(MAY 22) This week WBAN received
an opportunity to talk with Kaliesha "Wild Wild" West, as
we anticipate seeing West be inducted into the International
Women's Boxing Hall of Fame two-day event that takes place on
October 6-7, 2023, at the Orleans Hotel & Casino, in Las Vegas,
Nevada.
West, a retired Multi-world champion who fought professionally
from 2006 to 2017---before turning pro, she was one of the best
amateurs in California, winning numerous tournaments and honors
that included the 2002-2003 Junior Olympic championships;
the 2003-2004 Silver Gloves; and the 2002 125-lb National Golden
Gloves championship for ages 13-14. West had over 100
amateur fights before turning pro.
Sue TL Fox: What was your first exposure in boxing before deciding that
you wanted to get into the sport? At what age did you begin
training in boxing?
Kaliesha West: I was about 5-6 years old when I was first introduced to boxing. My dad was boxing a professional fight and I remember sitting
with my mom in the stands yelling, "C'mon Juan!" I wasn't saying
"dad" because I was copying my mom and I wanted him to hear me.
He won and it's recorded, you can hear my little voice yelling
at him "go! go! go!" although I didn't begin boxing until age
10.
Sue TL Fox: Were you supported by your family when you decided that you
wanted to box?
Kaliesha West: My dad was hesitant initially, and my mom didn't support
anything I did back then. She just had no interest. It took a
few years until my dad was all in. I just kept boxing. I never
had family show up to my amateur fights. The boxing team was my
family. I remember my dad telling my mom how important a
tournament was but for one reason or another she couldn't make
it. I also had two little sisters born when I was 11 years
old----so I do
believe it was harder for her to attend with a newborn and
toddler. It wasn't until I turned professional when family began
to come around. My uncle was my cutman, and my mom attended most
of my pro fights. When I kept winning, more family came around. But being born in Michigan, my grandparents/aunts/cousins were
on the east coast. So all really I had was one uncle and my
immediate family growing up.
Photo credit: Jesus Sanchez
Sue TL Fox: You were very successful as an amateur boxer with winning
many championships---what made you decide to turn pro at the
young age of 18 years old?
Kaliesha West: At age 17, I had many fights, and rounds of experience as an
amateur. I felt I received everything there was to offer me. I
was also never the fan favorite in the amateurs. You always have
the "golden girl" or "golden boy" and politics played a huge
role when it mattered fighting on national levels. Politics were
so bad that when we planned to go to the Olympics, we knew that
we would need a convincing win/knockout to move forward at all.
After it was announced that women would not be allowed to
compete in the 2008 Olympic games, I turned professional two
months after my 18th birthday. Some women had time to play in
the amateurs, I didn't. I had already been there for eight years,
and did not want to commit another six years for a "pinky
promise." When we were told that even the 2012 Olympic games
were still being "entertained" it was a no brainer; go pro...
Sue TL Fox: At the time you were in the amateurs, did you have a dream of
hoping female boxers would be included in the Olympics, and that
you would go that direction?
Kaliesha West: The Olympics were never a dream of mine. PPV and HBO
Championship bouts were. I hated headgear and the points system. For boxing, it's different. You have all these rules that
protect fighters. I hated all the pampering, I wanted blood. My
dream was always to be a televised champion as a pro.
Sue TL Fox: You had 20 professional fights by 2012 when for the first
time in the history of the sport, female boxers were finally
given the opportunity to compete in the Olympics----what were
your thoughts or feelings about it when it finally happened?
Kaliesha West: At that time, I had already been
a Professional World Champion for two years. I felt it was a
blessing that I turned pro because they didn't open my weight
class for the Olympics. I was my best self at bantamweight, and
they had only allowed flyweight, lightweight, and middleweight.
I remember talking to Seniesa Estrada and having a heart to
heart with her trying to convince her to go to the Olympics. I
kept telling her how awful it was as a female pro and comparing
the endorsements behind Marlen Estrada and what her potential
was. I loved what was happening to the women who were in the
Olympics---it was huge.
Sue TL Fox: It is amazing that you fought professionally from 2006 to
2017, having 22 pro bouts, winning two world titles. By 2017
were you feeling like it was time to retire, because you were
still fairly young? What were your thoughts or reasons to retire
from fighting professionally?
Kaliesha West: Retirement was definitely not something I had anticipated in
2017. As a matter of fact, I remember not even announcing my
retirement until 2018 on instagram three months before my first son
was born. Walking away from something that's been a part of more
than half of your life is just as much of an emotional
rollercoaster as going through a divorce.
It was something I did
not want at all, but it was what was best for me health wise. It
was 20 years of my life, and a job well done. Now, being a
healthcare professional and pursuing education as a Registered
Nurse, unfortunately the physical damage that comes with the
sport takes a toll on you eventually, and I enjoy being present
with my boys more. Motherhood shifted my priorities and gave me
a new meaning to life. It made the process of retirement easier
and was what was best under my personal health circumstances.
