Alicia Ashley: “Jamaican
Sunshine” all smiles in Paradise
by David Pambianchi
February 1, 2008
On January 31, 2008, Paradise Theatre in the
Bronx, Alicia “Slick” Ashley faced Brooke “No Mercy” Dierdorff for a
scheduled 8 rounds and the NABF Bantamweight Title.
Former dancer with scholarships to Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham dance
schools, Alicia carries ballroom elegance into the ring. A southpaw coupled
with an unusual style, hands often down, Alicia still managed to dodge
Karen’s punches for the first two rounds through a fluid body movement that
kept her opponent off balance.
Brooke, a younger fighter of 26, still comes with some tough fighting
experience and a lot of heart. But the veteran bloodied her nose in the
third round and started to step up the pace. Progressively, Alicia scored
higher in the fourth, then slipped in notable hard lefts in the fifth and
sixth. Whenever Karen fired back with a flurry, Alicia returned with her own
combinations more accurate and connected.
During the final two rounds, a valiant, but frustrated Brooke would rush in
attempting to capitalize on her adversary’s openings, only to walk into a
solid left, and then discover that Alicia had disappeared. Hands up now,
Alicia scored heavily with right hooks and lefts. Karen held tough and
fought back, however, still unable to do any serious damage.
As Star Boxing Public Relation’s Queen Rachel Charles notes, “Getting Old is
Not for Sissies.” While 40 might be a middle age reminder to some, one
determined competitor not only feels, but glows young and vibrant. Almost to
the day of her 8th year in Professional boxing, smooth, smart, educated and
savvy, Alicia showed little sign of slowing down and captured the NABF
Bantamweight title.
