keep a
sharpness to her boxing skills.
"It really helps me keep the big picture in mind. Everyone who boxes
know you just can't leave the heavy bags, the ring, and sparring
behind. We are always fine tuning footwork and sharpening up on
movement. I even sparred four rounds with my old gym mate and corner
woman Dr. Audrey Urbano. It helps with timing."
On October 3, 2005, Lucia said
"farewell" to her mom, who passed away on that date. If any of
you got an opportunity to see "Shadow Boxer", which was a fantastic
documentary
There is some footage of Lucia and her mother and it is not hard to
see that they shared a very special and unique relationship.
Rijker told WBAN, "I
wrote, released and publicized my Biography "LUCIA a Million Dollar
Babe". The book is in Dutch, and there is information about it on luciarijker.net. It is in
it's second publication, and has had success.
Rijker has gone to Barcelona to visit gyms, Barcelona to visit gyms, Banglades with NOVIB
an organization that fights poverty worldwide, to help young women
who are raped and abused and put to prostitution at the age of 12.
She has
also talked and raised millions of Euros to fight against and to
protect the rights of young boys age 5 who are (stolen or
bought away from there poor parents) to Dubai and sold as jockeys to
race camels. Rijker raised in a fundraiser 10.000 euros for a private
boxing lesson and a total of 234.180 Euros for the Red Cross. She
then went back to her roots in the inlands of Surinam (South America) the most beautiful and rich country when it comes down to
nature.
Rijker said that her Achilles is healing perfectly and she is slowly
running at this point.
At this time Jen Childers is
co-promoting a show tonight (Jan 27) in
Indianapolis with F & F Berns Boxing. Jen recently married (on Dec.
9th 2005). Her husband, Jimmy "The British Assassin" Campbell is a pro
boxer and will have his third pro fight on the show.
Jen said, "I recently moved
to Indianapolis where my hubby has lived for the past year. Instead
of training, I was moving, playing wedding planner and spending a
little extra time with my daughter Jaren (who is 6 years old). I
would like to fight again and recently began training with my
husband and his trainer, Gerald Reed. I talked many times about a
come back; the reason I did not is because I did not feel confident
stepping back in the ring. I was in Evansville, Indiana and didn't
have the resources (the training) to make it happen. If I can focus
full time on boxing then I will be in the ring in Feb or March of
this year. When I step in the ring I want people to notice a drastic
change. When I first began fighting they told me, You're 6'2"---throw
the jab and a right hand; no one will get in close". I look at tapes
and crack up because I didn't know what the hell I was doing out
there. Now women are taller, more skilled, total athletes and I won't
step in the ring looking like an amateur again."
Boxing fans miss Velez! Her last
fight: Against Anita Christensen in January 2004. Velez lost a
very controversial split decision.
In the eighth
round, Christiansen was knocked down to the canvass, but got up and
finish the fight. After the scores were read out for the
Christiansen – Velez fight, Velez was in disbelief, and in one
report said that Velez “could not believe her ears.” That was
Velez's last fight. Velez is now working full time, and
dedicating her time taking care of her son. It is unknown if Velez
will return to the ring---she has not been in the gym for about
eight months.
It has been a VERY long time since we
have gotten an update on Collins. Her last fight was in
May of 2001, when she fought Christy Martin. Team Colllins
told WBAN, "Kathy has been very busy the last few years. As
you know we (Frankie G and Kathy) have the Gym which is a full time
deal. She trains many clients every week. She is also involved
with several up and coming fighters, 3 pros, 2 of which are male and
one women ( the one woman being Jamie McGrath, 115 lbs) with a lot
of experience as an amateur. Kathy is also involved as a
Manager for several of our fighters who belong to my production Co.
