“The Knockout” featured in “FINAL VICTORY”
Former WBC champion Mia St. John is used to fighting.
Through the years she’s had to fight stereotypes, she’s had to battle sexism, she’s had to jab back at the loud taunts of the critics in this male-dominated sport of boxing. Mia has also rebounded from alcoholism, mental health issues and OCD while balancing a boxing career and motherhood to boot. She’s never backed down, always the fighter.
And now “The Knockout” will lace up once again in a long-anticipated rematch against ring nemesis Christy Martin in their “Final Victory” headliner at the Table Mountain Casino in Friant, California. The pair will square off for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Female Light Middleweight on June 19.
I recently caught up with St. John and boxing advisor/promoter Claudia Ollis as the Martin-St. John bout nears. The dynamic duo have had a busy schedule in and out of boxing. Mia is an author, mental health advocate, Playboy model, and more with her own nonprofit in El Saber Es Poder. Ollis is an Orange County entrepreneur who aims to be a positive force in women’s boxing and beyond. The two just came back from attending the first-ever New York State Boxing Hall of Fame.
Now the sole focus will be on the upcoming summer showdown between “The Knockout” and “The Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Mia (46-11-2, 18 KOs) is bent on avenging her 2002 loss to Christy (49-6-3, 31 KOs) while Martin is seeking her 50th pro victory in this clash presented by Table Mountain Casino in association with Roy Englebrecht Promotions. Christy is also recovering from a brutal attack by her husband, who allegedly shot and stabbed the champion icon.
Come June 19, St. John told me she wants that WBC belt around her waist and plans on taking the title and beating Martin. The svelte boxer will be going up in weight but says she’s up for the challenge.
Again, this is one tough cookie. While her movie-star looks have helped to open doors, the Southern California puncher has also had to break down barriers all women face in the “old boys” network in boxing circles. During her 15 years as a prizefighter, Mia has never backed down. She’s certainly not going to bend this time either.
St. John is aware of all the critics, naysayers and haters who have put down, condemned and ridiculed this title fight between the two ladies, both in their forties. The pair will face off in ten two-minute rounds for this WBC championship strap. It’s no secret many people dislike female boxing, discounting women warriors in what they can offer in the ring. And it’s no secret many have mocked this super welterweight matchup between the two high-profile female sluggers, both former champions. While women’s boxing lags miles behind in exposure, paydays, and fan bases compared to men’s boxing, this summer will be the first time females will be allowed to compete in the Olympics. Progress prevails and little girls around the world have looked up to both Christy Martin and Mia St. John for years.
But while support has been there in some corners, the passion for women’s boxing is not nearly as strong as the women wish it could be. And while her harshest critics have aimed verbal taunts at her, St. John continues to jab back with her own counterpunching.
On the topic of age, she states: “Tommy Hearns and Ray Leonard retired in their late 40s. Foreman retired at 50. Bernard Hopkins is 47 and still fighting, as is Holyfield and Roy Jones Jr. Why is it okay for the men to keep fighting, but when the women want to do it, it’s not okay? An FYI: Christy and I are younger than those men!”
Facing the haters and the “controversy” over this matchup, the bombshell further declares, “To the naysayers protesting to the WBC about my title fight with Christy Martin, save your breath! Christy did not lose her title in the 154 division. I have 59 pro fights, she has 58. We’re the same age, we both held WBC titles. There is no reason why we shouldn’t fight. Your complaints fall on ‘deaf ears’ because in boxing, you’re not relevant. I bet you’re seething right now because 15 years later you still can’t get rid of me. I’ll expect to see you June 19 at Table Mountain Casino. I’ll get you a front row ticket!”
Spunky and spirited? You bet she is. Strong-willed? You know it.
Mia didn’t achieve her fame by taking no for an answer. The feisty brunette will fight for what she believes in. Damn the critics.
Her comadre Claudia Ollis backs her up 101%. Ollis, proprietor of Bad Chick Inc., has also had to fight to get where she is. The two have joined forces to push for the pinnacle in the sport. And this June 19 fight will surely be a bittersweet one for Mia, who recently suffered the passing of her beloved mother, Maria Rosales.
“We’ve been trying so hard to get this made. We had hoped so badly to get it made last year before her mother passed,” Claudia tells me. “We knew she was ill and wanted her to see Mia have her last fight. Unfortunately, we were not able to make it happen last year. But Mia knows her mother is still with her and will be her ‘angel’ in the ring come June 19th!”
Team St. John is looking forward to this fistic feud versus Team Martin.
“We are grateful for Roy Englebrecht Promotions for putting it together; we are so excited!” Claudia shares. “We are very happy to be able to have such a great group of strong women be part of this long awaited rematch. As the boxing world knows I have been very active trying to mainstream the sport here in the U.S. Never underestimate the power of women!”
The power will be put to the test as Mia St. John and Christy Martin will soon trade leather.
MAY THE BEST WOMAN WIN.
Tickets on sale May 7: www.tmcasino.com
Photo by Michele Chong