MightyGloves.com

In Plain Sight

posted by Kathleen Holland on June 2, 2008, in Punch Lines By Judi Abate

By Judi Abate
Boxing Diva

Although Melinda Cooper hasn't been seen in sports pages much recently and no mention has been made of her on the more popular boxing websites, she is anything but gone from the women's boxing scene. Melinda (18-0-0) is definitely still here and ready to return to the ring on June 12 in a scheduled six round bout. She has been training on and off since her last fight, over a year ago, and is anxious to show where she stands when she faces off with Donna Biggers (19-7-1) at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Melinda is very confident and quick to suggest that she will post an impressive win in this upcoming challenge. Her combination of technical skills, an extensive amateur background, natural ability, maturity and stunning good looks does make her a crowd favorite going in. An exciting win over Biggers will go a long way in re-establishing her as the face and future of woman's boxing.

I totally enjoyed our conversation. I found Melinda to be very down to earth, soft spoken and humble. We had a few laughs along the way and also some serious moments in discussing what's coming up for her in the sport.

Let's talk with Melinda Cooper:

JA Thanks for taking the time for speaking with me Melinda.
MC Thank you.

JA Are you excited or nervous about your upcoming fight?
MC More excited than nervous. I'm anxious to get in the ring again.

JA Any thoughts about the match up?
MC I'm not really concerned about it. I'm glad she has a decent record and hope for a good fight.

JA Do you have a game plan for this bout?
MC I do. I'm working on different things with my trainer.

JA How is training going?
MC Great. We are working hard and are really focused on doing well.

JA How is your overall conditioning?
MC Great. I've gotten some good sparring for this fight and we're putting the time in that we need.

JA How important is your team to your overall success?
MC Very Important. I have my trainer and my manger and both have been with me from the beginning. We know what we need to do, in the ring and in the gym.

JA Why did you choose boxing?
MC I tried it out as a new sport, kind of by acccident. It kind of clicked.

JA What is your motivation for this fight?
MC To let people know this is not a comeback...they'll see that I'm the same fighter I was a year ago, maybe even better.

JA Do you think this will be your toughest fight to date?
MC I do in some ways because I haven't fought in a year. There's a little more pressure, but I'm ready for it.

JA Since your last fight was over a year ago , are you worried about ring rust?
MC No not at all. I have been sparring. Fighting comes naturally to me.

JA Did you feel you needed time off from boxing?
MC There was so much going on. I was still training on and off during that time off.

JA Your work ethic is one word is...
MC Hard-worker. I like to 'show off' that I do have skills in the ring and work hard for them.

JA What comes easiest to you in boxing?
MC My movement and putting combinations together. I'm a boxer.

JA Who is your role model?
MC Anyone who has the courage to step in the ring.

JA What makes YOU special?
MC My trainer, James Pena, my management team, the Underground Boxing Company and my confidence.

JA Favorite fighters of today?
MC Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya

JA How do you deal with being a woman in a male-focused sport?
MC It used to bother me that we weren't taken seriously, but I think that's slowly changing. Now I just concentrate on showing my skills and know that I'll get respect eventually.

JA Are you a girly-girl?
MC I can be at times. I like shopping, getting my nails done, all of those types of things, but I'm mostly a tomboy.

JA How do you relax?
MC Hanging out with friends, movies, and going shopping.

JA If you didn't box what career path would you have chosen?
MC Maybe basketball. I played on the team in high school. I just like to compete.

JA 3 words to describe your personality?
MC Trustworthy, spontaneous and athletic.

JA Favorite color?
MC Blue and Red.

JA Favorite food?
MC Spaghetti

JA Favorite snack?
MC Chocolate

JA Your Hobbies?
MC Going to the movies.

JA If you could have superhero power what would it be?
MC See the future.

JA What is your best body part?
MC I like my whole body. Maybe that's the girly-girl in me. I like to fix my hair when training and my trainer yells at me for it.

JA Do you have a nemesis in boxing?
MC No. I'm laid back. I don't like confrontation. I let my trainer doing the talking. He does plenty of that and then I back it up in the ring.

JA If you could have a do over it would be?
MC The fights I won by decisions.

JA What do you love about boxing?
MC The adrenalin build up before getting into the ring and winning the bout.

JA What do you dislike about it?
MC Training.

JA What do you say to people who tell you, you are too pretty to box?
MC Thank you. I like to keep my pretty face pretty.

JA What are you afraid of?
MC Losing. I don't want to lose. I lost in my amateur career and I didn't like that feeling at all.

JA Who inspires you as a fighter?
MC My trainer. He had a great amateur career and knows so much about the sport.

JA Now that your on the women's boxing scene's radar are you going to stay back?
MC Yes. I have a few fights lined up and I'm ready to create some excitement.

JA Before we wrap up, one last question how can we keep boxing strong?
MC To have more trainers willing to work and make more future champs, more females to learn the sport and to reach out to youth to introduce them to boxing.

JA Any thoughts in closing?
MC Thank you to everyone for supporting me and thank you for the interview. I'm back!!!

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