This summer marks the first time women’s boxing will be held as an Olympic event, and in addition to showing the ongoing progression of the sport, it also shows that it is no longer a “Boy’s Only” club.
While Stanhope resident Trista Arnesen may not have immediate plans to embark on a journey to prepare for the 2016 Olympics—although it is not out of the realm of possibility—the 28-year-old finds her way to Aces Boxing Club in Boonton six days a week where she laces the gloves up and works diligently at improving at her craft.
Nearly five years ago Trista stepped into a boxing gym for the first time for the sole purpose of purchasing training sessions for her now husband.
“While I was there, I was told that they held women’s classes and that the first class was complimentary,” said Trista. “Needless to say, I loved my first boxing workout; I was addicted after that first night, signed up immediately and haven’t looked back since.”
What began as a hobby and a means of training has quickly transformed into working towards a goal—Trista has her eyes set on August to make her amateur debut under the tutelage and watchful eye of owner and head coach of Aces Boxing Club—Joe Zabry.
“I would love to step between the ropes and get my first amateur fight,” said Trista. “I’ve been training daily and really try to listen to the advice from Coach Joe and the more experienced boxers, and implement it into my training regime. If I’m able to take on a few fights, I’d love to do it.”
Outside of the ring Trista balances a full-time job with her married life, and come the fall she will be returning to school to finish her last semester of nursing school. Her genuine and personable demeanor she maintains with her fellow boxers is a testament to her character, although once she puts the gloves on it is all business.
On several occasions she has proven she is there to get work in, never shying away from a chance to spar with one of her male counterparts.
“I love boxing for a lot of reasons,” said Trista. “The small club feel, feeling the team environment shared between the other boxers at the gym. I like going in to spar and feeling like ‘one of the guys’ and not just some silly girl trying to do a ‘man’s sport.”
In any sport it is tough for a woman to feel at home when surrounded by a gym full of men, though Trista has established herself as a credible fighter with a vicious left hook and unrelenting desire to continue to get better within the squared circle.
“Boxing is appealing to me because it is a great cardiovascular workout and I love the sense of accomplishment it gives me,” said Trista. “I enjoy being pushed to train harder and in boxing, you can always be training harder.”
There’s an old adage in boxing…You play baseball, you play basketball, you play football…you don’t play boxing…you fight.
Trista Arnesen displays that conviction and determination each time she steps into Aces Boxing Club and goes to work with her team. A leader by example and someone other’s look to for motivation, the hard hitter with fast hands has the talent and desire to make a big impact within the women’s amateur boxing scene, and undoubtedly will find success in any endeavor she embarks upon inside and out of the ring.
“I’d have to say that I was extremely lucky to walk into the boxing gym five years ago and meet Coach Joe Zabry,” says Trista. “I’ve been lucky enough to be training and working out with him ever since; he’s an incredible coach and an all-around great guy. I love that he pushes me and doesn’t care what the excuse of the day is. He wants his fighters to train harder than anyone else, and he makes sure they do, that’s for sure.”
For more information on Aces Boxing Club and to stay afloat of when Trista Arnesen will be making her amateur debut, visit www.acesboxingclub.com.
Javier Fortuna vs. Cristobal Cruz on July 6th
“A victory (over Cristobal Cruz) would mean that I’m ready for big things and big fights against the world champions.”
Featherweight magician Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (19-0, 14 KOs) is in heavy preparation for his upcoming showdown with former International Boxing Federation (IBF) Featherweight Champion Cristobal Cruz (39-13, 23 KOs) on Friday, July 6, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and televised live on ESPN Friday Night Fights.
The 22-year-old southpaw from La Romana, Dominican Republic, is one of the hottest young fighters in the world, coming off his spectacular Friday Night Fights-televised first-round annihilation of Yuandale Evans last April.
Fortuna and Cruz will meet in the main event of the Sampson Boxing and Greg Cohen Promotions show entitled “The Moment of Truth”, which will also feature Russian heavyweight power puncher Magomed “Mago” Abdusalamov (14-0, 14 KOs) defending his WBC United States (USNBC) Silver Heavyweight Championship in a 10-round battle against fellow up-and-coming heavyweight Maurice “Freight Train” Byarm (13-1-1, 9 KOs).
The opportunity to fight Cruz came earlier this month when the event’s original main event fell apart due to injury.
During a break in training Fortuna sat down to answer the following questions, via translator.
Isn’t this a tough fight to take on somewhat short notice? How do you feel about it?
