It's a few minutes after an exciting five round fight put on by Roxy "Balboa" Richardson and Sheree Halliday, it was close, but not close enough. Seconds before the decision is announced Richardson looks down at photographer Jeff Dojillo and smiles for a picture, she knows she has won the fight. The results come in and it is a split decision victory in Richardson's favor."I was confident that I won the decision against Sheree. I knew I pushed the pace the whole time and pushed Sheree back on the defensive" Richardson said. "Even though Sheree landed an elbow that gave me a small cut on my forehead I was confident I had inflicted the most damage and controlled the fight. Plus my corner told me I had won and I trust them."
In combat sports many of the athletes are looking for a quick knockout, it makes an easy nights work, and impresses the fans, but if that's the way you prepare, you're putting all your eggs in one basket. Richardson comes into the ring prepared to knock out her opponent or go all five rounds. She prepares to be ready for all five rounds by training Muay Thai five days a week as well as high-intensity interval training and strength and conditioning. This is evident by the phenomenal cardio she brings to every fight, you never see her slowing down, she pushes the pace the entire five rounds. If the knockout happens, then it happens, if not that just means her opponent better be prepared for a five round beating.
"I never assume I will get the knock out," Richardson said. "That's an easy way to get yourself knocked out."
Richardson likes to challenge herself, and although she didn't start training with the intent to fight, the time came when she wanted to take on that particular challenge. It's pretty easy to see that it hasn't really been a problem for her. Richardson a side from fighting Muay Thai also runs her own gym, Roxy Fit (www.RoxyFit.com). Unlike most fighters she is prepared 24/7.
"I enjoy exercising, eating healthy and being fit, so I made a life for myself that allows for daily training, even when I'm not fighting." Richardson said. " I generally work hard from 8am-3pm five or six days a week and then train in the afternoon."
If challenging yourself with Muay Thai, and running your own gym isn't enough, Richardson also likes training in Cross Fit, so that she can keep challenging her mind and body in new ways, and follows an outstanding diet which is specific to her metabolic type and is made up of Fresh organic fruits, vegetables, grass fed meats, poultry, wild fish, nuts, seeds and carefully selected vitamins and supplements. She enjoys taking on these challenges head on, but like with any challenge, some parts are more difficult that others.
Richardson will tell you that the nutrition and hard training are easy, the toughest part is the mental game. Many people might think that because you are strong, and fast that it will automatically result in a victory. It's easy to count the number of times that a fighter goes into a fight with every physical advantage and ends up losing, and 99% of the time it's because they weren't mentally ready.
"Mentally preparing for tougher and tougher fights has been a personal journey that requires looking at my own fears and doubts, stepping through them with courage and becoming stronger for it in the end." Richardson said. "For me that is what attracts me to fighting, the personal reward that comes from an internal victory."
Mental preparation is key, no just in Muay Thai but any sport. If you can't handle the pressure then you are going to buckle, and in Muay Thai, that will usually result being on the bad end of a knee, kick, elbow, or punch. Richardson however, continues to conquer not only the physical aspect of Muay Thai, but the mental part as well.
When asked who she would like to fight, Richardson responded with two names, Angela Parr or Julie Kitchen. Those were two of the fighters she has been looking up to since she started training, and it would be an honor for her to fight them. If she ever gets the opportunity to fight either fighter, it's pretty safe to say that she is going to be physically and mentally ready, which is bad news for Parr or Kitchen.
So what about the people that don't think women belong in combat sports? Obviously those people haven't seen Richardson fight. Women come to fight just as hard as any male fighter out there.
"I think that gender should not dictate profession." Richardson said. " I was raised by a single mother who taught me I could do anything I set my mind to."
It's obvious Richardson has listened to her mom, she took on the challenge of becoming a Muay Thai fighter and has passed it with flying colors.
The nickname "Balboa" suits her. She was given the name by her teammates at the Muay Thai Academy, which was the first place she trained. Although she was from Philadelphia she hadn't seen any of the Rocky movies (she is all caught up now), like Rocky, she takes every challenge head on, and doesn't back down.
It's noting but positive vibes for Richardson, and when asked what advice she could give aspiring female Muay Thai fighters she responded.
"If you love it, keep at it. Work hard in the gym and put your name out there. It's not easy to book fights, so you have to push hard to make yourself known, but if it is truly your passion it is well worth it"
There isn't any asking why, or saying no for Richardson, instead it's all about how, and it seems she's been able to come up with the solution for pretty much everything she has tried.
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