Sue TL Fox: After leaving the ring in 2017, where did you go from there?
Did you continue to workout, train others, do other things
“Outside the ring” related to boxing?
Kaliesha West: When I retired, I was bitter. I admit to being disappointed with
regard to the opportunities that were available as a female
boxing champion. Especially because I was forced to retire, and
I often felt like; even after 20 years of dedicating my life to
something, I felt I never received the opportunity I deserved. I
did entertain how I could keep the sport that made me who I am
relevant to my life. Trying to find your place in boxing as a
woman is tough.
I also needed to factor in the time I give
because I was now a mom. I then realized that I needed to work
on who I am outside of boxing first. I wanted to make a
different kinda' impact in the sport and the approach that I am
passionate about is speaking engagements.
I often reminisce
about the many experiences I have had in boxing/life, and know
that sharing these stories can give others that
push/motivation/insight that I wish I had during hard times.
Once I finish my BSN, boys will be in school and I will have
extra time for myself.
Eventually I'd like to host expos for
people wanting to learn self-defense through boxing. I'd also
like to speak about things I am passionate about such as
anti-bullying, women's rights, or child abuse. I have so many
goals, they are what keeps me alive. Boxing will always pave the
way to fulfill those dreams--- just in a different way. My
personal testimonies from the sport can change lives/impact
others in a positive way.
Sue TL Fox: What did you feel were some of your favorite highlights in
the sport? And with that said, what were low points you had
while fighting as a professional?
Kaliesha West: I'll start with the lows so I can finish on a good note (lol).
Some of my lowest points; well there were many unfortunately.
But the most vivid one was after I won the WBO world title at
the Staples Center on the Golden Boy undercard. I had made
history being the first female to win a world title with Golden
Boy Promotions; first female from the Inland Empire region in
Southern California; and first female to win a world title at the
Staples Center. But I was rushed on and off the podium at the
post press conference! I received three claps from afar. I remember
like it was yesterday. I felt irrelevant and I had just become a
World Champion. I felt empty like I had done something wrong. I
was reminded that the road would be harder from here, and not
just the competition but the opportunities. I was exhausted,
embarrassed, and felt dead inside. Boxing was everything to me,
and winning the WBO was the highest achievement possible. You
can only imagine how it felt being pushed around like you're
another number.
Now the good! Every bout outside the United States, I
LOVED. One of my favorite moments was when I was defending my
title in Colima, Mexico and our chauffeur asked me to bring
Justin Beiber to their Resort! I thought it was hilarious that
they assumed I was that huge in the US to have the ability to do
that! haahahaha.
Sue TL Fox: In today’s sport we are seeing some of the female boxers who
are finally getting better purses, and exposure in the sport.
Where do you see female boxing today?
Kaliesha West: Women's boxing today is in a place I had dreamed of back in my
days. I see women's boxing being given all the tools they need
to catapult their careers. Success isn't handed to you, but your
tools are. Women today have everything they need to build an
empire for themselves as a female boxer. With social media and
algorithms, boxing is the platform and everything else is what
they will make of it. Everything is different today in the
greatest of ways.
Sue TL Fox: What do you believe is the greatest challenge most female
boxers are facing today?
Kaliesha West: The greatest challenge women face is the mentorship outside of
boxing. I feel as though boxing limelight leaves just as fast as
it comes. I hope to see more female boxers branch off and do
something more with their platforms as champions outside of
boxing to increase their stock and opportunities. Jake Paul is a
prime example of what marketing can do for anyone. Kid makes
more money for a fight than most men who spent 15 years in the
gym. You gotta think outside the box though. Boxing alone won't
retire you, but the opportunities that come with each televised
bout received will; capitalize on it, every time! People can
hate on Laila Ali, but she did exactly what women should do with
the airtime they are receiving. She's a chef, dancer, and makes
a living outside of boxing for her family. Personally she's not
my favorite boxer/person because of some things she's said in
the past, but you can respect the grind.
Sue TL Fox: What would you tell other females who want to enter the
sport of boxing?
Kaliesha West: This will be the most empowering decision you will ever make.
You will not only learn to be an amazing boxer, but you will
learn life skills that you will take with you in all aspects of
life. I encourage you to box! Whether your end goal is a World
Champion, or to lose 25 lbs, you can NEVER go wrong getting in
the ring. Truly, I believe that bullies would not exist if
everyone was forced to box.... it will humble you.....
I also wanted to add that I will be launching my website by the
end of this summer: www.kalieshawest.com. There will be
information on how I can be booked for events, merchandise, and
autographed photos!
Kaliesha, I want to thank you for taking the time to talk
with WBAN, and all I can say, is what an inspiring career you
had in the amateurs and the pros. I see you as having
great success outside the ring---and I look so forward to
honoring you and celebrating your accomplishments as a boxer in
October, at the IWBHF Event!
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