Interview with Sandy Tsagouris
Published January 7, 2009 by Martin Bean
Boxing Capital is delighted to feature Sandy Tsagouris a.k.a. ‘Lil Tyson’ in our first (of many) interview with a female professional boxer. Quite simply, we could not have picked a better character—Sandy is a talented fighter, kind person and a boxer we think is really going places; already she is the NABA Featherweight Champion.
For those of you not familiar with the women’s boxing game and Sandy in particular, lets give you some background. Sandy was born and raised in a Greek home located in Toronto, Canada. I couldn’t help but wonder how Sandy got into boxing 11 years ago—after all, women's boxing didn't receive the coverage and recognition it gets today 11 years ago. We’ll leave Sandy to explain that one…..
“I was about 16 and in high school when a local boxing club hosted a demonstration boxing session for our gym class—right from the get go I was stoked! During the class they took us through a typical boxer’s workout. When finally it came to focus pads, of course I was nervous. Thinking I was going to miss the pads and hit the coach… ….then I heard “nice right hand!” well of course being an athlete, I had to try it (boxing) for real. I went straight to the gym within the next couple of days to join the club with a few of my friends. But, but by the end of the month I was on my own. My friends had given up."
So Sandy’s perseverance in the sport of boxing has clearly paid off—a successful amateur career soon followed with Sandy becoming a Provincial Champion and compiling a hugely impressive 23-2 record. Illness meant that Sandy couldn’t enter the Canadian National Championships so it was at that point this talented boxer decided to make a leap into the professional ranks. Here follows our chat with Sandy:
BOXING CAPITAL: Did you find it hard being one of the only women in a boxing gym when first starting out?
SANDY TSAGOURIS: Well , not really actually. Because I picked up on the sport so quickly I made friends easily and boxers were always happy to help me out, show me new things, even spar with me. It was great. I quickly became the baby girl of the gym.
BC: With Canada being a cold country at times (a friend of mine recently commented on it being -25c!) do you find it hard motivating yourself to get out and do your road work?
ST: Yes, it does get to -25c… even colder at times! I am definitely most responsive when there is nicer weather so it is hardeto motivate myself at times… but it's the small sacrifices like this that make champions!
BC: As a pro, you've won the Canadian Featherweight Title and compiled an impressive 9-1 record. What has been your best moment in boxing so far?
ST: My favourite moment in boxing so far, I would have to say is winning the Canadian Title. I get such a proud feeling for being the First Ever Female Canadian Champion. I'm grateful that Stele Promotions who gave me the opportunity to start something, hopefully very big for female boxers in Canada. I can't believe that one day I might be in a history text book. Heck… my grandchildren, many… many years from now may read about me!
BC: Your only defeat was a WBC Title Challenge against Ina Menzer in Germany. How has that fight shaped your preparations for future fights?
ST: My loss to Ina Menzer was really no loss at all! Actually Jimmy Burchfield the promoter of Classic Entertainment Sports was there with one of his fighters, Matt Godfrey and saw my fight and were impressed. Needless to say I have just signed a contract with them. So I'm sure you will see me fighting again for another world title. I must say that although Menzer is a great fighter I believe I fought a great fight and I realized what I am capable of as a fighter. That fight hasn't shaped my training in any different way… but I am thankful that the hard work that Billy Martin (Sandy’s coach) and I put in on a daily basis was displayed on one of boxing’s world stages. It was an honour to fight for the WBC and WIBF Titles.
BC: What's next for Sandy - when are you boxing next?
ST: Well, what's next for me is a vacation and a chance to escape the -25c! My next fight will be through my new Promoter Jimmy Burchfield with CES and my coach/manager Billy Martin. Lookout on their website CESBoxing.com and mine sandytsagouris.com for news on my upcoming fights.
BC: Are you pleased with the way women's boxing is progressing and do you think it should be included in the Olympic Games?
ST: I am very pleased with the way women’s boxing is coming along. It's women like Christy Martin and Anne Wolfe that have widened boxing fan's eyes and have proven that women are just as good as men. It would be great to see women in the Olympics because there really is no legitimate reason why female boxing hasn't been recognized by the Olympics.
BC: Did you enjoy the recent Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar De La Hoya fight?
ST: I can't say that I enjoyed watching De La Hoya lose because he is my favourite fighter along with Mike Tyson. It was a very clean fight, no head butts, no dirty fighting etc. For this reason I think it was a good fight for boxing in general. They both came to fight. Boxing needs more fights like this.
BC: Who are your favourite fighters in the sport today?
ST: At the moment my favourite fighter is De La Hoya but my favourite fighter of all time is Mike Tyson—they are both warriors!
BC: Finally on a lighter note), it has to be said you are one of the world's most attractive female fighters, do you have any modelling plans? I’m sure all our male viewers will be wondering!
ST: Thank you very much for the compliment, but to answer your question, first and foremost I'm focused on leaving my mark in boxing but would love if boxing could open new doors in business for women as it does for men.
BC: We thank Sandy for taking the time to talk to us and wish her all the best for the remainder of her career. We will be watching her progress closely and you can keep checking back at Boxing Capital for coverage of her future contests.
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