(AUG 14) Avid boxing fan
Esther Reed wants to know if women play a significant role in
Arizona boxing; excluding fans and ring girls? Yes; but, boxing
remains a difficult and elusive industry for women to enter and
succeed. In recent years a number of determined and creative
women have made inroads into the male dominated sport by
creating a service for promoters who don't have the skill or
time to invest in the public relation or advertising end of the
game. According to the Arizona State Boxing Commission there is
only one female licensed promoter (Alma Canez) and one female
head (Kelly Fenn) of any registered boxing organization in
Arizona. The state does have one working female ring official
(USA Boxing) but she prefers her name to remain anonymous.
Photo: Courtesy Team Elena Reid
It was almost decade ago when
Elena "Baby
Doll" Reid and
Sunshine "The Chick who KO'd the Guy"
Fettkether
began to prove
that they had every right to fight professionally and both women
went on to win championships. Elena now resides and trains in
Las Vegas and hopes to boost her MMA record to 4-0 when she
fights on October 24.
Sunshine Fettkether KO'd Guy - photo: Mike Rynearson
Sunshine remains in Arizona where she
trains boxers and kick boxers. Both women deserve to be inducted
into Arizona's Boxing Hall of Fame for their pugilistic
achievements and courageous roles as boxing pioneers.
Unfortunately, It will take motivated and fair minded men to
nominate and elect them into the hall.
The following list of "Special" women was collected with the
help of the boxing community. Apologies to any woman who
deserved acknowledgement but was omitted.
Kelly Fenn: She is considered the first lady of Amateur boxing
in Arizona. Kelly is the daughter of Al Fenn and it was her
father who taught her the value of boxing as a tool to keep boys
and girls out of courts. After his discharge from World War 2,
Mr. Fenn (decorated Marine) opened the Phoenix Boys and Girls
Center and Kelly has kept the facility open, free of charge, for
kids to stay in shape and workout some of their teenage
frustrations. The Alumni includes boxers Jesus Gonzales, Rafael
Valenzuela, George Garcia Jr. and hundreds of men and women who
found success in other careers. In addition to overseeing the
Center, Ms. Fenn is the Arizona Golden Gloves CEO and she serves
as Director of the annual Copper Gloves Tournament held in
October at the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix. Kelly plans to
continue her current role in amateur boxing despite a recent
"Coup" attempt which was quelled quickly'; leaving egg on the
face of at least 2 conspirators .
Sulem Urbina Soto: Winner of two Mexican National Titles
(2009-2010) Sulem is a dedicated boxing warrior who has her
sights set on representing Mexico the 2016 Olympics. She is an
American resident but her opportunity for American Citizenship
wont come until after her attempt to become an Olympian. At 22,
112 pound Sulem is quickly becoming Arizona's most recognizable
and popular female boxer. On July 10-14, Sulem competed in and
won the 11th Annual Desert Showdown World Amateur Championship
Tournament at the Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio California. A
week later she was scheduled to compete in Albuquerque, New
Mexico. Mrs. Soto is trained by her husband and ardent
supporter, Andrew Soto at their family downed "Knockout" Gym in
Phoenix. Sulem can be contacted through her Face Book page
online.
Michelle Rosado: Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , Ms. Rosado
moved to Arizona a few years ago and she has quickly established
herself as a power broker in Arizona Boxing. Rosado is CEO of
Face 2 Face Events, a marketing firm and the point person for
the Sonoran Capital Group, a boxing promotion company. At 32,
she appears to be at the top of her game and her celebrated
marketing skills serve her well. Michelle has graced numerous
local magazine covers and been featured on multiple radio and
television broadcasts. Despite her commanding presence boxing
insiders give her a mixed report card. Her grades range from A's
for her intelligence, imagination and energy;however, she
received much lower marks from some of her peers for loyalty and
truthfulness. It is the latter perceived character flaw that has
some boxing insiders (gym owners and trainers) stepping back and
looking at her with both eyes wide open. On the other hand,
journalists and members of the media tend to like her because
she can be colorful and controversial and those attributes
create public interest and sell tickets. She also loves and
follows boxing.
Emily Pandelakis: A busy mother of two and self described boxing
fan who now commands respect as a publicist. Her clients include
professional boxers Lateef Kayode, "Sugar Ray" Beltran, Jose
Benavidez Jr., Andrew "Hurricane" Hernandez, Jamie Kavanaugh,
Michael Medina, Tony Moreno, Wale "Lucky Boy" Omotoso, Gabino
Saenz, Jovan Young-Star and to promising amateurs...David
Benavidez and Alexis Zazueta. I(n addition to writing and
releasing press releases, Emily is working on the release of a
2013 calendar that will feature Arizona Gyms and boxers. The
price is tentatively set at $15.00 and proceeds will benefit
gyms and amateur boxing. Emily is very giving to the community
and she asks her clients to follow her example.
Renene Leinhauser: Renene is 1/2 owner of Iron Gloves Boxing
located in Tempe Arizona ..Renene and her husband Joe "fight
Train" members age 14 and up.
She has been in the business for almost 20 years and recalls how
difficult it was start a boxing gym in Arizona."We were new to
Arizona and it was quite awhile before we were accepted". She
said seemed harder for women and recalls only 1 female who
solely owned and managed a boxing gym in the Phoenix area. She
gave closed her gym 3-4 years ago. Until recently, Iron Glove
Gym was the training home for highly touted amateur Mario
Esparza. Mario was on the verge of signing a letter of intent
with the soon to be 18 year old pro prospect ; but, he left the
gym and is currently training with Rob Garcia....Garcia also
trains 19 year old Luis Oliveras another potential pro prospect.
Both young fighters fell short of qualifying for the 2012 USA
Olympic team.
The most intriguing question of the week comes from Jose Guerra
who wants to know whatever happened to Arizona Boxing Talk Show
Host Dale Hausner? Dale now sits on death row in Florence,
Arizona awaiting execution. He has written a letter to the
Supreme Court asking that his appeal process be waived so his
life in prison can be ended. Hausner (39) was sentenced to death
six times in 2009 for his role in terrorizing and killing
innocent Phoenix residents. For people who would like to write
Dale; send your letters to: Dale Hausner ADC # 240702..Arizona
State Prison Complex E4uau Browning 3H-53 P.O. Box 3400
Florence, AZ 85132. No guarantee that Dale will respond.
The last question comes from Jesus Fuentes who wants to know why
Jesus "El Martillo" Gonzales didn't fight Elvin Ayala on July
21. Simple explanation: Gonzales was placed on indefinite
suspension as a result of his knockout loss to Adonis Stevenson
in February of this year in Montreal Quebec Canada. For him to
fight again. he had to show proof (Clean MRI) that he is healthy
enough to resume his career. The Montreal Boxing commission
lifted Gonzales suspension on July 20; just hours before the
fight. The "OK" MRI was completed weeks before but Montreal
didn't respond on time. Ayala won (TKO) against John Mackey at
Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut. Gonzales has reportedly
issued a challenge to Ayala....UNTIL NEXT TIME!
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