( Frankie "G" Sports and Entertainment ) Our dates for upcoming
events in New York are Feb 3rd, March 8th, Sept 14th, Dec 8th,
in AC New Jersey are July 14th. As of Now, But most of all the
Baby (Savannah) has become the best thing that ever happened to
Kathy. She iIs the best mom any one could have. With all that she is
involved with nothing comes before Savannah. Kathy is very happy the
way her boxing career was and is still progressing to a different
part of the sport now."
Wyman has been working her tail off at
her Fitness Studio in Woodland Hills. Her second year anniversary is
coming up this February.
Jo Jo told WBAN, "2005 proved to be very challenging for me. Unlike
any boxing match I have ever been in or prepared for. II went
through brain surgery in March '05 and then sinus surgery December
'05, while I worked 10 to 12 hours a day with Sundays off."
Jo Jo said that she is still in great shape, pro bally better then
before because she is not over training.
"I feel great and would love to get back in there but I have a bunch
of people that would tie me down. Besides that, it could mean
my life and no amount of money is worth that chance. Well maybe! See
how we think. Here is another thought of a retired athlete, just
give me one round I will get that belt", added Wyman.
Wyman said, "I invite any boxer to contact me for a FREE sport
specific work out that will take them to the next level guaranteed!
Isra told WBAN, "Raging Promotions (my
husband and I) are still promoting fights! I have recently got my
real estate license in DC and buying and selling houses in the
district!
Still training here and there to stay in shape and cause I still
love the workout. I had a baby girl in July and she is now 6 months
old!"
Many boxing fans have asked about
Sunshine Fettkether. Her last fight happening in May of
2004 against Lucia Rijker in Holland. Her team wrote into WBAN
and said, "Sunshine is doing great and has been busy studying
Culinary
Arts. And....for the last seven months she has been even busier
producing a future world champion.....Maximus Michael Fettkether
is due to arrive the first week of March 2006!"
Nicholas has contacted WBAN, via IRAQ,
and she wrote the following: "hello, I hope this letter finds you
doing whatever makes you happy and free. I say this because it has
been 13 months that I have been over here and the freedoms we take
for granted in our everyday lives are not quite available here.
Everywhere I go, I am checked and double checked. Can’t go into eat,
go to the PX, go to the gym, just about anywhere without having to
show an ID just to enter a room/building. And to top it off we work
12-14 hours/day, 7 days a week ...no days off except when we go on
R&R (once every 4 months). I have been approached about staying on
and continuing my work here but I am not sure I want to do another
year. I enjoy teaching the soldiers but I miss my home and its
freedoms. The military personnel are so very young...19, 20, 21 most
of them and eager to learn. It’s a shame, these soldiers; boys and
girls, are not even old enough to buy beer yet they are here risking
their lives for freedom and the abolishment of terrorism, they carry
M16s or M4s some with grenade launchers and some set up on tripods,
yet the last thing they really remember is homecoming dance and the
big football game before becoming an American soldier. This is the
new generation of adults, willing to risk what they have...their
lives, for a better tomorrow. Most of these kids can’t afford
college and their families are struggling to pay bills so they only
way to guarantee themselves a decent job is to be educated and the
military allows them to trade a few years of their life for a chance
at a better tomorrow. Sorry to get off on my perspective of the war
over here, but it is amazing that the youth are battling an enemy
they don’t even know. I have been here through two different
battalions and this is the third that just arrived before Christmas
so the others could go home. I will send you some pictures if you
would like, just let me know what type of pictures you want I will
surely take them for you. I will be going home for R&R next week and
I will return to Iraq on the 10 of February. Thank you
again for thinking of me and I am very happy that I am not forgotten
in the world of boxing. I continue to train as I train the soldiers
and I have kept my skills up ...maybe I will come back to the states
and do one last hoorah in the ring before announcing my retirement.
