(OCT 25) On October 23, 2012,
I made a [negative] comment about an online
Article published
on the Guardian.co.uk website, where they wrote about a female
who was going to fight in an amateur competition bout after training
for only 60 days.
I had said the following
preceding to posting the external link: "Again, when can this sport get to the point when we
see women who have trained a significant amount of time before
competing, amateur or pro?"
After posting this comment, WBAN received an "open
response" from multi-world champion Melissa McMorrow. McMorrow
said the following:
"I think it is unacceptable to fight as a pro with minimal
training, because I think all professional sports should be for
top competitors (which is why they are paid). But I have to say
I very much disagree with any problem of people fighting an
amateur fight with only 60 days of training.
Amateur sports are for learning. I firmly believe that people
should be able to train and compete in any capacity they want
to. The only way we can grow this sport is if we include people
that have in interest in trying. The best way we can include
people is by making it accessible. I grew up playing soccer and
I would have dropped out if someone told me that I had to
practice for a year before I could play in any games. I am using
the analogy of women's soccer because I know it well and it is a
sport that has exploded over the last 20 years. There are many
types of teams- competitive teams, recreational teams, and
somewhere in the middle that are accessible for all ages. It
encourages people, regardless of skill level, to compete because
it is a good workout, gratifying, and fun.
Not everyone wants to compete to become a world champion, some
want to just stay in shape while other want to test their
limits. For those that do excel and want to make a world title
their goal, they have the foundation to do that and can take
more competitive fights and participate in tournaments. In my
opinion, it is all great. The more people who are involved means
the more talent there is to draw from and the more people that
will support women's boxing because they relate to it. Melissa"
I would like to thank Melissa for taking the time to
give feedback on this issue. With that said, I will
have to "agree to disagree" with Melissa on this topic.
Whether the person is male or female and only trains for
60 days before competing [new in the sport], in my opinion does not have sufficient time to
prepare to fight competitively.
I feel that if the male/female takes their time "to learn"
the sport "In the gym", and hone in on developing their
physical and mental conditioning, gaining solid experience with
sparring with different boxers, will have a
much better outcome, and positive experience in the sport when
they "do" decide to compete.
WBAN
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