Dan: How did you become interested in boxing?

Kathy: I attended a sports camp when I was 11 years old, and boxing was one of the sports offered. I boxed for about two years then picked it up again after I moved to Thunder Bay.

Dan: Do you have any kind of martial arts training, like Karate, kickboxing, etc?

Kathy: None whatsoever.

Dan: So you went straight into boxing?

Kathy: Yes! Straight into boxing.

Dan: You have an eighteen year old brother and a sixteen year old sister. Do either of them box?

Kathy: No.

Dan: Do they ever come to your bouts?

Kathy: They went to my one in Atlantic City, and that's about it…so far.

Dan: Do either of your parents worry about you boxing?

Kathy: No.

Dan: Your mother doesn't worry?

Kathy: No. My grandmother did more than my mother. My grandmother was more of the "worry wart".

Dan: You have quite a distinguished career as an amateur. You were 25-6. That's quite a lot of bouts. You must really believe in the amateur programs … that that's the best way to enter the sport.

Kathy: Oh, definitely! I think that's the best way to gain the experience … it's through the amateurs … and now there's more women involved and so you're getting the competition and the opportunity to fight a lot of different people. It's definitely, the way to go!.

Dan: A lot of unqualified individuals, like winners of "tough women" contests, kick boxers, and other incompetents, are able to obtain a license as a "professional" just by purchasing a license.

Kathy: Yeah, I think it's fifty dollars.

Dan: So, would you be in favor of some requirement that a person have some amateur boxing experience before being issued a license to box professionally?

Kathy: I would be in favor of that definitely. I think some of the girls, like you say, get asked to box.… Some one says, "hey, You want to make some money?" And they say "sure!" but they don't know what to expect when they get in there. And most of the time these girls are outmatched and outclassed.

Whereas, if you've been in the amateurs, you know what to expect when you get in there. Plus the fact that not wearing a headgear, is a big thing. You know, I still get asked a lot, "do you wear a headgear" when you box. Most people just don't realize that as a pro, you don't wear a headgear.! I think a lot of girls that are getting into it are getting in there, not knowing that! That they are getting in there with pretty much no protection, and not knowing how to defend themselves. And, they are pretty much just getting hit and smacked around. So that I think that getting some amateur experience should be a definite criteria before becoming a professional.

Dan: Would you also like to see that requirement include people who have a martial arts or kick boxing experience, be required to spend a minimum amount of time in the amateurs… a minimum number of amateur fights, like five or ten, maybe?

Kathy: I think so. I definitely think so! I just don't see how it could hurt! What could it possibly hurt? I don't see why anybody wouldn't want to! It isn't gonna hurt you! If anything it's just going to help you!

Dan: If two women of roughly equal athletic ability began boxing at the same time, and one went into the amateurs, and the other purchased a license, and became an instant pro; after one year, they fought … would you agree the one who fought amateur would probably have an edge?

Kathy: I would think so. I definitely think so.

Dan: And their self confidence would be better also, not having been beat up as much.

Kathy: Yes! I would think so. And there's a lot out there now for the amateur. I can see in the past where there wasn't much out there. But, now, amateur is growing. You know, you are getting more of the international competition;, so, why not go amateur? You're getting trips to Europe; you're getting to fight other European females; and, if you think about it, the Europeans are getting more involved. And, the Americans are getting more involved. So, pretty soon, it will be an Olympic sport-or at least demonstration. So, if you jump straight into the pros; you are missing all of that!

Dan: What would you tell someone who wants to know "how can I get into boxing?" What would you tell them?

