(FEB 8) On March 28, 2026, Nicole Pasillas will be inducted into the Colorado Golden Gloves Hall of Fame.  Pasillas tells her story to WBAN about her background in the sport. She states the following:

My name is Nicole Pasillas. I'm a mother, community leader, educator, photographer, and advocate. My journey into boxing feels like a step into my true identity. Although I didn't become
a professional or win the Olympics, boxing was crucial in shaping the bold person I am today.

My love for boxing began early. Growing up in a Mexican family, boxing was a staple at family gatherings. It's part of our culture and holds pride for people like me. As a young girl, I asked my
dad if I could box. I hoped he'd be eager to take me to a gym, but boxing was male-dominated then. I never saw women fighting on the big screen.

My dad said, "Women can never box because their bodies are not strong enough." That hurt more than a real punch. I set boxing aside but kept the desire alive, often asking my dad if I could try. Eventually, he took me, my brother, and two cousins to a gym. That moment marked the beginning of a significant journey
in my life.

I was thrilled when the moment finally arrived. Walking through the gym, I could hear the bells ringing, ropes jumping, and bags swinging. That was the day I discovered my sport. The journey
wasn't easy. It took time for the coaches to see me as more than just a girl in the gym. Initially, I wasn't very good. I didn't even know I had asthma until I started boxing.

My footwork was all over the place, and I never moved my head. During my first real sparring session, I felt like it was a test to see if I would stick with the sport. I didn't perform well, but I didn't quit either; it was not what I had expected. I remember hearing, "Girls are not strong enough." Instead of backing down, I got mad—a good kind of mad. That's when I pushed myself to another level, always eager to grow and learn. I didn't care who was in the ring with me because my greatest opponent would always be myself if I allowed anyone to make me think otherwise.

I always knew I belonged in the ring. Being a southpaw gave me an edge, and my footwork, while initially fast, became some of the best once refined. My ambitions remained untarnished.

At the time, women's boxing was still gaining momentum. Opportunities like the women's Golden Gloves were limited, and competing in the Olympics was a distant dream—until it
wasn't.

My journey in the ring helped ignite interest among young girls and proved to male coaches that women are more than capable in the sport. It also turned my dad into one of the biggest supporters of women's boxing. As I pursued my higher education I was awarded various scholarships through boxing when I trained at the Denver Police Youth Brotherhood boxing gym under Stephen Blea. During college I was even able to train at the Olympic Training Center in
Marquette, Michigan, under Al Mitchell, it was a big step into gaining respect from other top athletes and coaches. In 2012 I was able to reach the quarterfinals of the USA Olympic Trials is a testament to my dedication and passion for boxing.

After experiencing health complications, I had to step down as an athlete. However, I used my skills and knowledge to become a coach in Spokane, WA. There, I had the privilege of coaching
under Chauncy Welliver. Seeing my first athlete raise his hand in victory was an indescribable feeling. This, combined with the confidence I gained from boxing, fueled my passion to continue
fighting for others outside the ring. I have worked as an advocate for immigrant families, an educator, and a parent leader, striving to create change for parents of children on the spectrum.

I fight for the underdog because I've always been one. I understand firsthand what it's like to have everything against you, but I also know how to dig deep and come out victorious. Boxing is not something you just kind of like; you either love it or hate it. Let's face it, no one really enjoys being hit in the face or spending countless hours training, sacrificing time with friends and loved ones. But fighters do it because of the transformation it brings. I was a good boxer, but now I'm an even stronger and wiser person in my roles today—as a mother, a leader, and a human being who desires good for the world, and I credit my time to being in the gym with the coaches
I had in my corner, the teammates I worked with and every time I stepped in that ring.

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