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INTERVIEW FROM MUSCLE INDIA May 2004
I had the chance to talk to pro boxer Yvonne Caples. Many thanks to her.
Hi Yvonne, could you introduce yourself? My name is Yvonne Caples. I am the current IFBA Jr. Flyweight world champion in boxing. I am also a high school English teacher and I live in Las Vegas , Nevada , USA . When have you started with boxing? I started boxing about 10 years ago while I was a student at UC Berkeley. I had a friend who was a boxer and he took me to the boxing gym. I was in awe of the ballet-like movement of the skilled boxers as well as there speed, power and toughness. When I first tried boxing, I saw how demanding and challenging it was both mentally and physically and said to myself "If I can do this, I can do anything!" and thus began my entry into the boxing world and my dedication to the sport. Also Berkeley is one of the few universities that has a boxing team and a boxing gym. Although I got my start at King's Gym in Oakland , I ended up doing a lot of training at the University and eventually became a coach for the women's team. Did you do other sports before? Before boxing, I competed in triathlons. I also played softball, basketball, and volleyball and ran cross country and track in high school. Do you still remember your first official fight? Yes, I still remember my first fight vividly. It was in June of 1996. I had trained for three years and finally had the opportunity to fight. I was so excited but also very nervous because I didn't know what to expect. The fight was in Los Angeles against Linda Carillo so I drove 8 hours to get there, but it was worth it. It was very exciting and I won the fight! You are a pro boxer. Have you been an amateur boxer before? Yes, I fought amateur for 3 years having a total of 17 amateur fights. Do you think it's important for a pro boxer to have an amateur boxing background? Yes, I think it's very important to have an amateur background especially now. When I started boxing it was very difficult to get amateur bouts, but now it pretty easy so there is no reason not to get the amateur experience. There are a lot of tough pros now and so it is important to get amateur background and experience so that you are at the level necessary to compete as a professional. How many fights have you lost/won?
How do you train?
How much can you lift?
Do you also watch boxing fights live or on TV? Yes, I love to watch boxing live and on TV. I think it's very important for boxers to watch and study boxers who are the best to learn from them. Is boxing a brutal sport? What is the aim of boxing? Knocking the opponent off? I think boxing can be a brutal sport especially when people aren't evenly matched, but boxing is also a chess game where the smartest fighter wins. Have you already gotten hurt? I have been cut above the eye, received numerous bloody noses and black eyes and broken my left hand. Do you feel pain in the ring? Certainly when you get hit with a good shot it hurts. Have you ever knocked out an opponent? What do you feel then? Yes, initially I felt surprised and then concerned about the opponent. Do you think you are a tough woman? Yes, I think I am a tough woman, mentally and physically. Have you ever fought outside the States? Is there still time for sightseening? I have fought in Germany , Korea and Guam . Yes there is usually a little time for sight seeing Who is the greatest boxer? Right now, I feel that the two best boxers are Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright. I like them for what they do in the ring and their character out of the ring.The greatest boxer of all time would have to be Sugar Ray Robinson.Where and when is you next boxing bout? I'll cross my fingers.I'm not sure when my next bout will be. I am hoping sometime in June. Yvonne, thank you for the interview. Source: Muscle India - http://muscleindia.tripod.com/html/article17.html
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