Kathy: I would tell them to contact a gym in their area, that offers boxing and talk to the coach and tell them what you want out of it. If you just want to do it for training, or if you want to compete ... and find out if there is amateur boxing in your area. Where you could begin your amateur stint for a year or so … and if you like it and are doing well as an amateur, then turn professional. You know, a lot of girls don't realize how much dedication is needed to become a good boxer. And, they just about the publicity, or the money, and that's why they are focusing on getting involved in the pros, and they aren't really doing just because they want to do it … and that's another reason why I think they ought to do the amateurs first…

Dan: How does boxing effect your social life, etc…

Kathy: (laughing) Yeah, I don't have much of a social life … between my career as a police officer, that pretty much takes up most of my time. Yeah … it's hard. I put a lot of time into my training, and so when I'm not boxing, I'm just home relaxing because I'm so busy doing things all of the time … but, you know, I figure it’s a small price to pay, to achieve what I want to achieve … I'm not gonna be boxing all of my life … I figure if I have to put my life on hold for a little while, I can do that … I don't mind it, except for the holidays … you know sometimes I don't get to take holidays, because I am busy training for a fight … But I enjoy it …

Dan: You work full time as a police officer. Is that a hindrance? If it were possible would you like to be able to spend full time on your boxing?

Kathy: I think if I could afford not to work full time, I would do that. (box full time) And focus full time on my boxing. But, I can't afford to do that right now … (voice trailing off) I think I make the most of it right now, because I do have to work full time … and my trainer understands that. But, that does make hard because I have to train at ten o'clock at night sometimes … I kind of have to fit in my training when I can.

Dan: So, you have to work it around your job?

Kathy: Yeah, pretty much! And it makes for a pretty hectic lifestyle, doing this all the time, and once in while you get burnt out, and you can get sick more often. I feel if I could even work part time, I believe it would be more beneficial for myself.

Dan: Do you think your skills would improve more quickly if you could simply train full Time?

Kathy: Yes, maybe. I guess you could say I would pick up things more quickly if I were not tired.

Dan: Do you know off hand if many of your colleagues, other than perhaps Mia St. John, and Christy Martin, have the luxury of being able to devote full time to boxing?

Kathy: None, other than Regina Halmich. I know she doesn't have to work, and is able to devote full time to boxing.

Dan: I'd like to get your opinion on some current issues in Women's boxing.

Kathy: Sure!

Dan: What about two minute rounds vs three minute rounds?

Kathy: I personally like the two minute rounds. I personally have never fought the three minute rounds, so I don't know what it would be like. But, I train with the three minute rounds. I personally like to train the three minute rounds, because when I get used to the three minute rounds, when I fight the two minute rounds, it seems to go by very quickly. There's more action in a two minute round. Even in the amateurs, now, the men go two minute rounds.

Dan: Recently a couple of fighters have fought male opponents, for publicity, money, or whatever … what do you think about that?

Kathy: If they want to do it; go for it. I don't think it's going to help women's boxing … I don't think it's going to help … well, I can't say … well, I personally didn't think it would help their career, but I guess for Margaret (McGregor it did, because it got her a sponsorship with "TKO" uh, but … how do you know … I think for myself I would say…well, was this guy really a top person for her to be fighting? For him you think of it like this, he takes a fight with her and he loses it … so what? He really wasn't big into boxing anyway … it's not really going to hurt his career, he's just going to get more publicity out of it, getting on all these talk shows … so for him, it didn't really hurt. So, did he really give her 100%? From what I've been told by people who saw the fight, they say no, he didn't! Um, so, I don't think it's something we should be doing. We're trying to show people that we're really good in the sport and that we can handle the sport ourselves, so why do we need to go and fight a man? We're trying to develop the sport of WOMEN's boxing-not mixed boxing! We're supposed to be fighting other women!

Dan: Yeah … I think I agree with you, if just for safety concerns….

Kathy: Yeah! There's no way that a guy her own weight could not have hurt her.

Dan: With the same amount of experience.

Kathy: Yeah! There's no way. I mean I KNOW that. Because I spar with the guys in my gym. The guys that are my weight and heavier … if they wanted to hurt me, they could. I mean sometimes they will hit me with a shot … not meaning to … and you feel it! So, I don't agree with the fact that you fight a guy your same weight, you're gonna beat him. No! If he's smaller than you; maybe yes … but with the same size? Same weight? Same experience? There's no way!

Dan: So…Lucia Rijker is playing with fire.

Kathy: Oh … yeah…I think so ... if she fights somebody her weight I definitely think so. And I don't know why she would want to do it anyway. She had a good career as a female boxer, so why? It's like you're making a spectacle of yourself.

