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Alicia Ashley
In the Green Room
By Amy Greene
March 21, 2005
©Provided by
BoxingInLasvegas.com |
(MAR 21) Alicia “Slick” Ashley
(10-5-1) travels to Laughlin, Nevada to face challenger Elena “Baby
Doll” Reid, (16-1-5) in the second fight of the all women’s
series “A Ring of Their Own.” Born in Jamaica, 37 year old Alicia grew
up in Brooklyn and now resides in Westbury, Long Island New York. Her
amateur
background is nothing short of awesome—New York City Golden Gloves
Champion in 1996, 1997, 1998, and USA Boxing National Amateur Gold
Medallist in 1997
and 1998. Turning professional in 1999, Alicia has faced many of the top
contenders in her career, and now looks forward to her main event
meeting with Reid, who is undefeated in 20 fights.
AG: after exactly one year off, you’re returning against the #3 ranked
bantamweight, Elena Reid. And you’re the #3 ranked super bantam.
ALICIA ASHLEY: I didn’t take a year off. I had fights that fell through
at the last minute, in June, October and February. But I have trained
the entire time. I don’t consider it as time off at all.
AG: you and Reid are both southpaws—that sometimes presents an awkward
fight.
ALICIA AHSLEY: I don’t think so…most of
the time I don’t notice it. It will become as natural as if two orthodox
were fighting. It would only be awkward if it were an orthodox and a
southpaw. I don’ t think it will be awkward at all.
AG: your highly successful amateur background gives you a big advantage
a lot of girls don’t get, is that true?
ALICIA ASHLEY: definitely I think
everyone needs to go through the experience of an amateur career. I’ve
been watching the experience level now of the amateur fighters, and they
are very serious in their training. The caliber of amateur fighters now
is so much greater than when I started. And trainers are willing to
train women at this time.
AG: how did you get the knick name “Slick?”
ALICIA ASHLEY: because it’s hard to hit me. And that’s because of my
dance background… I move a lot. I have more of a boxing than a brawling
style.
AG: what have you got in your arsenal for the younger, smaller, Elena
Reid?
ALICIA ASHLEY: I think the one thing is I
do move a lot. I don’t think she’s met anyone that moves like I do…that
will be very new to her. I do think they’ve underestimated me. Even
though my record is not as impressive as
hers, I’ve been in with championship caliber fighters--- Laura Serrano,
Kelsey Jeffries. Chevelle Hallback. Layla McCarter. I’ve fought more
champion caliber fighters than she has. And I’ve won two titles, the
IEBF feather,
which I relinquished and am currently the IWBF super bantam champ. Every
one of the fighters I’ve fought have had winning records. Also the fact
of the matter is I always go into hostile territory, and you have to
work a little more when you’re not in a comfortable environment.
AG: Hector Roca has been your trainer since your pro debut. ALICIA
ASHLEY: my entire pro career. He’s the best!
When Alicia is not occupied with training and fighting, her career as a
paralegal in a Manhattan law firm keeps her busy, and this former
professional dancer has a film debut scheduled for this summer called
“Strangers With Candy,” which is based on a former show on the Comedy
Central channel.
Alicia is excited about “A Ring of Their Own,” and has nothing but
praise for the series. “It’s really about time! It’s so much more
exciting watching the women than
it has been watching the guys in a long time. I saw the first fight
televised here in New York, and the one thing I really loved was Rock
and Sock put together good caliber fighters. The fighters were so close
in experience you just didn’t know who’d win. On men’s cards you have
such blowouts between the women, it’s not good to watch. The first
fights were all great. And that’s definitely what we need.”
As far as the fight on the 26th, Alicia continued to express her
enthusiasm about the series: “I think it’s gonna be a wonderful fight
with lots of excitement! I want to thank Rock & Sock, Arnie, Wanda and
everyone for thinking of me, and for putting this promotion together!”
Elena Reid and Alicia Ashley will battle it out for eight rounds in the
main event on March 26, at Harrah’s in Laughlin, Nevada.
Comments? agreen@sirinet.net
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