Interviews

Tanya poses next to the posters of her two female boxing idols:

Laila Ali and Mia St. John

Well, here we go fans, with another glimpse of

a fighter in our DWBL Championship

Tournament. This time, your travelling sports

report, Gayle McGregor is out in sunny

California, home of the stars, to meet with just

such a star....Tanya "The Body" Danielle.

Hopefully, you'll enjoy the opportunity to learn

more about this talented young woman,

as I did during the interview. Tanya came

steaming into her training site, after a four-mile

run, not even out of breathe.

Gayle: Whoa, Tanya, don't run away! I just

want to interview you for the DWBL fans.

First, do you have any diet, or exercise

suggestions that might help us achieve a

knockout body like yours?

Tanya: Well, you've already seen one of my

recommendations, running. I've been

running daily since I was in high school and

credit that with helping me tremendously in

keeping me fit. Running is fantastic because

you can go virtually any time, anywhere to

gain its benefits for health and fitness. My diet

is shameful by most fitness standards since I eat

whatever I like. Honestly though, I feel that a

voracious appetite and satisfied cravings are

key to having an enthusiastic spirit and

competitive edge. Deprivation can be very

self-defeating.

Gayle: That is an interesting theory, no wonder I never feel self-defeated! Oops, better not go there.

You've already scheduled your first tournament competition in the DWBL against Moira Mac Leod, what are your feelings

about this contest?

Tanya: This will be a battle that I am ready for. I've been training harder than ever and I am ready to face

anyone in the ring.

Gayle: Do you have any professional women boxers who you might like to emulate?

Tanya: Laila Ali and Mia St. John are two fine role models for professional women boxers. I hope one day to box for a

world title in Madison Square Garden.

Gayle: That is certainly a challenge and noble aspiration for your boxing future. Are you a native of California?

Tanya: Yes, I was born in a town called Atherton which is about 40-miles south of San Francisco in northern California.

Gayle: What is a typical boxing workout for you in preparation for a ring contest?

Tanya: A morning run of 3 or 4-miles followed by an afternoon workout at the gym with my trainer Frank Trigg.

My sparring sessions with Frank Trigg and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. are really working wonders in making me a better boxer.

Gayle: What other personal interests do you pursue when you are not in training for a boxing match?

Tanya: I enjoy wrestling, reading, writing, scrabble, watching the NFL and my adopted soccer team, Everton,

play on television.

Gayle: That is a varied and wide-ranging field of interests. In relationships, particularly with those of the male gender, how

do men react when they learn that you are professional pugilist?

Tanya: The timid ones shy away immediately.

Gayle: Who do you consider your biggest fan, and why?

Tanya: My sponsor, Chairman Andy of the WTBA, is my most ardent supporter. He has always had faith in my abilities ?

even when I was struggling. Now I am 11-0 in the WTBA and getting stronger all he time thanks to my sparring and training

sessions under the guidance of Frank Trigg and Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Gayle: What led to your present involvement in professional boxing?

Tanya: Chairman Andy encouraged me to take the big step from sparring in the gym for fitness to actually stepping into

the ring for my first real fight against Crystal White which I won by TKO in the sixth round.

Gayle: Does the thought of personal injury or disfigurement in this sport worry you?

Tanya: No not at all. I'll risk anything to win, plus you very rarely see cuts in women's boxing. Why worry?

LA has an abundance of top plastic surgeons. (Laughs)

Gayle: What would you say is your major passion, outside of boxing?

Tanya: I have a great zeal for both writing and dancing as they are both very important forms of self-expression for me.

Plus, Andy has gotten me hooked on everything Everton, Come on you Blues!?

Gayle: Using this forum, what would you like your fans to know about you?

Tanya: My passion for boxing is enormous, so I really hope to see more involvement of women in the sport for years to

come. Girls like Laila Ali and Mia St. John are helping make that happen. Mia is pretty and under-rated as a fighter.