Dan: Now … I want to ask this … uh, not just after mentioning Lucia, but anybody … What about steroid use among women boxers. Is steroid use a problem in the sport? Do you think there should be tests?

Kathy: Yeah. I see that was a big discussion on one of the forums…ha! ha! …Um, I don't think it's a problem. If you think there probably are some girls … and if they take performance enhancing drugs, then, yes , you should be tested for them. I know the girls I have fought, I don't think any of them have been taking steroids. But, I know if you look at some of the girls, just from appearance wise, you would guess that they ARE taking something, and if they say they are not taking them… and people say they are … then, why NOT get tested? Like … you know? What's the big deal to get tested if you know you have nothing to hide? So, I don't know what there's a problem … get tested for it ... unless you have something to hide! You should not be worried about it.

Dan: Should it be before the fight; or after the fight?

Kathy: Either, because I know it will stay in your system long enough … but if you do it after the fight, the problem is if you find out after the fight … I mean you could have already caused damage. In the amateurs when we get tested it's after the fight. But, after I read in one of the forums how a promoter (Vince Caruso) who had the show for titles, said that he had all the fighters get tested right after? And ... when I fought for him, in August … whether or not he considered that a real title or not, WE didn't get tested!

Dan: That was the Sturgis card in August?

Kathy: Yeah.

Dan: So, you and Brenda (Burnside) were not tested?

Kathy: No.

Dan: ok…

Kathy: I mean now, he might not consider it a title fight, even though he promoted it as a title fight … we were supposed to get a belt; and, I haven't even received my belt from him (laughing)

Dan: Really? That's lame.

Kathy: Oh, Yeah!

Dan: And neither you or Brenda were tested? Either before, or after, that fight?

Kathy: No. Not at all.

Kathy: He had the North Dakota commission to work the fight; not the South Dakota commission, but they didn't have a commission in South Dakota … so he brought in the North Dakota commission.

Dan: There is something I always wanted to ask you.

Kathy: Sure!

Dan: Where did you get the nickname, "The Shadow"?

Kathy: Uh … actually, I don't use that one anymore …

Dan: No?

Kathy: No. That one came form Tom Eaton … he was managing me … he, uh, when I first turned professional. He came up with that one because he thought I would be like the black shadow, no one would know anything about me. Because, I was like all of a sudden, gonna be like the black shadow. So, that's where he got the name "shadow". But, when he left the picture, I decided to get rid of that name. So, now, I have a name: "Shake em Down"! It was brought up, actually, by the announcer in Texas when I fought there. And my coach really liked it. (laughing) So, we kind of stuck with it.

Dan: Kathy "Shake Em Down" Williams!

Kathy: Yeah … (laughing) My coach wanted something because of me being a police officer ... so, when he said "Shake em Down"…Tony Loved it!

Dan: You know, I'm sure some fan would like to know has your boxing ever helped you out as a police officer?

Kathy: No, it hasn't actually, to tell you the truth. But a lot of people in Thunder Bay know who I am … as a female police officer and a boxer … so I think even though I haven't had to use it, just the people being aware of who I am, helps me. And, the fact I don't have to use it.

Dan: So they are less apt to give you trouble?

Kathy: Exactly! And, I guess, more respect out of some people. Because, being a female, of course, some guys aren't going to respect female police officers. Old fashioned I guess you could say. I find I get a little more respect from them, because of the fact that I am a female police officer and a professional boxer.

Dan: Let's get into your pro career a little bit. I'll just mention each fight, and if there's any comment you would like to make, go ahead.

Kathy: Sure!

Dan: Your first fight was Jamie Blair. You remember at fight? It was your first pro fight, although you certainly were no stranger to the ring with thirty one amateur fights. But, were you nervous at all?

