Naidra Walls was just searching for a gym where she could get in shape when the Western Michigan University student stumbled upon a June 20 newspaper article.
The story, featuring local amateur boxer Stacy Harrington and Curtis Isaac's Eastside Boxing Club, piqued her interest, and she went to check it out.
Three months later, a confident Walls is set to make her amateur debut in Isaac's ``Night at the Fights'' at Chenery Gymnasium on Saturday night.
``I'm not nervous, but I'm interested to see what's going to happen,'' Walls said. ``I'm going to win, of course. I've been working really hard, so I'm confident that I'm going to win.''
When she first showed up Isaac wasn't sure she'd make it. Now, he says she is a monster in the ring.
``I think Naidra is going to display something that Kalamazoo has never seen in a woman boxer,'' Isaac said. ``There is a lot of stereotypes about women boxing, and this young lady is going to put all that to rest. She reminds me of a female version of Sugar Ray Leonard.''
At WMU, Walls is a junior majoring in paper engineering, is part of four student organizations and is working two jobs on campus.
She is a member of the National Society for Black Engineers, Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity, Zeta Phi Beta sorority and is a founding member of Sisters Tailored with Altruism, Resilience and Zeal.
And yet, she finds time to come to the boxing club to train and work out almost every day at 7 p.m.
``What keeps me here is the workout is so hard and so strenuous and you want to quit at first,'' Walls said. ``It makes you stronger as a person and it helps me in real life situations. ... I could switch my major 'cause engineering is hard and I've been working at it for a really long time, and it seems like I'm getting nowhere.
``But it's the same with boxing 'cause you work and seem like you're not improving, but you realize after the first time you spar you finally get it and keep going at it. That's kind of how I parallel the two.''
More than anything, she loves the patience of the sport and the emphasis on perseverance.
The Detroit native and 2004 Cass Tech High School graduate will be fighting in the 106-112-pound weight class and will face a fighter from the Bay City Boxing Team.
Isaac's boxing club has pushed Walls well past her initial goal of getting in shape, and it has also worked out well for Andrea Ehlert.
A Portage police officer who recently had her gall bladder removed, Ehlert has been out of work for two months. She has been using the Eastside Boxing Club to recover her strength.
``The training aspect is very physical, and it gives me confidence in my work,'' Ehlert said. ``I get tons of endurance here as well as fighting skills.''
Isaac describes Ehlert as an inspiration after only being part of the club for six weeks.
``This young lady is an inspiration not only to the police force but to young women,'' Isaac said. ``She's tough and just because she's a woman I don't take it easy on her. Her goal is to win the 2008 woman Golden Gloves and I think she will.''
She used to fight when she lived in Grand Rapids and is looking to participate in the next ``Night at the Fights'' on Sept. 22.
``It's a privilege to coach these young ladies,'' Isaac said. ``I like it better than coaching the men. They give more, there's no complaining and they're here everyday on time. It's a real pleasure.''
This article was provided by: Kalamazoo Gazette
Written by: Jason Barczy
