Getting Back to Boxing

​This year I knew that I wanted to get involved in boxing on a more substantial level.  As a former professional boxer who was shaped by the sport and has had so much experience in it, it feels like giving back needs to be part of my purpose.  I have only had the time to do boxing workouts over the last few years, but this year I wanted to also get back to coaching and officiating.  I registered to be a USA Boxing coach and official in January of this year, but it wasn’t until this fall that I’ve been able to get back to it.  I checked in at Jawbreaker boxing in August and knew that I wanted to start there.  I have known Remy, the owner of the gym, for over 10 years and he knows and respects my skills in the sport.  When I approached him about coaching and teaching classes, he said to me, “Yvonne, I’ve been waiting for you to come back to coach here.  Of course, I would want someone with your level of skill to work here.”  That made me feel so amazing!  It is one of the few boxing gyms in the area that is what I would call a “real” boxing gym.  Nowadays, most gyms focus on teaching boxing fitness classes with no fighters that actually compete and also no time where you can just go to the gym to work out on your own. Jawbreaker has a team of competitive fighters, as well as a crew of loyal non-competitive clients who have been coming to the gym for years to train.  It is a friendly community and I’m excited to be involved with everyone there to help them with their boxing goals.  I have been touched by how welcomed I have felt by everyone at the gym even the young fighters come to me for advice.  I am a bit rusty with teaching fitness classes and helping teach individual skills and drills, but it is all coming back to me as I teach a couple of classes every week and work with fighters who have aspirations to compete. 

I also took a two-day coaching clinic to be certified as a bronze level coach through USA boxing in Charlotte in September and got to meet a lot of wonderful coaches from North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan and the Washington D.C. area.  It was great to network with everyone and share skills and learn different techniques as well as understand the training practices promoted by USA Boxing.  Coach Font of Fontaneux Boxing Academy in Fayetteville ran the clinic at Ultimate Boxing gym.  I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, learned so much and met so many great people.  USA Boxing is really stepping it up in terms of its coaching and athletic programs and I am excited as things continue to evolve and improve.
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​​Elouise Joseph is still the Chief of Officials in North Carolina and it is incredible that she has been at it for 25 years. She welcomed me back warmly when I told her I was coming back to officiate. We have a wonderful president in Patrick Finklin and I am just getting introduced to all that he brings to the table.  He wears many hats and seems to be incredibly savvy at juggling them all.  I was able to attend an official’s clinic in October in High Point, NC and then do my first bit of shadowing at Patrick’s boxing show in Charlotte on October 29th.  It was amazing to see all the committed officials who are still at it including Mr. Lightsey at 84 years old who was impeccable as the timekeeper.  Al Simpson was there and I got to shadow and talk with him.  He is one of the great coaches of the sport, being involved in coaching the U.S. Army team and the U.S. Olympic team.  There were also many who were doing it all-- coaching in one match, then judging another and then working as a referee.  It was truly inspiring.  I can’t wait to get even more involved next year. in amateur events.

I am so thrilled to be back to boxing. It is home for me and I love the community I have found here in North Carolina.