| |
Shelly Vincent grew up in New London Connecticut, raised in a turbulent
environment marked by trauma. Her mother struggled to support them and was often
traveling to work and survive. During her childhood, she and her mother, Tania
experienced physical abuse and she overcame an abundance of adversity.
As a young girl, Shelly showed interest in boxing, karate, and other typically
male-dominated sports. She recalls begging her mother to let her participate in
these activities regardless of being “the only girl”. Finally, her mother
offered to take her to New York to find a place that would accept women and
found Whaling City Boxing in Waterford, Connecticut----that’s where her boxing
began.
In 2001, Shelly lost her mother to leukemia. On her deathbed she made Shelly
promise to never stop boxing because that was what was going to save her. Tania
was just 37 years old when she passed away.
Shelly learned to box by watching videos of Mike Tyson and Vinny Pazienza on
YouTube. She found solace and purpose in the world of boxing. It served as a
therapeutic outlet, allowing her to channel her emotions and find stability
amidst adversity.
Photo credit: Craig Eagleson
At first, when attempting to launch her boxing career, no one
took her seriously or wanted to train her. Then in 2012 eventually, Shelly began
to train with Peter Manfredo Sr. in Providence, Rhode Island. Soon after she
signed on with manager, Mike Criscio. Undeterred by continued scrutiny as a
female athlete in a male-dominated landscape, Shelly went on to achieve
remarkable success.
In 2011 at the age of 32, she won the National Golden Gloves 119-pound title and
earned accolades and other amateur titles awards for her fighting and
extraordinary fighting spirit. She went on to turn pro later that year when she
returned.
In 2016, Shelly fought Heather Hardy at Coney Island Amphitheater. This was the
first woman’s nationally televised fight since Christy Martin, Laila Ali and the
first on NBC on PBC in history. It was named Ring Magazine’s Female Fight of the
Year.
Photo credit: Craig Eagleson
The rematch in 2018 was held at Madison Square Garden in New
York City and aired on HBO. This fight was one of the two women’s bouts to ever
be showcased on a HBO broadcast and is a rarity in women’s boxing.
Photo credit: Craig Eagleson
She retired in 2021, with a 27-2 professional boxing record. A
three-time World Champion. She continues to coach and mentor, working with
adults and children from all backgrounds and situations. While competing and
also now after her career going to schools and programs of troubled youth and
ex-inmates telling her story and what she did and how she used boxing as an
outlet to save herself from depression, suicide, and substance abuse.
In 2023, she hosted an all-female amateur boxing tournament in her hometown at
Whaling City Boxing; where it all began. Having faced extreme struggle and
adversity as an amateur, she saw the tournament as another outlet for females to
showcase their skills.
She also hosts frequent club and LBC shows for the youth, elite, and masters.
She owns and operates Shelito’s Way Boxing out of Providence, Rhode Island.
In November 2023, she was the FIRST woman fighter to ever be
inducted into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame.
In 2016, she was the FIRST female fighter to ever win "Professional
fighter of the year" award at the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame.
In her entire career, Shelly fought for equality, women’s rights, equal pay, and
time featured on television. She is an incredible, inspiring woman who never
gives up despite numerous setbacks and traumas in her past.
|
|
