#1 TIP

Get Photographs taken!  Many times the boxers fight and fail to get any photographs of their fights.  For one, it will be something you will want later in life after you have stopped boxing.  But, it is also important to have photos on file, for news articles, and for promo purposes.  If you see photographers at the weigh-ins, and press conferences, ask them if they are going to ringside and are they shooting your fight.  Get their names and contacts so that you can either purchase your photos from them or get a copy of them from the photographer.  Many photographers are glad to send you photos of you to your own fight. 

#2 TIP

Videos:   Tape some of your workouts, tape your fights,
if it is allowable with the promoter or venue to do so. Again, you can use those videos to make interesting video streaming on your own website or other boxing websites that allow the video footage.  This can be invaluable when promoter and matchmakers are looking for information on you.  It showcases your talent and abilities.    Many of your fights may now end up on YouTube.  There are many software programs on the net (some of them are free), that will allow you to capture those videos off of the sites.  Again, it is not only for promotional purposes for you as a fighter to have video of yourself, but you may not realize how important it is to you and your family after you retire from the sport.

#3 TIP

Promote yourself.  Do not rely only on your manager or promoter.  Find out which boxing events are going on in your area, and attend Press conferences, weigh-ins, and the event itself.  AND when you are at the event, talk with the promoters and boxing folks.  Make your presence known.  It takes perseverance and hard work to continue to get your name out there.  I cannot tell you how many high-profile boxing events I have attended from the press conferences to weigh-ins to the fight night itself, and not see more than one or two female boxer on the scene.  What a wonderful opportunity to get yourself known to the boxing world.

#4 TIP

Develop a solid Press Package (PR Kit):  Include in your promotional kit,  a CD with some clips of your fights, photos. Have xerox copies of news articles, posters, etc. With a solid biography, your current record, how to contact you or your manager/promoter, and any other interesting tidbits about your fighting background.  Now that we have Facebook, and YouTube, free blog websites,  you can utilize that worldwide coverage to reach out to others.

#5 TIP

Be Available for Interviews:   The media is not going to chase you around trying to get an interview.  Make yourself available, and when an interview is offered----Follow-up on it.  When you do participate in an Interview---TALK!   Nothing is more boring to boxing fans than to read an interview with basic   “Yes” and “No” answers.  This is YOUR time to talk about what you are doing--- give details and talk about anything of interest that you are doing in the sport or outside of the sport.

#6 TIP

Fight in your own weight class or NOT more than one class under or over: We realize it is difficult to get on cards in your exact weight class.  With the pool of women boxers that we have that will actually fight others and not worry about their boxing record, they may on occasion need to go up a weight class or down a weight class.  If you begin to jump more than that which preferably you need to stay in weight class the fight ends up at times as a weight against weight fight.

#7 TIP

Be Smart!  Beware of ANYONE who tries to talk you up about how great you are, especially when you have not been in the sport very long or have not had exposure in the amateurs, etc.….Take your time in the sport. Learn your skills, and have a large arsenal of tools when getting into competing----whether you are fighting in the amateurs or the pros.  Even in today's sport, we get emails from trainers in gyms telling us how hard a female punches and that they want to get them into the pros.  These are women who have not even fought in the amateurs.  This may have worked in the 1970's, 1980's-----but in 2011, no way.

#8 TIP

Boxing Attire and GROOMING!  Again many of the women boxers do not make enough income to afford the costly robes, custom-made boxing trunks and tops….so in that situation, you will need to pull in your resources.  Get relatives, friends,  to give any ideas or use their talents to help get your attire up to par.  When you actually fight, this is YOUR time to shine, so do it!   I remember on one occasion long ago,  on a significant female bout, one of the fighters walked into the ring with a wrinkled up boxing robe. 

When you are at press conferences and weigh-ins ---dress up!  Leave the torn-up dirty jeans at home and dress appropriately to be in the public. 

#9 TIP

Get an Official Boxing Website on the Net! There are many websites on the net that include Yahoo, AOL, that offer their customers free websites. Take advantage of these free services. Have a way to contact you, or your manager on the site. Have lots of photos of your fights, and of you, and offer a friendly environment for boxing fans to get to know you by having a bio, with your record, and some personal touches that you can add to the site to show your own unique personality.  Link everyone that is boxing related---that is just another great way to spread the word about female boxers, the sport and network in the boxing community.

#10 TIP

NETWORK, Network, and do not stop Networking with other boxers!  You will learn more about the sport, more about each other, and make this tough road of women’s boxing a smoother and more enjoyable experience in the sport.