28.04.08 – By Vivek Wallace, Photo by Emily Harney – Generally when boxing talk hits the airwaves it deals primarily with the Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s, the Oscar Dela Hoya’s, and maybe the Manny Pacquiao’s of the world. When more seasoned fight aficionado’s take a trip down memory lane, they think Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, and maybe a couple others. After years of male dominance in the sport, fight fans began to slowly take note of the great female boxers who’ve been talented enough to penetrate the television market and put on spectacular performances, such as the Christy Martin and the Laila Ali. As female based boxing continues to develop a more consistent fan group, the reality is that it still isn’t too easy to witness these talents, and since mainstream media has failed to consistently bring these talents to the world, today, we bring a one solid contender on her way up the ranks to you. To some, particularly above the Canadian border, this fighter may need no introduction, and after today, those below the border will be glad to announce that they don’t either.. Recently I had the opportunity to have a ‘fire-side chat’ with the lovely, yet potentially dangerous Sandy ‘Lil Tyson’ Tsagouris, and after doing so, I walked away with the feeling that the future of this fighter will surely be a very bright one. Below is a few questions from that interview:
VW: Sandy, as a beautiful woman who could just as easily be modeling for someone, why boxing and when did you decide that this would be the path for you?
ST: I realized that I wanted to become a boxer when I was in grade 9, at 15 years old. A boxing club came to my school and held a demonstration class. I remember one of the instructors telling me that he thought I had a nice right hand as he held focus pads. From that day, I was sold. Boxing was my new love.
VW: Who are some of the fighters, current or past, who inspired you and helped you hone your craft?
ST: Growing up I loved watching Mike Tyson, hence the nickname. I loved how intense he always fought. Currently I would have to say I enjoy watching Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Peter Manfredo Jr..
VW: Were there any events in life that you dealt with during your pre-boxing years that shaped help you as a fighter?
ST: I grew up the youngest in the family and being the only girl with two older brothers I had no choice but to defend myself. My brothers always played rough, so I would have to say that they started my career. (Smiles)
VW: I spoke earlier about you potentially modeling. If you weren’t a boxer, what would you be doing in life?
ST: If I wasn’t a boxer I would hope that I would be some sort of athlete. I’ve always had a love for sports and was always pretty talented. My days always start off and end with some sort of activity.
VW: What’s a typical day in the life of Sandy Tsagouris? What are your hobbies?
ST: Some of my hobbies include spending a day at the beach, rollerblading, pretty much anything active, and shopping! Aside from that, I love animals so spending time with my dogs is very relaxing.
VW: Every fighter generally has some type of superstition or pre-fight ritual. What are yours if any?
ST: I don’t really have any pre fight ritual or superstitions, although my coach ” Billy Martin” always has to put the left glove on first! (Smiles)
VW: Coming off the one and only unfortunate loss of your career, what do you plan to implement into your fight game to bounce back?
ST: Coming off a loss, I thought it would be tough to get back in the gym. It wasn’t because I did everything we worked on in the fight and I felt I won the fight. The loss has only made me stronger and hungrier.
VW: Every fighter has a hit-list. Some we know of, others we don’t. If given the opportunity, who would you want to face next and in the future?
ST: I love to fight, so the goal is to fight everyone. (Smiles). But the one person I would love to get another crack at would be Ina Menzer. I believe I won, but that’s not good enough. I want those belts.
VW: What are your biggest attributes as a fighter? (i.e. heart, chin, speed, what?)
ST: I’d like to think of myself as a well rounded boxer. I like to throw every punch and make it count. In every fight so far I have a new favorite punch. So really my biggest attributes to boxing is that I’m unpredictable for an opponent and not easy to prepare for.
VW: In closing, what last words do you have for your readers, fans, and those who have just come to know who Sandy ‘Lil Tyson’ really is?
ST: The last thing that I would like to say to any readers and fans is to believe in your own abilities. The tagline “Because I Can!” was formulated because I always kept this in mind.
This interview was only a brief look into the world of a fighter on the rise. As she prepares for her June 21st fight in Ontario, Canada, Sandy has setup a fight camp based in Florida. For now she may be a fairly unknown commidity to the world of American female boxing, but when the lid blows on this talent box, remember where you heard of her first. Right here on Eastside Boxing. The home of the true ‘Fight Aficionado’.
(Got Questions or Feedback?:Write ESB’s Vivek Wallace at vivexemail@yahoo.com, or show some love at www.myspace.com/anonymouslyinvolved)