Kathy: Yep! I was. Without the head gear for the first time. That was the big thing for me. How would I feel without a head gear? I found I liked it more, fighting without a head gear.. The head gears always move around on me, and they block my vision, so I liked not wearing the head gear. The fight itself, with her … many people had told me it would be no contest with me … that she would be an easy fight. If you looked at her … (laughing) ... you wouldn't get that impression out of her; because she really had a mean looking face … so I just went in there deciding I would just see how the fight went. Then, after about the first ten or fifteen seconds I knew how the fight would go.

Dan: You were throwing the straighter punches, and she was looping hers?

Kathy: Looping … and just as soon as you would hit her she would … turn, and she didn't want any more of it pretty much.

Dan: But, at first blush, she looked tough?

Kathy: Oh yeah, she had a mean look, a gold tooth…the whole persona, was very intimidating. And, I thought, maybe all these people don't know what they were talking about … but they did..

Dan: So, you trust your trainer and manager to match you up appropriately?

Kathy: Yeah, of course. Now, for your very first fight, you know they are probably going to get you somebody that you should be able to beat. But, having a lot of amateur experience they didn't want to just get me a walkover fight. But the promoter, not wanting to pay a lot of money … that was just somebody they were able to get.

Dan: I want to back track, just for a moment, to follow up on this Trust issue with managers and trainers. What advice, what would you tell a young woman who wants to be a fighter, how to choose a coach or a trainer?

Kathy: My trainer, who is also my manager, he trained when I was an amateur … so I have been with him my whole career … and he um, I can be honest with him, and tell him what I think … and he can be that way with me … that he has my best interests at heart ... matching me up. When, I did have Tom Eaton, as my manager, there was always conflict between me and him. Because, he didn't like the fact that I voiced my opinion, I was honest. And, that caused some tension … and , I got to the point where I told my trainer, Tony, I can't do this anymore! because he's going to drive me crazy! So, you have to pick somebody you feel comfortable with, that you trust. Someone that will be honest with you, because I know it's hard when you can't trust anybody in this business. But, with mine, I do trust him. So, now, I would say, I would keep the coach and manager I had as an amateur. Many times when you change, after turning professional, that's when you begin going downhill. And, I figure they are the ones who got you where you are at. So, why not keep them?

Dan: Your second bout was with Jayla Ortiz. That was on ESPN. What do you remember that was significant about that fight? Does anything come to mind?

Kathy: It was a good learning fight for me I found. Like, I had her hurt in several occasions and … uh, going from an amateur to a professional is a different style of boxing … mmm … amateur, you're more a technical defensive fighter. You go the head a lot because that's what scores your points. Being a professional, you have to fight inside, outside, upstairs, downstairs. And, I found that out fighting Jayla, because I had her hurt on several occasions but, didn't finish her … and I found from my amateur experience that I didn't have that aggressive, "want to finish her off" attitude. And, I found that out fighting Jayla. And, because she was a very smart fighter, whenever I did get her hurt, she knew how to hold on to me, so I couldn't hurt her more. So she could recover…

Dan: Your third fight was…

Kathy: Yvonne!!! (finishing the sentence)

Dan: Yes, a big step forward. How did you feel before that one?

Kathy: I guess I may always say that's my best fight! Personally, like achievement wise. That's the fight that I'm always gonna remember right now. We were offered the fight pretty much as an "opponent". Me and Tony felt though, that it was only my third professional fight, and even if we lost … if I made a good showing, that it would still help my career. So, we decided we would take it. I had seen tapes of her in the past, and then kind of thought that if I trained properly, I would have a good chance of beating her. So, we took the fight. And, then, I was really focused. And, once I got in there, I did everything that Tony told me to do, and I tried to be more aggressive. And tried to finish her off. And, follow through with my punches and combinations, and all that stuff seemed to work, and I was really happy with the fight.

Dan: How many rounds was that fight? I believe you had her down once?

Kathy: It was six rounds, and I did drop her twice. I dropped her right at the end of the third. But, the referee didn't count that as a knockdown. But, she did go down before the bell. Then, I dropped her again In the fifth round.

Dan: No one has ever stopped Yvonne as a boxer. And Kim Messer is the only one to stop her in Kickboxing. But, you almost stopped her in boxing.

