Post by Dee Williams on Jun 14, 2009 16:03:19 GMT -5
by Michael Hunter, USA Today
www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2009-06-13-1838575204_x.htm
DENVER (AP) — When Sacred Downing was 5, all she wanted to do was box, but she couldn't convince her father to let her lace up the gloves.
Then James Downing saw his daughter punching the air and moving her feet and he was convinced she had talent. Eighteen years later, she's proving she still does.
Sacred Downing jumped out to a quick lead on Rita Martinez in the featherweight title bout at the USA boxing national championships, then held on for a 14-9 win Friday night to capture her sixth straight USA nationals crown.
"It never gets old," Downing said.
Not after it took begging her father, a former military boxer, to let her try the sport.
"When I was 5 I wanted to box, but I was his little baby girl so he had me in other sports like soccer and karate," Downing said. "My mom came to him and said, 'Maybe you should have your little baby girl box."'
Instead of letting her box, James Downing signed her up for soccer.
"I told her mom I would train her in soccer, not boxing, to get her into top shape," Downing said. "When I went to the field to get her in shape I saw her shadowboxing. It captivated me."
Sacred Downing, now 23, keeps captivating her father as she racks up national titles. She was aggressive against Martinez on Friday, taking an 11-2 lead in the first two rounds before Martinez rallied. The boxer from Las Cruces, N.M., started landing punches on Downing, who acknowledged Martinez was gaining momentum.
"She's a real good fighter, and I told her she's got a heart," Downing said.
Downing's early lead was big enough, and she walked away with her sixth belt.
Downing wasn't the only boxer to repeat as a champion Friday night. Marlen Esparza won her fourth USA nationals crown by beating Marina Ramirez 21-1 in the flyweight division; Queen Underwood of Seattle won the welterweight title with a 17-9 decision over Jennifer Fenn of Cedar Creek, Texas, her third title; and Melissa Roberts of Camp Lejeune, N.C., captured her second title with a 22-9 win over Deirdre Rhodes of St. Louis, Mo., in the lightweight title match.
Chatiqua Hemingway of Pittsburgh used a strong performance in the third and fourth rounds to beat Tyler Lord Wilder from Lansing, Mich., 12-10 in the heavyweight title bout. It was Hemingway's second USA nationals title.
by Irv Moss, Denver Post
www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_12582775
Winning national boxing championships could become old hat for Sacred Downing.
The 23-year-old boxer from Trenton, N.J., won her sixth national title Friday night at the 2009 USA Boxing National Championships at the Denver Coliseum.
Even though she said she doesn't get tired of winning, there still was a little extra excitement after beating Rita Martinez on points at 119 pounds.
There's a big moment coming up for women's boxing, and it could come as early as August but no later than October. Sometime during that span, the International Olympic Committee will vote on admitting women's boxing for the first time to the Olympic program for the 2012 Summer Games in London.
"I'm counting on the vote to be favorable," Downing said. "I definitely think about the Olympic vote. Yes, of course, I'll stay around if the vote is favorable. I don't know what I'll do if it's not favorable. I might just stick around either way. Winning this tournament never is old hat."
But for now, Downing will return to Trenton and resume her work helping direct young people into worthwhile activities.
"I like to hang out in the library," Downing said. "I like peace and quiet."
Jim Millman, CEO of USA Boxing headquartered in Colorado Springs, echoed Downing's confidence in the IOC vote.
"The indications are very positive that it will be approved," Millman said. "It's a fantastic opportunity for the women's program, particularly because the U.S. has a very strong team and program."
Millman explained the reasons for his confidence, noting that more than 100 countries are participating in women's boxing and that boxing is the lone Olympic sport that doesn't already have men's and women's participation.
Millman said Friday night's winners would be among the favorites for a place on the first Olympic team going into the 2011 Olympic Trials.
www.usatoday.com/sports/boxing/2009-06-13-1838575204_x.htm
DENVER (AP) — When Sacred Downing was 5, all she wanted to do was box, but she couldn't convince her father to let her lace up the gloves.
Then James Downing saw his daughter punching the air and moving her feet and he was convinced she had talent. Eighteen years later, she's proving she still does.
Sacred Downing jumped out to a quick lead on Rita Martinez in the featherweight title bout at the USA boxing national championships, then held on for a 14-9 win Friday night to capture her sixth straight USA nationals crown.
"It never gets old," Downing said.
Not after it took begging her father, a former military boxer, to let her try the sport.
"When I was 5 I wanted to box, but I was his little baby girl so he had me in other sports like soccer and karate," Downing said. "My mom came to him and said, 'Maybe you should have your little baby girl box."'
Instead of letting her box, James Downing signed her up for soccer.
"I told her mom I would train her in soccer, not boxing, to get her into top shape," Downing said. "When I went to the field to get her in shape I saw her shadowboxing. It captivated me."
Sacred Downing, now 23, keeps captivating her father as she racks up national titles. She was aggressive against Martinez on Friday, taking an 11-2 lead in the first two rounds before Martinez rallied. The boxer from Las Cruces, N.M., started landing punches on Downing, who acknowledged Martinez was gaining momentum.
"She's a real good fighter, and I told her she's got a heart," Downing said.
Downing's early lead was big enough, and she walked away with her sixth belt.
Downing wasn't the only boxer to repeat as a champion Friday night. Marlen Esparza won her fourth USA nationals crown by beating Marina Ramirez 21-1 in the flyweight division; Queen Underwood of Seattle won the welterweight title with a 17-9 decision over Jennifer Fenn of Cedar Creek, Texas, her third title; and Melissa Roberts of Camp Lejeune, N.C., captured her second title with a 22-9 win over Deirdre Rhodes of St. Louis, Mo., in the lightweight title match.
Chatiqua Hemingway of Pittsburgh used a strong performance in the third and fourth rounds to beat Tyler Lord Wilder from Lansing, Mich., 12-10 in the heavyweight title bout. It was Hemingway's second USA nationals title.
by Irv Moss, Denver Post
www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_12582775
Winning national boxing championships could become old hat for Sacred Downing.
The 23-year-old boxer from Trenton, N.J., won her sixth national title Friday night at the 2009 USA Boxing National Championships at the Denver Coliseum.
Even though she said she doesn't get tired of winning, there still was a little extra excitement after beating Rita Martinez on points at 119 pounds.
There's a big moment coming up for women's boxing, and it could come as early as August but no later than October. Sometime during that span, the International Olympic Committee will vote on admitting women's boxing for the first time to the Olympic program for the 2012 Summer Games in London.
"I'm counting on the vote to be favorable," Downing said. "I definitely think about the Olympic vote. Yes, of course, I'll stay around if the vote is favorable. I don't know what I'll do if it's not favorable. I might just stick around either way. Winning this tournament never is old hat."
But for now, Downing will return to Trenton and resume her work helping direct young people into worthwhile activities.
"I like to hang out in the library," Downing said. "I like peace and quiet."
Jim Millman, CEO of USA Boxing headquartered in Colorado Springs, echoed Downing's confidence in the IOC vote.
"The indications are very positive that it will be approved," Millman said. "It's a fantastic opportunity for the women's program, particularly because the U.S. has a very strong team and program."
Millman explained the reasons for his confidence, noting that more than 100 countries are participating in women's boxing and that boxing is the lone Olympic sport that doesn't already have men's and women's participation.
Millman said Friday night's winners would be among the favorites for a place on the first Olympic team going into the 2011 Olympic Trials.