She knows how to promote interest in women's boxing and as I've mentioned previously is a role-model for me in this

fascinating sport.

Gayle: It has been my pleasure to meet you, Tanya. Good luck in your forthcoming competition within the DWBL. I'm sure

you'll win over a lot of fans with your determination and ring skills, keep punching. I'll see you at the fights.

I am not going to let the newest fighter to the DWBL

Championship tournament even get a chance to

unpack her bags, and settle into the league, before

I get her for an interview. Jenny B. was good enough

to allow me to come to the "City of Brotherly Love"

for this one-on-one interview with someone who

I think if going to be a great addition to the

competition. Jenny was in her workout clothes, after

a very spirited sparring session in the gym boxing ring.

Upon removing her headgear, boxing gloves, and

mouthpiece, we got right into the questions I thought

you, the fans, would like to know about her.

Gayle: Jenny B. I've really got your sweating and the

interview hasn't even started. Would you like to

delay this session until you've had a chance to shower

and change?

Jenny B.: (smiling warmly) Hello Gayle. (extends her

taped hand to shake) You never promised this would

be a ?no sweat? interview, did you?

Gayle: (Laughing) No, you are right. I never make

promises I don't intend to keep. First, let's get one

issue resolved: what is your name? JB, Jenny, Jenny

B. Good , or something else?

Jenny B: Jenny B "Dreamcatcher" Sweet is my name,

but you can call me Jenny or JB! Whichever you prefer!

Jenny trains in the gym

near to her friends and opponents Lisa and Latifah

Gayle: As our newest DWBL competitor for the DWBL Championship, how did you decide to participate in this event?

Jenny B.: As I travelled the fighting circuit, I had heard of this women only boxing league and I knew that I had to become

a part of it as soon as possible. I feel strongly that I am ready to do well in a tough competitive environment such

as this one.

Gayle: Have you had previous amateur experience?

Jenny B.: I've cross trained for three-years using aerobic kickboxing and shadowboxing as training tools.

Now, I am confident that I can apply these skills here in the DWBL while continuing to further my pugilistic skills.

Previously, I wrestled for a few years in small pro-wrestling leagues and federations, nothing big or mainstream, but they

instigated my interest in one-on-one combat. Boxing is now my passion, and career goal, so I'm prepared to give it my all.

Gayle: It's been reported that some of the Philadelphia Boxing Gyms offer some of the toughest boxing sessions in the

world. Many of these training bouts could be a main event contest at any arena in the world.

Have you found this to be true?

Jenny B.: No doubt the City of Philadelphia has a formidable reputation as a fighting center, but I can't say that any of my

sparring sessions were worth paying admission to see. (laughs) However, there have been some sparring sessions I've seen

that were better than main events featured on television fight programs. They have hopefully been good preparations for

my participation in the DWBL .

Gayle: What type of sports background, or other athletics have you participated in before coming to this league?

Jenny B.: In high school I was a serious runner, doing track as well as cross-country. As an avid fitness enthusiast, I go to the

gym to lift weights and do cardio 4-times a week, while I typically running 3-times a week also. That has been my practice

since I was 14-years old. I also played some volleyball in school and continue to do that recreationally now.

Gayle: What do you consider your best fighting talents?

Jenny B.: Stamina and intelligence would be two that I consider my best assets. They are critical in so many areas of life,

not just boxing. The years of endurance running in school have conditioned me well for the demanding sport of boxing.

When you are in a particularly tough match, that extra effort gained from superior endurance separate the winners from

the losers. In boxing that is certainly an asset that I will call upon.

Gayle: What are some of your favorite recreational activities when you are not in training for an upcoming fight?

Jenny B.: Aside from physical conditioning, I enjoy relaxing with a good book. Writing is another thing I love to do, for

example writing poetry. Writing runs a close second in popularity for me to the sport of boxing.

Gayle: Do you have any fighter in mind you might like to challenge for event 12, if so, who is it, and why would you like

that match-up?