Kathy: Yeah! That's what someone told me. So, I consider that as a big achievement for me. So, I was very happy with it. But, I thought she didn't fight a very smart fight against me.

Dan: How so?

Kathy: She came out as an orthodox, against me, and I still don't understand why she did that. Like, she's a southpaw. And I had trained to fight a southpaw. And when she started the fight as a southpaw, I think that gave me more confidence, when she came out as an orthodox, because that's what I am used to … so that just gave me more confidence.

Dan: The only explanation for a southpaw switching, is because they are frustrated, which wasn't the case, because she started the fight that way. So, apparently she was simply hoping to confuse you.

Kathy: Maybe she was, I don't know. But the thing is, after the first couple of rounds when she saw it wasn't helping her, she still persisted. So, I personally don't think she fought a smart fight…I don't know what her trainer was telling her in the corner, but I don't think it was smart. Because she was fighting me as an orthodox-and it obviously wasn't working…and she remained as an orthodox for the entire fight.

Dan: Is Yvonne a heavy puncher?

Kathy: I don't think so.

Dan: Is there any thing you want to say about Broxton, Soto, or Donyale Williams?

Kathy: The only thing I have to say about Tawayna - she's tough. I was hitting her with hard punches. Both of my hands swelled up after the fight. I was hitting her with hard punches, and she would take a step back then start coming again. I give her credit, because she's not a boxer, and gas only one win, but she has a lot of heart and courage. She just kept coming. So, I give her that.

Dan: What about Donyale Williams of Ashtabula Ohio?

Kathy: Nah! There's nothing to say about that!

Dan: Ok. Suzanne Riccio-Major?

Kathy: Um, that was a tough fight, because we are both counter punchers.

Dan: Each of you were waiting on the other to make the first move?

Kathy: Yes, but she was more the aggressor in the fight. And I found the first couple of rounds, uh, the first couple of rounds, it took me a while to get going … because I expected her to be a counter puncher, and she came out the aggressor, so it took we a few rounds to figure out her style. But, once I figured it out; I felt comfortable. I got into my rhythm and then it wasn't a hard fight.

Dan: So, who was the most technically proficient fighter you have fought, to date?

Kathy: I would say, Yvonne and Suzanne. But, I would say Suzanne more. Yvonne was more of an aggressive fighter. A straight one-two puncher. She didn't throw many combinations, whereas, Suzanne did try to throw combinations.

Dan: So Yvonne is really more of a "Johnny one note" ... a brawler?

Kathy: I would say so. In that fight you could see it ... especially in that fight. Especially at the end of the fight when she knew she was losing. She was just was just walking in, trying to throw wild punches trying to catch me with something. Just coming in, straight forward, straight forward, and then all I would do was catch her and move. So, it was an easy fight for me.

Dan : Who hit you the hardest, of all your opponents?

Kathy: Who hit me the hardest? Uh, I would probably say Brenda. Because I do remember in my fight with her, she did hit me with one good punch ... and I felt it. The whole fight, though, she wasn't hitting me hard, but she did catch me with one really good punch. It was like Wow! I really felt that! But … that whole fight …

 Dan: Yeah! I saw that fight, and it was…uh, out of control…maybe I am overstating it?

Kathy: No, it really was. It was!. It was. There was no control in that fight. It was a very tough fight to be in. And to watch! It's funny, because my boyfriend was with me, and he was working my corner, and he was freaking out. He said he wanted to get in the ring and just punch her! (laughing) Just how dirty … it was … that was the second fight of mine that he had seen live. He usually sees all my fights on tape, and he just could not believe that fight…that the referee was letting that go! All that stuff. Yeah … it was a very hard fight to stay composed . And stay focused on what I had to do-and not get caught up in fighting the way she was fighting … which I didn't want to do! I didn't want to … because I was hoping the judges would see what she was doing. And the fact that I was being a fighter and she wasn't being a fighter. So, I was just trying to focus on what I knew how to do, and just stay being a fighter, a boxer, and not get caught up in the dirty stuff that she was doing.

Dan: Just exactly what was she doing?

