Graham moves from fistfights to woman boxing champ
S JTAR Writer asmine Graham grew up as a delinquent and a victim of bullying, but stands today as the only registered woman boxing trainer in Jamaica.
The 25-year-old has used her tough upbringing to elevate herself in boxing, as she is the American Boxing Confederation’s (AMBC) women’s heavyweight champion of the Caribbean; and having overcome her childhood trauma and with a steely resolve, is working on furthering her achievement in the sport.
“When I step in the ring, I know that there is just one bull in this pen, and I have to be it,” the confident Graham said.
“As early as age eight, I was aggressive. Most of the time, mainly the boys would pick on me, so I would retaliate to defend myself. I was being bullied and it made me feel stressed, and I wouldn’t want to go to school, because I knew I would be picked on. The teachers weren’t taking it seriously, so I had to take matters into my own hands.
“I would get into fights every day of the week. Sometimes two or more times per day. If my mother came and beat me in front of the people whom I fought with, I would tell them, ‘Wait till I hold you after school’.
“Of course, I got them because I was ashamed of being reprimanded in front of them. I got angrier because sometimes I was not at fault, but the damage I created was bad,” she added.
Graham’s fistfight skills became an asset with her introduction to boxing at 11 years old when she was spotted by her principal, who was impressed after seeing her defending her brother in a fight with an older boy.
The principal, after making the recommendation to her mother, called in coach Job Walters, a former boxer, who trained his son, former WBA world featherweight champion Nicholas ‘Axe Man’ Walters at the professional level.
“I started training and was impressed with the boxing techniques. The school gave me an ultimatum, complete my schoolwork and have boxing as an extracurricular activity, or fight and have it taken away from me. I was open to change, and learning never ceased, especially for boxing,” she added.
It transformed her behaviour and at 15 years old, she participated in national boxing competitions under the guidance of coach Harris, owner of Heavy Metal Gym in St Ann.
“Boxing made me develop my self-esteem. I loved myself more, and I became more respectful to my elders. I worked my way up, and I am looking to expand boxing in the western region,” Graham said.