Former IWBF Junior Lightweight champion
Melissa "Honey Girl" Salamone fought to a 10-round draw with
WIBF Junior Lightweight champion
Laura Serrano in Miami on August 12th, 2000.
One year earlier, she had won the IWBF title by a narrow
decision over Lena Akesson. Melissa sent this
message to the Women's Boxing Page on August 16th, 2000.
To my biggest supporters and others,
Understand one thing ... I am not a big fan
of women's boxing. I admire any woman who has the courage and desire to try and
excel in this sport. It is a very dangerous and demanding sport.
I continue to
box because I am, or was, doing well in the sport.
My shortcomings of this
fight were a result of my one year absence from the ring. I am not making any
excuses. I fought terrible.
Laura Serrano was the better of the two that night.
She is an excellent fighter, as is Lena Åkesson ...
But, people, help me out a
little bit here ... what decision the judges came to has nothing to do with me.
I am a good, humble, and honest person. I never claimed to be better than
anyone. I never put anyone down. I only talk of what I can do for this reason
... as a true warrior I took this fight. I knew the people deserved to see it.
In all reality I should not have taken this fight so soon after my layoff. I was
told that no one else would fight her so I stepped in.
My problem is this ... I
am trying to help women's boxing become better. Every chance I get I promote
it and say the little positive things that are in it.
But when I continue to
hear the derogatory remarks about myself and when I have been given the
unsportsmanlike conduct ... perfect example, when I tried to console her
(Laura) she pushed me away.
This decision can only benefit us.
Then Lena Åkesson
tapped my cousin on the shoulder to send me a message ... "tell your cousin (me)
she lost this fight just like she lost our fight".
LENA, whats up with that?
Lena, I think you are taking this way too personal. But don't worry I'll give
you and Laura the rematch with no problem.
... trust me for my fans ... you will get to see the rematch and you will see Lena and
Laura get a taste of Honey ... from the mouth of Honeygirl