Kathy: Well, in my eyes, and some people might not find it was dirty, but, I found like uh ... the holding of my head, the pulling my head down a lot, uh … that you don't usually let happen in a fight. Like, when infighting, the person is holding your head down, and still punching you … that happened several times. Then by me being a southpaw, and her an orthodox, several times I'm gonna throw a punch and I get my arm around her, the referee would say that I was holding her … whereas, she was catching my arm as I was throwing it, and keeping it there, to make it look like I was holding her … and I wasn't … so just a lot of little things like that that was happening…

 Dan: I noticed when your head was down, that several times it appeared that you were wrestled to the canvas … It was hard for me to tell from a tape just what happened, but I got the feeling you were only passively resisting ... what was all that about?

Kathy: Yeah! Well, a lot of times she was like … holding me, and trying to pull me down … and instead of trying to fight it; I just felt I was going to let her do it! At least that way, when I'm down, the referee has to stop the action (laughing) whereas, if I try to fight back, then, who knows what's gonna happen … so, a lot of times she would start pulling my head down, and so, I would just let her, and then she would just threw me down to the ground, and I even went through the ropes once.

Dan: Yeah, well, I was just wondering what all that was about…I noticed the ref gave you six or seven warnings, and Brenda, I think got about eight or nine? What was he warning you about? I guess he was warning you for holding, from what you previously said?

Kathy: Yeah! From the angle he was on … and he kept cautioning me for it ... and I kept looking at him, as if to say, I'm not doing anything! . But, it's hard for them to see when you have an orthodox and a southpaw fighter…

Dan: And what was he cautioning Brenda about?

Kathy: I'm not positive, but I think it was for holding my head down.

Dan: So … what did you learn from that fight? Do you think you are mentally tougher or more composed because of that experience?

Kathy: I think I'm ready for anything, and that I'm mentally tougher, because I wasn't letting it get to me … I wasn't losing my composure, not fighting her fight, staying in my game plan … I was just doing what I had to do … And I think it taught me a lot too, in that …that was my first ten round fight. You know, so how did I feel going ten rounds…So, I think it taught me that I need to be a little more prepared, um, a little more focused. Sand I think I was in that fight, but sometimes you need to be that one step more… 

Dan: Tell me about Jamilla Lawrence. You had two fights with her. You lost the first and beat her in the rematch. Is that correct?

Kathy: Yes.

Dan: Tell me about her as a fighter.

Kathy: She's a counter puncher too. She's a stay on the outside fighter. I noticed that when she fought me, as well as when she fought Eva Young, that she liked to throw that looping right hand to try and catch you … um … like I think for the amount of fights she's had…she's got a lot of technique and promise … but, I think she just needs a little more experience… 

Dan: Oh, I forgot to ask. , how do you feel about a rematch with Burnside? Considering how the last fight went…did that leave you with a sour taste, so to speak, as far as a rematch goes?

Kathy: Yes. Well, it's like I want to get my world title shot … and I don't see how that's gonna get me that…

Dan: So, you don't see a rematch with Brenda as a potential stepping stone?

Kathy: No, I don't. It's like fighting Jamilla a second time is something I Had to do, because I lost to her … so I had to avenge that loss. So that was somebody that I definitely did want to fight again. Any other fighter that I have already fought, is not something that I really want to do, because I don't find them stepping stones ... unless it's somebody that's ranked really high… you know, like that number one contender at that time or something.  And if beating them would get me my title shot. Otherwise, I don't really look forward to fighting anybody I have already fought.

Dan: Would you like to fight Daisy Lang?

Kathy: Oh, definitely!

Dan: Well, she's had two easy title defenses in a row, with Gisella Papp and then Sonia Pereira.

Kathy: Yeah ... her next one is supposed to be against one of the top people.

Dan: So, you think the WIBF will actually require her to fight a tough contender at last?

Kathy: I'm hoping (laughs) I won't say for sure…I'm hoping though…

Dan: I'm not optimistic, because of the way they pander to Halmich. But, you're definitely hoping for a match with Daisy Lang?

