(JAN 9) Yesterday while attending the Junior and Youth Nationals, in Reno, Nevada, I had a great opportunity to meet up with Olympic coach Gloria Peek. Gloria has been in boxing for 36 years and is a pioneer in this sport. While speaking with Gloria, I found her to be one of the most informative, and educative conversations that I have had while at this event.  Gloria who has broken barriers as a female in a male-dominated sport.

In one of my questions that was an obvious one I asked....Gloria did you become an Olympic coach because women were finally allowed into the Olympics?

Gloria said, "many people want tie the two together but I have been a candidate for the last 5 Olympics. I have been coaching for 36 years. I was chosen because I have trained men at the elite level for years."

We also talked about Claressa Shields and females in the Olympics.

My question to Gloria was, since Shields won the Gold the first time and sentiment about female boxing hasn't changed much, would a second gold medal from Shields make a difference?

"I believe our females are saving boxing." Gloria said.

"Our females have worked hard, sacrificed and done well," added Gloria.

Gloria went on to tell me that she was hoping that the females would get more weight classes added for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but if they did that they would have to take some weight classes from the men.

So of course I asked , "If they take weight classes from the men which weight classes should they take?

Gloria said that some of the men's weight classes where they don't have many entering like the smaller weight divisions should be a consideration, and that there are some men's weight classes that aren't pulling in enough men. Those should be the weight classes to be eliminated.

Moving onto my questions about AIBA, I then asked her if she could see the AIBA adding more weight classes.

"Yes I do. I would like to see the men have seven weight classes instead of 11. Then the women will get more opportunities--- because women's boxing has been considered a joke and that sentiment is changing."

When I asked her why the men didn't win any medals she said she thought that is because the USA used to be the dominate decision maker for scoring and style of boxing but now AIBA has control.

Gloria said that the AIBA had added changes to style of boxing and how it's scored. When they did this we did not make the proper training, competition changes etc., to follow suit so now we are way behind the curve.

"I see that with us following the AIBA rules and starting to do things like a residential program like the other countries it will take a while but we will catch up," said Gloria.

We talked about the elimination of headgear and we agree on this issue.

"Having a kid fight without headgear is dangerous. They will sustain concussions, cuts to the face and this is not healthy for our young boxers. When they turn pro nobody is going to want to sign them because they will be damaged goods," says Gloria.

After getting this opportunity to talk with Gloria, I feel like I have a 'breath of life' for female boxing in me. I know that she has broken barriers. I know that she has made big changes for female boxers.

This female Elite Coach gives her hardworking, sacrifice and commitment to the sport and every and any female coach should talk with her. She is a vital and valuable person who is instrumental in changing the mind set of female boxing in the USA for female coaches and female boxers alike.

My new hero is Gloria Peek!