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Most boxing fans would like "world" titles to mean more than just the
"world" name on a belt. But few of the top boxers in the USA or Europe
have truly traveled to fight far from home, so genuine "world" competition has
been rare. In this October 1999 interview, Australian welterweight champion
boxer and kickboxer Sharon Anyos told Dee Williams
what motivated
her to travel all the way around the world to fight Jane Couch in England later that month!
Dee:
Sharon, you may set the record for distance traveled for a
women's title bout ... do you see any problems with fighting after
such a long trip?
Sharon:
It is definitely going to be an exciting journey, and a long
awaited one. It has been five years since I have been promised a World Title
shot in Kickboxing by traveling to Japan or the U.S.A. Neither of them came off,
thank you to my supposed opponents. Therefore this fight is going to let me make my mark on
International fighting. I am staying very positive about traveling and I am
looking forward to being in the U.K. I don't see any real problems with the
travel, as I am focused on what I have to do prior to and once I get there.
Dee:
Will you do any special things to prepare for fighting so far from home?
Sharon:
I'm sorry, Dee, but all that will stay under
wraps for now! Although I will say Aussie Joe Bugner has been a great asset
to helping get set in the right direction for overseas competition.
Dee:
What makes you want the title so much that you'll fly all
around the world to fight for it?
Sharon:
It has been my dream to be a World Champion for over ten years now, however I
have always had opponents pull out at the last minute. This match was
originally set for October 14th at Welterweight Division. However I was
advised that my opponent had an issue with the amount of fights I had had
prior to a World Title Fight, therefore it was postponed until I had a couple
more fights under my belt. This was a hard blow as for over ten years in
Australia I have been trying to fight however there is not the quality of
opponents here and the ones I do fight do not come running back for a second
chance.
Dee: Is it tough to get the competitive
matches and build your skills and experience in Australia?
Sharon:
It makes it really difficult to have a fight record of numerous
fights. However I have had eleven Kickboxing fights. On October 5th I was advised
the fight was going ahead on October 31st but it was now to be
Lightweight not Welterweight, which has only given me three and a half weeks to
lose ten pounds. But, hey ... "a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!"
Dee: You've competed in kickboxing, Muay Thai, karate and now regular boxing.
Which do you find most challenging?
Sharon: From all the competitions I have competed in inclusive of Kickboxing - Muay
Thai - Karate and Boxing, I would say they are all challenging because each one
lead a path to where I stand today. So in their time they have each been
challenging and I have learnt so much from each one.
Dee: Which do you prefer?
Sharon: I think boxing is my preferred.
Dee:
Will you stay with one sport from now on, or do you plan still to compete in
them all?
Sharon:
It depends what I'm offered as to what I'll do. I'm not one
to close any doors. I like to keep my options open.
Dee: How do male boxers in Australia respond to women stepping into the
ring?
Sharon: As long as the women can fight and train with the same dedication,
then they are respected for what they do. I would have to say on a personal note I do
not agree with men and women competing against each other.
I don't believe it is doing any
justice for promoting women's boxing today.
Dee: Is there someone who's been your mentor, or a role model?
Sharon:
I have had a few role models in my career starting with my father/trainer,
Les. He is an inspiration to everything I do and we are well regarded as the
"Twins" we train, teach and socialize together. Ian Jacobs, the World
Middleweight Kickboxing/Muay Thai Champion has done so much to inspire me in
any avenue of training. Also Julian Holland, Australian Undefeated
Welterweight Boxing Champion, and Kostya Tszyu of course. These are all
brilliant men at what they do and their dedication. I would also have to say
my Mum, Beryl. She taught me from a very early age that a strong woman can
make anything of her life in a Man's World.
Dee: Who are the boxers you most admire, or enjoy watching?
Sharon: I'd have to say all good fighters, because it
takes a lot of dedication and hard work to be a good fighter and we can all
learn from each other. The likes of De La Hoya, Holyfield, Lewis are just
outstanding and I hope to be able to be on one of their cards in the near
future.
Dee: Do you have any plans to fight in the U.S.A.?
Sharon: There are currently negotiations in the wind with U.S.A. but
nothing's concrete yet.
Dee:
Thanks for taking time out from training to talk to us, Sharon.
Sharon:
I really appreciate you giving me the time for this interview and I
thank all my supporters who have looked after me in the past. "Wildthing"
cannot wait to land in foreign turf to fight it out!
Other Sharon Anyos links
Page last updated: Wednesday, April 7, 2004 |