Kathy: Yes! I think I could beat her. And I started training when I was over there, and she didn't impress me too much. So, I think I could beat her.

Dan: Have you ever fought in Europe?

Kathy: As an amateur I did. I fought in Sweden. And, then I was in Germany, in September training.

Dan: How are you ranked with the WIBF?

Kathy: I think I am number two, because they don't have Margaret ranked, because she has a title…so, since Margaret has the intercontinental title, I believe I am ranked either one or two.

Dan: Well, if you are ranked number one or two; there aren't many stepping stones…but you need to stay busy.

Kathy: Yeah…(laughing) it's frustrating, bit I have stayed busy. I fought eight times last year, so I should have had my shot, I think.

Dan: What about fighting your fellow Canadian, Margaret Sidoroff?

Kathy: Um, I would fight her if the price is right. I guess a lot of people want this fight to happen, and my thinking is, if you want this fight to happen between two Canadians for a title, then you should be paying the money for it. That's my thinking. If it happens or if it never happens, I just wish her the best for her career, and me for my career - and, I know there are other fighters she also wants to fight. I'm not going to duck her, or her me - if it happens, it just happens. But, I'm not just going to sit and wait for it to happen. I have to keep myself busy.

Dan: Do you have any prospects for fights that you can share right now?

Kathy: Well, there's supposed to be a show, possibly in Windsor, I'm fighting on, in March, and uh, one possibly in January in Fargo, North Dakota.

Dan: What about Bridgett Riley? Have you ever thought about a fight with her?

Kathy: Oh, I'd fight her, yeah! We were offered a fight with her once, but they offered it a week before ... not even!

Dan: What?

Kathy: Yeah! It was when she ended up fighting Donyale Williams,

Dan: So you didn't have any time to prepare for her?

Kathy: No! And that was when I had first come back from Germany, and I hadn't been training for a little while, when I first came back…,,my coach had given me some time off … So … a one week last minute thing, is something we don't take.

Dan: That's wise. No one who is serious about their career is going to seriously consider an offer like that, and those making the offer know it. It just gives them cover, before they schedule a weaker opponent.

They can then say: " I tried fighters "X", "Y", and "Z" ; and, they all turned me down !" So, I was forced to fight this nobody." But, still some people are gullible enough to swallow it.

Kathy: Oh Definitely! If you're fighting a nobody, then yeah! But, if you're fighting somebody who's up their in the rankings, with good boxing skills, you need a reasonable time to get ready and prepare for them. One week is just not long enough. Yeah, my coach told them no immediately, but he just told me about it so I would know about it. Because, even though they may not have been preparing for me specifically, they were no doubt, preparing for a tough fight, whereas, I had been off for a while, and not training for a fight. And no, I don't think it's good for the person getting the last minute call to take the fight.

Dan: But, it would be an interesting contrast of styles, with you, an outside fighter, and her an infighter. Yvonne, unfortunately, made the mistake, as usual, of trying to slug it out with her.

Kathy: Yeah! I saw that fight. Yvonne didn't fight her well either.

Dan: Is there anyone else, you would like to fight other than Daisy Lang?

Kathy: No, I'm really not that picky, even Margaret.  I mean we were never actually offered that fight in writing. Oh, there's been talk, but nothing concrete in writing. You know, like this is how much, when, and where. We've never been given that kind of concrete proposal. 

Dan: So, you have never refused a fight with her?

Kathy: No, I never have. My coach would take that fight, if the money was right…. He would take a fight with pretty much anybody! My coach knows we can't be picky, if we want to get a title shot. We have to keep active and fight the best people out there.

Dan: Is there anything in closing you would like to say to the fans who visit WBAN? Anything you would like for them to know?

Kathy: I would just like to thank them for the support that they have given me. They have sent me a lot of e-mails, and that's really inspirational. There are some young women look up to me, and I really appreciate that, and, I hope they will continue writing me, and that if they want to get into boxing, be safe when they are in the ring, and try the amateur boxing first. Because, it would definitely be the best for their career in the long run.

Dan: Well , thank you very much for your time.

Kathy: Oh, thank you very much!