(DEC 14) When Kasha Chamblin arrived in Rancho Mirage, California, for her fight with Kaliesha West she was prepared. She had worked with one of women boxings' 'best, Dierdre Gogarty and felt her skills and preparation were solid.

St. John (left), Gogarty (center), Chamblin (right)

Upon arrival and during a medical check Chamblin was advised that she did not pass the eye screening.

Chamblin, requesting to see a specialist to be sure, and paying for it out of her own pocket, she saw a eye specialist. According to Kasha, she was advised that she would need surgery to correct the diagnosed problem.

Asking if she could fight,  the specialist agreed to sign off if she assured him she would have the surgery following the fight, which she agreed to do. Kasha had no idea that she was about to receive a blow more devastating than any punch that West could throw at her.

After the weigh in on Friday, December 11th, while returning to the hotel Kasha received news that a dear friend had passed away. It was obvious this tragedy was a heavy blow to both Dierdre and Kasha. However, they both pulled it together and decided that they would dedicate this fight to the friend they had lost. They had no idea that fight night would deliver a knockout punch that would halt this fight altogether.

In the dressing room while preparing for the fight, the fight doctor examined Kasha's eyes for the final time before the fight. At that time, the doctor advised Chamblin that the fight could result in permanent damage, and it was possible that she would lose the sight in her left eye. He was emphatic in his recommendation that she not fight, that the risk was too great. Devastated by this series of events, and weighing the risk with her team, Chamblin withdrew from the fight.

Chamblin came to this event with all of the hunger and passion necessary to fight West and leave with a victory. However, no fighter should ever risk an injury that is so damaging that there may not be a recovery. Especially when all parties have been informed that the risk is indeed likely to result in that type of damage. There was simply no other decision in this case that would have been in the best interest of the fighter. I applaud Kasha for being wise enough to act in her own best interest, her team for supporting her and the promoter for accepting it graciously and moving on. Kasha intends to have the surgery as soon as possible to correct this problem. I admit that I was disappointed that I did not get to see these two young warriors in battle. But I am happy to know that this fighter is as smart as she is tough. She made the right choice.