Jenny B.: Carrie "The Total Knockout" Smith would be one of my primary choices. She and I have met in many good fun

fights with each other, with some wins ? some losses for each. It would be great to start my boxing career in the DWBL with

a victory over her. Anyway I will fight Lisa Mozzon and I'm glad to make my debut against her.

Gayle: Because of her very active record, and success in the DWBL tournament, the rules for such a challenge at least at

this early stage of your career might not allow you to fight her. You'll have to check that out before you make a formal

challenge. What more would you like to say to your fans through this interview?

Jenny B. ; As one of the newest fighters in this league, I know and expect the competition to succeed will be tough.

I'll have to earn my keep and stay in top shape, giving my all in every fight. But, I want the fans to know that I am happy

to be here. I ask for their support, just as they should support all the fine participants in the league. Hopefully, once they

see my intensity and enthusiasm they will become devoted Jenny B. fans.

Thanks for letting me express myself to them in this

interview, Gayle.

Gayle: Thank you Jenny. You can certainly add my name to your fan club, Good luck in the coming campaigns, and may

you achieve your dreams through this great sport of women's boxing. See you at the fights.

SEEKING POETIC JUSTICE

Now you may be wondering, where has our good sportswriter, Gayle McGregor been partaking of happy hour this time?

Not to worry, I'm just using a little poetic license to introduce a little culture into the misunderstood persona of women

who box. Among the ranks of our contending pugilist I've discovered a valued nugget of literary style in poetic form.

Yes, in the ring, she is poetry in motion, but also at leisure Ms Jenny B. Sweet also exhibits an art form

of literature- writing poems. Such as this one:

The Fighter

She's nervous, she's anxious

Stands with trepidation

Her opponent in sight

Prepare for the fight

Attire adjusted

Poised and set, stomach knotted

Palms moist, pulse climbing

Soon time for fighting

Silence is fading

Body temperature rising

Its now or nothing

As all eyes are staring

Time to commence

Skills put to the test

Desire not waning

The fight is everything...

Gayle: Jenny did you write that poem just for your fans in the DWBL, or is it an earlier expressive creation?

Jenny: It is an earlier work, bout 6 months old or so around when I first started to seriously get into boxing, but one that

could be like a "this is who I am" identity statement for all of the fighters who compete here.

Gayle: How long have you been smitten with this poetic inclination, and what made you take this road of

expressive style?

Jenny: Well, when I was 14 I had a really good English teacher when I was a freshman in high school who saw a creative

spark in me. He encouraged me to pursue it, even teaching me stuff after class. My life was emotional then too, so I had

plenty to write about. Basically, during some of my saddest times came this gift to me that has become a great joy to me.

Gayle: What plans do you have for pursuing this special talent, once the boxing gloves are set aside?

Jenny: Well I am working on gathering up the best of my old material, revising it and such, as well as writing new stuff, in

order to compose a book of my work. I have researched the processes and steps necessary for something like this to

happen, and while I know the road will be tough, it is a road I really have wanted to travel for some time.

I feel this is the time!

Gayle: Jenny it is so nice of you to indulge your gift to brighten an old sportswriter's heart. Could we impose upon you

one more time to render another of your writings?

Jenny: Sure, here is a more sullen and reflective work I wrote in my younger days, called "Uprooted"

Uprooted

Complacency had settled in

Known was I inside my place

Where I had been

Alone, no, for friends that cared

Safety, security, a house I'd made

Destroyed, vanquished withdrawn

Forced was I one shady eve

To flee, to set on a new path indeed

Why was it so?

Broken, my desire to be had gone

For the life I'd led was long

No more, alas, it's gone

As it once was ever again

Can it be done, I think not

Or is that good?

To commence anew, rather than brood

Seek inside, one's renewed truth

Rise up, above thy sorrow

Gayle: On behalf of my readership, and personally, I want to thank you for this fascinating insight you have allowed into

the expressive soul of a warrior and poetic talent. May you be rewarded with continued success in these two pursuits.