MightyGloves.com

Grace, Glory and Guts

posted by Kathleen Holland on May 28, 2008, in Punch Lines By Judi Abate

By Judi Abate
Boxing DIva

Alicia ' Slick' Ashley ( 14-7-1) will be trading leather come June 12th with Lisa Brown in a 10 round bout for the NABF Female Super Bantamweight Title. Alicia is a fierce and formidable fighter and yet with her extensive experience with dance has given this warrior the grace and composure of a true performer inside the ring.

Alicia will tell you that dance plays a major part in her boxing style. Not only can she move with speed and grace in a pressured situation she is also gifted with the ability to slip and counter in any given round. Alicia has been known to take the lead in many of her previous dances in the squared circle. Where she becomes a smooth mover and unhittable target.

Many have compared Alicia's style to that of Pernell Witaker and Floyd Mayweather Jr. which she acknowledges is a very nice compliment. Not only does Alicia train religiously in the gym every day but she also finds time to show off her excellent kickboxing skills as a member of Chuck Norris' World Combat League. Her superior work ethic contain the components of dedication,drive and determination.

Let's spend a few minutes with Alicia the IWBF Super Bantamweight World Champ and WIBA-GBU Interim Bantamweight Champion:

JA Thank you for taking the time to speak with me Alicia.
AA Thank you.

JA Are you excited or nervous about this upcoming fight?
AA very excited. I was suppose to fight Lisa 4 or 5 times before and now we will finally get the chance.

JA What are your thoughts on the matchup?
AA It will be a great fight. It will be a puncher against a boxer. I think it will be very interesting.

JA Do you have a game plan for this fight?
AA I'm a mover. I will counter right away.

JA How is training going?
AA Pretty well. I've been in shape even before training started. I didn't have to lose any weight for this fight.

JA Your are trained by your brother is that a problem at all?
AA Never has it been a problem. He is 10 years older than I am so I have always had to listen to him.

JA How is your overall conditioning?
AA Very very good. I never worry about losing steam during a fight.

JA Why boxing?
AA Boxing choose me. I basically was a kick boxer first. My first amateur kickboxing fight was against a boxer. I wanted to learn to box to get better at kick boxing but I also began to love boxing.

JA Will fighting Lisa be your toughest fight yet?
AA Not really but it will hold a challenge to me.

JA You're a bit older than some of the women in boxing today is that an issue with you at all?
AA No, not at all. I don't look old and I don't feel old. It's not about age. I've only had 22 pro fights. I'm very young at boxing.

JA What is your motivation for this particular fight?
AA To look good and make her look silly. I'm a performer.

JA Who is your role model?
AA My brother. He shows no signs of slowing down what ever. He's a kick boxer and goes in the ring with guys half his age.

JA What makes you special?
AA Adaptability. Boxing to me is like a chess game. Me /you in a certain direction. I try to put my opponents in a position for me to score and I have to know how to move out of a situation so I don't get hit.

JA Who is your favorite fighter?
AA Floyd Mayweather Jr.

JA How would you describe your boxing style?
AA Slick

JA What do consider your best punch?
AA If you favor a certain punch then people get use to it. What ever is working for me is my best.

JA How do you deal with being a women in a male-dominated sport?
AA Since I have a background in kickboxing and karate which females have been accepted into. The males around me knew I was dedicated and there was no sexism at all.

JA Being a southpaw is it difficult to get fights or find sparer's?
AA No problem at all. Training in Gleason's gym gives me a wide range of sparring partners. Diversity is good.

JA Are you a girly girl?
AA I like to be feminite. In the gym I wear sweats but when I leave for the day I like to dress up.

JA What do you do to relax?
AA Lots and lots of movies.

JA 3 words to describe your personality?
AA Laid back, strong and accepting.

JA Favorite color?
AA Gold

Ja Favorite food?
AA Jamaican

JA Favorite snack?
AA Ice cream

JA If you could have a superhero power what would it be?
AA Telekinesis

JA What do you love about boxing?
AA Unpredictability it's different all the time.

JA What do you dislike about it?
AA Boxing politics.

JA What is the biggest misconception of female boxers or female boxing?
AA Most people think it is a cat fight. Woman fighters are more exciting than men.

JA What has contributed positively to your success?
AA My dedication and discipline. My brother being my trainer.

JA Before we wrap up one last question, How can we keep boxing strong?
AA Focus on better matchups.

JA Any closing thoughts?
AA The fight will be interesting and it will be a performance of a lifetime.

JA Thank you and good luck.
AA Thank you Judi.

« Previous article: "The Ghost" Guerrero is in "La Reina’s Corner

Next article: CERVEZA TECATE BRINGS PASSION OF “SOLO BOXEO” PROGRAM TO PITTSBURGH FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS FRIDAY »