Melissa McMorrow– Boxer Blog – December 4 Fight Card
November 17, 2009
Q) Why / how did you start boxing?
I was brought to a fight party by some friends in Oakland and thought it would be a great idea to jump into the ring and give it a try. Being an athlete all my life, I always wondered how my athleticism compared to others’. Ironically, it turned out to be a great decision because I have been boxing ever since.
Q) What fighters did you look up to growing up?
I did not grow up with boxing. I grew up playing and watching soccer. I loved Pele and Dunga. Now that I spend so much time boxing, my favorite male fighters are Dwight Braxton and Sugar Ray Leonard. Mostly I strive to be a combination of the two (I know it’s a weird combo, but I think it would make an awesome fighter). My favorite females are Susi Kentikian and Lucia Rijker because they have paved the way for women’s boxing by having great skill, power, and class.
Q) What has been your most memorable fight?
My most memorable fight is when I won the NAIOP championship against Suszannah Warner because all the cards were stacked against me in that fight and I still came up winning it. I fought on a last minutre call having to drop almost ten pounds the day before the match. It was one week after a tough match I had scheduled, and Suszannah had much more pro experience than I had. It was really empowering to fight against all those odds and win.
Q) What do you want to accomplish in your boxing career?
A world title….of course! Is this really a question?!?
Q) What is your favorite aspect of fighting at the Tank?
The homeown crowd. I was raised in San Jose and have seen people from all walks of my life coming to matches. It is great getting support from all my friends, family, and fans.
Q) How do spend your time outside of the ring?
I work a full time job at SolarCity, a solar panel installation company crating permit submittals for residential photovoltaic systems. I believe in alternative energy and work to better the environment. I also like to draw, love comics, and like to play all sports- especially soccer. I also love live music.
Q) Do you have a message for your fans?
Definitely. No dream is too big. Reach for things you think sound ridiculous.
Q) What is one thing people don’t know about you?
I have a degree in architecture and hope to become a licensed architect in the future.
Q) Where are you right now in your training and how are you feeling physically and emotionally?
Right now I am training very hard. We are three weeks out and I am sparring, running, and hitting the bags like a madwoman! I like to do a lot of speed work around this time and then ease up as the fight gets closer. I have been working hard on my movement and am hoping it shows in this fight.
