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Pounding on the Glass Ceiling Interview with Amy Green Part 2 The Publicist and Women's Boxing

posted by Kathleen Holland on July 8, 2008, in Punch Lines By Judi Abate

By Judi Abate
Boxing Diva

Continuing my discussion with Amy Green, (boxing writer, publicist and champion for women's boxing) our focus will be on publicity and women's boxing. Amy has recently done some publicity work for an MMA event but the majority of her time is devoted to publicity for women's boxing which was evident in her many long hours of work for the biggest PPV event in women's boxing history, the "Finally" card just last month.
I am happy to acknowledge I was on the receiving end of some aspects of all her hard work as she provided me with access to 4 phone interviews with some major players in that exciting event. These "getting to know" visits with the best female boxers around has definitely opened my eyes to the opposite side of boxing's element. In the future and with Amy's assistance I hope to interview more women boxers and to continue my support of them in the sport of fisticuffs.

Let's talk to Amy about her job as publicist and her opinions on the sport of women's boxing. Here is what we chatted about:

BD Amy, how did you get involved with the publicity side of boxing?
AG I was writing a column called The Green Room for boxinginlasvegas.com and through the editor Butch Gottlieb, I was introduced to the promoters of A Ring Of Their Own and from there I learned all the aspects of what the job entailed and really loved the work they did with giving women's boxing their own series.

BD Is publicity a 24 hour job?
AG Yes. Boxing doesn't take a season off like other sports. You have to stay focused and keep your client busy and "out there".

BD What can a boxer do to help make your job easier?
AG Keep appointments and sustain good lines of communication with all involved in their publicity.

BD Who would be your dream client in both female and male boxing?
AG I couldn't have any better clients then I have in Maureen Shea and Holly Holm. As far as the male side most likely Kelly Pavlik or someone who is under appreciated and needs better exposure such as Grady Brewer.

BD What are some of your accomplishments in this field?
AG Getting the Holm vs. Sanders event in USA Today and JET magazines. Working with MTV and PETA for Maureen Shea. Having an article about Chevelle Hallback in Watermark, an alternate lifestyle publication in Tampa, Florida.

BD Do you believe there is no such thing as bad publicity?
AG It's hard to say what is good or bad publicity these days. I'm glad for any publicity but do not like the bad. Publicity is an uphill battle.

BD Who is a great publicist today?
AG Bob Trieger. He's a good all round nice guy.

BD What is the most effective mode for publicity?
AG I would have to say the internet followed by newspaper and magazines and finally television and radio.

BD What makes a good publicity team?
AG Boxers, managers,trainers working together with the publicist to get information about their client out there. Knowledge is power and people need to know about your fighter.

BD Who is your biggest influence or mentor in the area of publicity?
AG Jackie Kallen. I've worked with her, interviewed her and read about her. She has excelled in the sport of boxing so long. I admire her positive attitude and dignified manner no matter the situation. She is a class act. Also two former advertising managers I have worked for, Edna Stinnett who works now for the Daily Oklahoman, who taught me not to give up, keep going until you get a "yes" and Tammy Claire, who has instilled in me once you get that YES, get the most out of it.

BD Are their particular challenges for publicizing women's boxing?
AG Quite a few, as many media outlets don't take the sport seriously or believe there is much interest.
BD How can women's boxing get a higher profile?
AG More fights like the Holm/Sanders card. To have HBO and Shotime put on a title match or even an eight round event. HBO's Boxing After Dark or ShoBox on Show Time would be great oultets for female fights. ESPN and Fox Sports have had success with women's boxing, why not these other two networks?

BD Do you believe most male fans see women's boxing as a spectacle or a cat fight?
AG I think most male fans believe that until they witness a women's fight. Then seeing is believing. They will see first hand it's NOT "slap and tickle, oohh maybe someone's top will come off foxy boxing". It's 2 minute rounds of action-packed and intense fighting.

BD What is the biggest misconception of womans boxing?
AG That they are poorly trained athlethes with no talent or skill.

BD Do you feel women boxers are exploited?
AG To a point. The bad of the sport tends to be exploited not the good.

BD What do you feel about female boxers dating their trainers?
AG It depends on the maturity level of both people involved. It could cause alot of conflict on both sides.

BD Which is a bigger problem with women's boxing-creditability or gettig attention for the sport?
AG A combination of both, if there is no creditability there will be no attention.

BD Do you believe women are sexualizing their own sport?
AG Some may use their sex appeal to get ahead thinking of their future beyond boxing. If they go that route they need to carefully consider everything first especially how to deal with the critics because they will be right there in the front row.

BD Are you angry that women's boxing is not a part of the Olympics this year?
AG I'm unhappy about it.

BD Is it harder for women to get publicity than men?
AG Yes! It's difficult especially when that fighter lives in a city with a major sports franchise, like an NBA team, then the women fighters get very little if any coverage. Try getting some publicity for 4'11 Wendy Rodriguez when 7' tall Kobe Bryant and the Lakers are winning.

BD Are you a feminist?
AG In some aspects but I'm not a fanatic. Both sexes need to be treated equally.

BD Why don't male promoters promote women's boxing?
AG They don't see it as a financial windfall. . It won't break them to put more women on their cards, and they could tap into another revenue source if they'd give a good match a chance.

BD Who has contributed most to legitimizing and popularizing women's boxing?
AG As far as legitimizing it Christy Martin, Sue Fox, Ann Wolfe and A ring of their own.
Popularizing it I would have to say Laila Ali and Holly Holm, who was recently nominated for an ESPY.

BD I have heard the comment that women can not be both a girly-girl and boxer at the same time, what do you think?
AG It's a misconception. Boxing is a job and being a girl is what they are.

BD Who is media friendly to women's boxing?
AG The internet and magazines, USA Today, JET, The Ring are coming along. Some of the bigger websites are still just posting press releases and not much more content.

BD Who is not media friendly to women's boxing?
AG There are some websitesm espn.com, and yahoosports.com that just will not publicize women 's boxing, claiming there is not enough of interest in it among their readership. That kind of baffles me- when USA Today and JET were more than willing to create space for Holm/Sanders....

BD Describe women's boxing in 1 word?
AG Challenging

BD What are 3 great aspects of women's boxing?
AG Excitement,dedication and heart.

BD How are women boxers better than their male counterparts?
AG They have a better work ethic, they are punctual, enthusiastic and have a more serious attitude in the gym. These qualities make them different versus better.

BD What is the best quality any boxer can have?
AG Determination

BD Boxing takes___________________
AG Perserverance

BD Parting words?
AG I appreciate the opportunity to express my views and opinions, which I hope to be taken constructively and not harmful or critical. Thank you for the interview.

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