Since the retirements of Laila Ali and Anne Wolfe, female boxing has slowly faded from public consciousness and even the radar of most boxing fans. California resident and Top 10 ranked pugilist Kaliesha West (12-1-2, 3 KOs) is on a mission to change that.
In roughly two weeks the 22-year-old contender will make a untelevised appearance on the undercard of Mosley-Mora against slugger Angel “Non-Stop” Gladney (6-2-1, 5 KOs). Despite her bout not making the air, the contest still serves as the biggest of West’s career, as it is for the WBO bantamweight title. In addition, West will be fighting on a card that includes other rising fighters like “Vicious” Victor Ortiz and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.
Right or wrong, West is aware her fight will serve as a litmus test for the viability of women’s boxing. And it’s a challenge she’s ready to meet head-on not just for herself, but for the many female fighters who’ve been plying their trade in obscurity.
“I want everyone to know that we go in that gym and we train and we sweat. And we put our hearts out there; we get hit just as much as the boys,” she explained earlier this month on Rope A Dope Radio. “Some of us even spar [with] some of the boys and go toe to toe with them. And yet we don’t get the same respect just yet. It’s on the rise though; you’ve got to think positive. I do feel like I’m putting it on the map for all female boxing in general.”
Check out West’s 2008 1st round KO of Elizabeth Cervantes, and a clip her workout regimen.
The Mosley-Mora PPV takes place on September 18.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 