I would like to fight Mahfood or really damn near anybody, you know
me I don’t dodge anyone and I’ll fight anyone...twice or three
times...Let’s do it Ann Wolfe! "
Ortega has been a part of the Kansas
City, Missouri fire department for the last two years. Anyone
who knows how competitive it is to get in a fire department will
appreciate the fact that Ortega took a test to begin with that had
more than 1,000 people taking that test. Ortega told WBAN, "If you
pass the test, you were invited to an interview. If you answered the questions
the way they wanted you were
invited to a second interview. Only 360 people were asked back."
| From there that point Ortega
was put on a list according to how well the person did, in
answering second round of questions. The applicants
were numbered 1-360 (1 would be |
|
| the person who scored
the highest and so on...) and the first 200-225 would most likely
get hired. Ortega was number 19! |
Ortega then went through a 16-week
academy, with the first eight weeks preparing her for the C-PAT
which is a physical, they have to pass in order to continue in the
academy.
There were four women in Ortega's class, and she was the only one to
make it through.
Ortega told WBAN, "I don't think I realized how important it was to be
in great physical condition. I thank god for boxing and for a crazy-a__ coach that put me through some killer workouts. Without that
I don't think with being my size, I would have been able to pass
it either."
The course was very difficult and she had to pass it in 10:20. It
simulated all the different stages of a fire. First Ortega had to go a
on a stair machine for 3:20 with 75 lbs. on her back. When that
was over she had to take off 25 lbs and do the rest of the course with a 50 lb vest
on. The other part of the course was dragging
a 175 lb dummy down and a
round a cone and back. Ortega's time: 9 minutes!
Ortega said, "AND now I have one
of the best jobs ever!"
Her shifts run 24 hours on, 48 hours off--and every 9th work day she
gets five days off. Having this type of job, Ortega is able to have
ample time for training. She gets up at 5:30 am every morning to run
between 4-6 miles - except on the the days that she works where she
gets up at 4:30!
"I have to be
there at 6:30. After I get done running I come home and eat
breakfast relax and stretch out. Depending on the weather I go to
the gym with my boyfriend or outside to run sprints and stairs and
do plyometrics at 11. Then I go home
eat lunch, go on about my day until about 3:30 when I go get my
boxing workout done then I go back to my other gym to lift."
Ortega's boyfriend is a personal trainer, and a great asset to her
lifting and nutrition program. Ortega added, "He's also my best friend, we have been together
for three years. He's
been my rock through so many hard times."
Ortega said that she would like to say
to all the young females out there that
its not just a man's world anymore, women are making it happen, and
not just in boxing!
"Out of a little over a 1000 fire fighters in KCMO, only about 40 of us are female. But never let that stop you,
you can achieve anything. No matter what any of say about the other,
it takes guts to get in the ring. It takes guts to devote so much to
a sport that doesn't always give a lot back. I don't really know how much longer I want to box----I've been
boxing since I
was just about 15, and I turned pro at barely 17. I want to become
more active in helping young women pursue their dreams. I also want
to get into more of the coaching.
It feels good to watch someone start out and become better everyday.
I won the IWBF title at 108 and though it felt great, i feel that
there is something more I need."
Ortega wanted to thank Terri Moss for coming to
Kansas city to fight her, as she knows it is hard to go to other peoples'
hometown.
Ortega said, "She didn't act afraid one
bit. I would still love to fight Elena Reid and Regina Halmich. They
have a lot of ring experience also and I think those would make great
fights, and would love to travel where ever to fight them. My coach
spoke with Wendy Rodriguez's father and they said they would like to
fight too. I heard she has excellent boxing skills so I think that
would be a great fight. I want to try and stay between 108-112,
but I know that's not always the case. 105 would be pushing it but I
could make it and 115 is above what I walk around at. As much as I
love boxing, I don't really want to punish my body fighting bigger
girls anymore. I punish it enough at work. I'm back down to my
normal weight and I won't lie it feels great. I'm not very big to
start with at five feet tall, so I feel more comfortable hanging around
112 walking around. Hopefully I'll get to fight some of the other
top people before I hang up my gloves."
