Melissa McMorrow – Preparing for May 7 Fight
May 1, 2009

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 two weeks out and I am sparring, running, and hitting the bags like a madwoman! I will probably continue to spar until early next week and then ease up a little bit and do more running and pad work instead of sparring and bag work.

Q) Where are you training?

Although born and raised in San Jose, I now train in San Mateo at the best gym ever- B Street Boxing. It is a new gym, so if people have never heard of it they should look it up at www.bstreetboxing.com or come in and check it out!

Q) What type of nutrition/diet do you follow when training for a fight?

I maintain a fairly vegan diet when training for a fight. I do eat fish or chicken occasionally but no dairy products. I always try to eat organic, but more for earth conscious reasons than for training reasons.

Q) How familiar are you with your opponent?

I have seen my opponent fight a while back when we both competed in the amateur nationals, but have never fought her because she fought one weight class above me. I know she has quick hands and good combinations.

Q) What do you think about the state of boxing in the Bay Area?

I think boxing in the Bay Area is in a state of decline and needs exciting and promising faces to bring pride to the area.

Q) What will be your strategy for earning a victory/knockout against this opponent?

My strategy is to press hard and to figure out her combinations early so I can effectively counterpunch…hard :)

Q) What are your strengths as a fighter?

Left Hook, Power, Endurance, Good chin, Good Body Punching, Busy Fighter.

Q) Do you think that the crowd will be behind you or your opponent?

Is this a real question? Of course the crowd will be behind me. I am a very exciting fighter to watch. I have a high work rate and a good combination of power and skill. Also, since I grew up in San Jose, there are people from every stage of my life- elementary school, my childhood soccer team, high school, college, and my current job coming to this match.

Q) What is your favorite aspect of fighting at the Tank?

My favorite aspect of fighting at the tank is the hometown crowd. It is great getting support from the entire community.

Q) What goes through your mind the last hours before a fight?

Winning. That is my #1 goal! I am a very mentally focused person. I don’t see any reason to focus on anything else. I sometimes run through some combinations and technical/tactical things I want to make sure to do in order to get that win.


Melissa McMorrow – Behind the Ropes
April 24, 2009

Q) Why / how did you start boxing?

I went to a live sparring fight night. I have always been competitive and wondered how I would fare in the ring. So, I went to a gym and tried. I really liked it, so I stayed. One thing led to another and now I’m fighting at the HP!

Q) What fighters did you look up to growing up?

I was not exposed to boxing growing up. But now I would say that I am most inspired by 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?

Since my professional career is just beginning, I would say my most memorable fight was my professional debut mostly because I marked a huge milestone in achieving my dream…but also because it was a really done up event at the Playboy Mansion!

Q) What do you want to accomplish in your boxing career?

I want to be the champion of the world, of course!

Q) What do you think about the state of boxing in the Bay Area?

I think boxing in the Bay Area is in a state of decline and needs exciting and promising faces to bring pride to the area.

Q) How do spend your time outside of the ring?

I work a full time job at SolarCity, a Solar Power company, creating permit submittals for residential photovoltaic systems. I also like to draw and paint, hang out with friends, and do active things like camp and play soccer. I also like glass blowing but can only make really wonky drinking glasses.

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) Do you have any message for your fans?

Of course! No dream is too big. Whatever dream you have, reach for it!