Fighter Training for 2014 Comeback
Fighter Mia St. John returned to her roots when she attended the “Golden Boy Live!” show that took place Friday, December 13 at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. I caught up with the boxer known as “The Knockout” who had recently announced her retirement from the ring.
But guess what, folks? The brunette bombshell is “unretiring” once again. She is now training with Coachella champ Antonio Diaz at the Indio Boys & Girls Club. Antonio and his brothers Joel, Julio and “Shaggy” have long cemented their boxing legacy in this region and beyond.
And both “Toño” Diaz and Mia St. John were there in person at Friday’s fights that featured Josesito Lopez vs. Mike Arnaoutis in the main event. Diaz fought numerous times at the Fantasy Springs venue, with his last bout taking place there in 2011. While talking with the puncher who had 30 knockouts in his career, he described what it was like back then when the fights were held outdoors. “It used to be a lot different here,” he recalled with a chuckle. “One time I fought and it was so windy outside!”
And St. John told me her professional debut was at this very same desert mecca back in 1997.
“I made my pro debut here 17 years ago with Goossen Tutor,” she told me during a break between bouts. “I would love to end my career fighting at Fantasy Springs–it would be the perfect ending to my career!”
She bought a house in Palm Springs and is serious about training with Team Diaz. Antonio says she’s a hard worker and fits in well with the stable in Indio.
During her career, she earned 47 victories and in 2012 won the WBC Female Light Middleweight title against her longtime rival Christy Martin before being defeated by Tiffany Junot and then Cecilia Braekhus in April of this year.
St. John hopes to lace up again very soon.
“I’m fighting next year,” Mia confirmed, “and debating on a couple of different venues.”
Judging from the crowd’s reaction to her, the fans would come out in droves to see her fight live at Fantasy Springs. While at the fights, she greeted the Tribal Chairman and met with many fans in the stands. The SoCal champ was happy to return to her roots where she made her pro debut. She loves the area and we chatted about the strong boxing community in the desert region. The landscape is dotted with many boxing gyms and some of the toughest fighters come from the Coachella Valley.
She was at Fantasy Springs to support the Diaz family and Golden Boy Promotions. Joel Diaz was in the corner of Diego De La Hoya who got a first-round KO in his bout.
Mia says she is appreciative of Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy for all their contributions in donating memorabilia to her charity, The Mia St. John “El Saber es Poder” Foundation. The fighter and mental health advocate just hosted her annual “A Night With Champions” event honoring Sugar Ray Leonard. The fundraising gala showcased a reunion between Ray and former nemesis Tommy Hearns. The live auction also featured autographed boxing gloves donated by Golden Boy and signed by Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Bernard Hopkins, Austin Trout, Jean Pascal and Ricky Hatton, with all the proceeds going to her nonprofit.
“Golden Boy donated all the gloves that night,” Mia mentioned, “and they also donated to every fundraiser before.”
Sitting ringside, St. John said she had a great time at this “Golden Boy Live!” card at Fantasy Springs. Back in 1997, Mia entered the pro ranks with her round one KO of Angelica Villian. Training hard in Indio, look for “The Knockout” to put her new plan in motion soon. This champion’s passion for pugilism remains and still can’t be quenched, thus her newest comeback scheduled for 2014.
While her critics will cry foul at the news of her return, Mia has never been stopped by the naysayers.
One of her favorite things she tells the kids she helps through her nonprofit organization is: “You get knocked down…And you get back up!'”
So look for Mia St. John as she embarks on her next chapter in boxing soon.