Women's Boxing: Latest News in Women's Boxing

(APR 30) WBAN recently got an opportunity to go one on one with IBA World champion Wendy Rodriguez. She is presently preparing to fight Hollie "Hot Stuff" Dunaway in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on June 13th on a PPV event. Rodriguez talked about some of her world title bouts that resulted in draws, who she would like to fight, her read on the sport, and more!

TL Fox: What ever got you interested in getting into boxing? Did you do any other contact sports before getting involved in boxing?

W.R: I started boxing to lose weight. I was a little heavier and wanted to get into shape so I began taking box aerobics classes. A few months after, I transitioned to full contact boxing. I also thought that it was a good idea to learn to defend myself so I tried it and haven�t stopped since.

TL Fox: You had some prior experience in the amateurs before turning pro. How long did you compete in the amateurs, and what made you decide to turn pro?

W.R: I competed in the amateur for about one year. I only had six amateur fights. It was really hard for me to get a fight due to my weight. I was encouraged to turn pro after not being able to get any opponents. I also realized that I was good enough for the pros and wanted to make a difference in women�s boxing.

TL Fox: It is apparent that you fought other boxers as a pro in your opponent�s backyard. In one particular fight, you went to Texas to fight Austin's Anissa Zamarron in a 10-round bout for the IBA junior flyweight title, and came out of the fight with a draw. What did you think of the decision of that fight when it was declared a draw?

W.R: I was surprised when they declared the fight a draw. Anissa is a great and strong fighter. However, I thought that I had the fight won. Unfortunately the judges saw a different fight and neither of us took the IBA belt home.

TL Fox: In another close encounter for the IBA Junior Flyweight title, you delivered undefeated boxer and world champion, Margaret Sidoroff her first �draw�. Did you get frustrated to fight in another world title bout, and then walk away with nothing when the fight ended in a draw?

W.R: I did get frustrated to get another draw for the same title. I work so hard in the gym to come back home empty handed. These two experiences were not only motivational, but they taught me not to leave the decision in the hands of the judges. It has made me a more aggressive and a smarter fighter. It helped me go after my opponents more now.

TL Fox: Out of all of the fights that you have had as a pro, who by far has been your toughest opponent?

W.R: I think that my toughest opponent would have to be myself. I have let certain things get in the way of fighting my own fight. I have lost concentration and it has stopped me from performing to the best of my ability. I might have been physically prepared but not mentally.

TL Fox: Who would you like to have a rematch with?

W.R: I would have liked to have a rematch with Regina Halmich, Margaret Sidoroff, and Patricia Martinez. These are girls that I have fought and lost to or gotten a draw with, but they are retired. I'm getting a second chance to prove myself with Holly Dunaway and I am very excited about that. These are all well respected fighters and I only want to fight the best.

TL Fox: We have noticed that you delivered WBC world champion Carina Moreno her only loss on her record. Have you been asked as of yet to rematch with her, and if so, is there any potential date for her to avenge that loss with you?

W.R: I was called by one of her people a few months back about fighting her, but they never got back to me. I was offered to fight Carina for this June 13 fight. I don't know what happened. I ended up being matched up with Holly Dunaway which I didn't mind. I fought her and lost. It is a loss I have to avenge, so I accepted.

TL Fox: On June 13, 2008, you will be on one of the very top all-women�s card that will be televised on Pay-Per-View. You will be fighting Hollie Dunaway, which is a fight that you will get an opportunity to avenge your loss with Dunaway. What is your prediction in this rematch against Dunaway?

W.R: You will see a different person in there. Nothing has motivated me as much as losing a fight I wasn�t a 100-percent ready for. I don�t want to take anything away from Holly � she�s a great fighter and fought a great fight. However, this fight will be nothing like the last one: I�m stronger, I�m faster, I�m in better shape, and my stamina is better.

TL Fox: You are currently the IBA Junior Flyweight champion, but you will actually be fighting on June 13th, in a lighter weight class [straw weight]. Is there a reason you are not going to defend that title and want to go in fighting for a vacant title for the IBA?

W.R: Straw weight is my natural weight. You have to remember, a lot of time I walk around under the fight limit; if there was a lower fight limit, I would fight there. In other words, flyweight and even other fights I�ve fought have been way out of my weight class � when was the last time you heard Oscar De La Hoya or Mayweather do that? The reason is because I�m very confident in my skills and I just love to fight and want to show my skills to the world.

TL Fox: While in women�s boxing, what is the very highest moment you have had in the sport---and what was the very lowest moment thus far for you in the sport?

W.R: There is nothing like having the referee raise your hand and declare you the winner of any fight but especially a title fight. My goal from when I first started fighting was to become a world champion. I accomplished that and I was recognized as one of the top fighters.

W.R: Lowest moments are bad fights � not necessarily a loss but a fight that I fought that wasn�t a good fight: a fight where the crowd didn�t enjoy what they saw. I�m all about customer service and I want to bring full value for the money; I want the fans to go home and say �wow, did you see Wendy�s fight?� or �the women�s fight was better than the men�s� � I just want to inspire other women to go out there and be what they want to be and do what they want to do.

TL Fox: Do you have a �hit List� for any boxer you would really like to fight, or rematch?

W.R: I�d like to fight Hulya Sahin, Joo-He Kim, Susi Kentikian, and any one who I haven't fought.

TL Fox: How long do you anticipate that you will stay in the sport, boxing professionally?

As long as it is fun, as long as I enjoy it, which seems like a very long time. I would love to be here when we have the �soccer movement� of women�s boxing. I want to be the Mia Hamm of boxing; the Billie Jean King of boxing.

TL Fox: What is your read in the sport---is it getting better for women boxers, or worst?

W.R: I think women are more respected today than before. Women are seen as legit fighters and not just a rougher version of mud wrestling. I see a lot of really, good female fighters out there and often, I see female fights that are way better than male ones. We are often more technical and tougher; we�re bringing back the art of finesse in fighting that so few male fighters have today. In other words, fighting with the touch of a woman.

WBAN would like to thank Wendy Rodriguez for this opportunity to interview her before her fight with Hollie Dunaway.