Category: Uncategorized

Photo credit: Denise Meltzer

Coach: @kjem (Kristina Ejem) with TEEN GJWB CLASS

ed·u·ca·tion (ĕj′ə-kā′shən)⁠
n.⁠
1. The act or process of educating or being educated. 2. The knowledge or skill obtained or developed by a learning process.⁠
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TO BE EDUCATED IN THE SPORT OF BOXING:⁠
It is one thing to think you know the physical sport.⁠ It is another to understand ALL aspects of the sport from a competitive, business, and/or even developmental lens. Boxing has so many layers and is just as much mental as it is physical – hence the name sweet science.
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GJWB’s mandate from the beginning has been to teach girls and women of all ages the REAL sport of boxing, and you know we will always bring the FUN! ⁠
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The better we understand the sport AND the business- the better your boxing journey will be. ⁠
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Education and understanding the roles in boxing and where it can grow for us is the driving force to empowering women within the sport. Coach Kristina didn’t have anyone inviting her to the table so she jumped into as many roles in boxing over the years as possible and created a table of her own. We know there are many of you all over the world doing the same – so it’s time to assemble our collective.
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#TEAMGJWB You need to see one to be one.
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Coaches & GJWB partners Kristina and Helene were tired of the old adage ‘shrink it and pink it’ for women’s gear. So they created the GJWB line of gear to fit women properly because boxing and most sports seem to forget we aren’t just small men. Article linked HERE.
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Our longevity in the sport depends on women being able to #protecthepretty with functional gear and YES we have added the fashion to it so we can be cute while kicking-A$$. ⁠

men·tor (mĕn′tôr′, -tər)⁠
n.⁠
1. A wise and trusted counselor or teacher.

2. Mentor Greek Mythology Odysseus’s trusted counsellor, in whose guise Athena became the guardian and teacher of Telemachus. To serve as a trusted counselor or teacher, especially in occupational settings. V.tr. To serve as a trusted counselor or teacher to (another person).⁠
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GJWB boxing mentorship is necessary but so is sponsorship and opportunity. As an amateur fighter, professional fighter, coach, official or in any role it is important that we have someone to ask questions and get advice from. These mentors and sponsors need to be male and female representatives from all corners of the sport.⁠
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TEAM GJWB will consist of a global group of ambassadors and mentors.

If you have any questions for us or our mentors, please ask away in the comments below. 👇

am·a·teur (aməCHər)⁠
n.
1. a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid rather than a professional basis.⁠
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box·er (bŏk′sər)⁠
n.⁠
1. Sports One who fights with the fists as a sport.⁠

At GJWB becoming a boxer begins with the FUNdamentals and the foundations of amateur boxing.

The first steps on your journey to boxing for REAL may begin with: a club show, tournament, or corporate charity event. From there, an amateur boxer would work towards participating in boxing at the collegiate level, the Provincial, State or National Team, Olympics games, Pan American Games, Commonwealth games, and within another association.

Did you know: an athlete is not legally allowed to spar unless licensed by the governing body and has taken a specific medical to show that you are fit to take punches which will happen when in a ring? WHY? You don’t play boxing.

FUN FACT: Women’s boxing first appeared in the Olympic Games at a demonstration bout in 1904. Fast forward women’s boxing ONLY became an Olympic sport in the 2012 London Olympics.

There are 11 amateur female fight weight classes from: light flyweight (up to 106lbs) to super heavyweight (201+ lbs). The Olympics currently have 5 female weight classes and is set to add 1 more to make it 6 for 2024.

The amazing thing about boxing is there is a weight class for everyone at any size! Being able to fight at any weight – now that’s inclusivity!

If you’re looking to reach a certain fight weight, check out our other blog post here!

Female Ring Announcer & TEAM GJWB member: Yvette Raposo

an·nounc·HER (ə-noun′sər)⁠
n.⁠
One that announces, especially a person who introduces programs, reads announcements, or provides commentary on television or radio.⁠
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Women in the boxing media, commentating, and announcing world seem to be few and far between to the general public, but they are there and HAVE BEEN THERE working hard in the boxing game. ⁠
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TEAM GJWB will be shining a light on them all.
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The future where ‘all female cards’ exist that include female referees, commentators, and announcers is on the horizon.⁠
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This future is bright and is the only one we are here for. Oh yeah and equitable pay….that too!⁠
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The female voice in boxing is getting louder and GJWB will be the megaphone for it. ⁠
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Who is your favourite female voice in boxing?

Official: Lee Smith (TEAM GJWB member) Photo credit: Boxing Ontario

Boxing official: The third (WO)man in the ring. ⁠
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The role of the official or referee is to give instructions to each boxer and determine:⁠
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+when to start/stop a count when a fighter is down⁠
+ when a foul/warning/or points should be taken away⁠
+ signal when the round is over⁠
+ if the fight needs to be stopped due to a fighters health and call a TKO⁠
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An official is definitely not always appreciated but they play a starring role in the drama of the match and most importantly the safety of the boxers. ⁠
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Did you know that taking an official course can help to learn exactly how points are given, taken away and what the judges are looking for? We recommend all athletes and coaches take the course. For anyone in Ontario – Boxing Ontario courses can be found HERE.

Cut (Wo)Man: The third (WO)man outside the ring. ⁠
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Responsible for preventing and treating physical damage to a fighter during the breaks between rounds. You can take a cut course HERE with Boxing Ontario, coaches Helene & Kristina have their Level 1 certification and look forward to getting their Level 2.⁠
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This may be the most underrepresented role for women. It may not be the job for everyone especially if you are squeamish, but it is definitely one of the most important to a fighter while in the ring in order to helping them #protecthepretty literally. ⁠
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Education and representation matters. ⁠
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Did you ever thinking about taking either of these courses? Will you now?!

Carolyn Redmond (TEAM GJWB member) vs Gisela Noemi Luna Photo credit: Jeff Lockhart

n.

Professional boxing – boxing for money
Boxing, pugilism, fisticuffs – fighting with the fists

Professional boxing (or prizefighting) bouts are fought for a purse that is divided between the boxers as determined by a contract. Most professional bouts are supervised by a regulatory authority to guarantee the fighters’ safety. Most high-profile bouts obtain the endorsement of a sanctioning body, which awards championship belts, establishes rules, and assigns its own judges and referees.⁠
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There are 17 female professional weight categories from Light minimum weight (102lbs) to Heavyweight (200+lbs). ⁠
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The pay disparity is real just like in most professional sports for women, BUT when we stand together for change by supporting females in the sport at all levels, things will change, it has too. As the saying goes…divided we fall united we stand.⁠
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Coach Kristina fell in love with boxing watching Christy Martin on a Tyson card with her dad back in the early 90s. Seeing her in pink shorts ready to rumble made Kris think ‘I can do that too’. Thank you to all the amazing pro-boxers out there being an inspiration to a new generation. We need to see one to be one. ⁠
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Currently women are still competing in 2 min round formats, but fighting for 3 minutes like their male counterparts. It is just another archaic rule based on gender biases. ⁠
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Give us a 👊👊👊 below if you are ready for 3min professional rounds!⁠