All the fights are difficult and all opponents go into the ring to beat you. I feel good because since my last fight I have continued to train hard.
What do you think of Cristobal as a fighter?
Like all Mexican fighters, he’s strong and comes forward, but we are prepared for everything.
What did your last fight do for your confidence?
The only confidence I have is that I train really hard. I beat an undefeated fighter and that just made me keep working hard and want it even more.
What would a victory over Cristobal Cruz mean for your career?
A victory would mean that I’m ready for big things and big fights against the world champions.
You are a young man. Are you ready for the added pressure that comes with stepping up to a main event televised fighter?
Yes I’m ready for all the pressure. I know this is a fight against a great boxer like Cristobal Cruz, but we are ready.
How will this fight end?
I’m going to try to do my boxing and beat him by KO.
Tell me about fighting for Sampson Boxing.
It’s going very well and I’m proud to be fighting for him. I’m very happy he’s in charge of my career.
What was the reaction from fans in the Dominican to your last fight?
They are very loyal and follow all my fights. They were very happy because I beat Evans.
Headlining the undercard, popular heavyweight and current interim PABA Heavyweight Champion “Bronco” Billy Wright (37-4, 28 KOs) will continue his successful comeback in a 10-round bout.
Also scheduled to fight six-round bouts are Las Vegas, via Puerto Rico, super middleweight Carlos De Leon Jr (21-3-2, 14 KOs); and undefeated Las Vegas featherweight Rocco Santomauro (8-0).
Scheduled for four-rounders are Jackson, Michigan, cruiserweight William “Lil’ Tyson” Williams (5-2-1, 4 KOs); Henderson, Nevada, cruiserweight Brandon Harris (5-0, 3 KOs) and Romanian import Ronald Gavril (2-0, 1 KO).
Tickets for “The Moment of Truth” are priced at $29 general admission, $44 reserved, $104 ringside and $204 VIP and are available at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino box office daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and through Ticketmaster, either by calling 702-474-4000 or 800-745-3000, or by going online at ticketmaster.com.
On fight night, doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the event starts at 5:30 p.m.
All bouts are subject to change.
For updates, visit www.sampsonboxing.com or www.gcpboxing.com.
Takeover Fact Sheet: Jason Estrada – Alex Gonzalez
WHAT: “Takeover” Professional Boxing Show
WHEN: Friday, June 29, 2012
WHO: Main Event (8) Heavyweights
Jason “Big Six” Estrada (18-4, 5 KOs), 2004 U.S. Olympian, Providence, RI
Alex Gonzalez (20-6, 10 KOs), 1992 Puerto Rican Olympian, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
Co-Feature (6) – Light Heavyweights
Brian “The Bull” Barbosa (30-6, 22 KOs), Providence, RI
John “Rusty” Johnson (13-2, 10 KOs), Batesville, MS
Welterweights (6)
Diego Pereira (6-0-1, 2 KOs), Pawtucket, RI
William “Chino” Correa (9-5, 8 KOs), Framingham, MA
Heavyweights (4)
Jesse Barboza (4-1-1, 3 KOs), Hyannis, MA
Salmon “Manos de Piedra” Beccera (2-5, 2 KOs), Detroit, MI
Lightweights (4)
Toka Kahn-Clary (pro debut), Pawtucket, MA
Jonathan Caban (0-2), Queens, NY
Light Welterweights (4)
Jair Ramos (2-0, 1 KO), Waterbury, CT
Joel Alarcon (0-2), New Bedford, MA
Female Welterweights (4)
Kali Reiss (4-1-1, 2 KOs), Providence, RI
Lyneisha Jefferson (0-1), Newark, NJ
Junior Welterweights (4)
“Steamin'” Josh Beeman (4-11-3, 2 KOs), Providence, RI
Robert Hunt (0-2), Hyannis, MA
Junior Middleweights (4)
Rameil Shelton (0-4), Providence, RI
Jesus Cintron (0-1-1), Quincy, MA
(All fights & fighters subject to change)
WHERE: Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI
PROMOTER: Big Six Entertainment
INFORMATION: www.bigsixentertainment.com
DOORS OPEN: 6:00 PM/ET FIRST BOUT: 7 PM/ET
TICKETS: $35.00, $45.00 and $75.00 and available to purchase at the Rhode Island Convention Center box office.
REMINDER: The official weigh-in will be held Thursday, June 28, 2012 at Art Bar, 171 Chestnut Street in Providence, RI. Fighters will be on the scale at approximately 6 PM / PM.