Attending a boxing event here in Toronto is like the Academy Awards for us boxers. You know you're going to run into a mad long list of talented boxers, coaches, referees, judges, managers and promoters. You also know you're going to be mingling with a ton of people connected to the boxing community, like those in the media industry -- photographers and reporters. And then there are the boxing fans and boxer fans that show up too. I admit, I'm a boxing fan but I am also a boxer fan in that I have my favored boxers I respect and admire. But it's pretty cool to say that I have boxer fans too -- fans that favor me, very cool.
I met two of my fans tonight, one was a female and the other was a dude. Two people that randomly came up to me and told me they're a fan of me. I had just finished snapping a picture with a fellow pro boxer when this one fan came up to me and stood in front of me with this big grin. I smiled back and then there was that awkward moment of silence. "You're Amy!" she said. "Yes, I am... and who are you?" I replied. She then started telling me about myself, how I had been training and fighting out of Korea and how she had seen me at the Hershey Centre at a tournament but she couldn't get down to introduce herself to me because I was sitting ringside. I stood there listening to her and it was great to not have the TV show "Neighbor Charles" come into the conversation. She knew of me as a boxer and not as some foreign white chick on a Korean show.
When I was leaving the event, another fan stopped me right at the door. He reached out to put his hand on my back and said "You're Dead Aim... sweet! I'm on your Facebook fan page". He then asked for a picture so I put an arm around him, did my boxing pose with my fist in the air, and then he took a selfie of us.
I'd like to think that all those I ran into today that knew my name and know me as a pro fighter are also my fans but I consider them more as mentors, especially the more estabilished boxers. So many high level fighters wanted to ask when I was going to fight while many of them offered me advice on training and questioned me about whether or not I've signed with anyone yet. Nope, I am still very much a free agent but there are two different promoters/managers I am very much curious about signing with, I just don't want to say and jinx it.
Nothing motivates me more than being surrounded by such talent -- a room full of established boxers -- and it's only all that more hyped up by the attendance of others connected to the boxing community, like the media and fans. I snapped pics with a lot of people in the community and was asked to pose for a lot of pics too. Jokes were made, hugs were given, questions were asked, and connections were made. It was a fabulous night out with a sports bar busting at the seems with an array of people with boxing on their mind and a love of the sport in their heart. It had been my first boxing event attended since just recently leaving PBB so that was definitely a topic of discussion with many and while many congratulated me on the big leap of faith with changing clubs, changing coaches and leaving my job, others were all about asking me when is my next fight. I still don't know but I know that I'm most definitely moving in the right direction towards one.
I had arrived with my crew from Clancy's and then met up with my crew from Hardknocks. They're both so different but both so good for me and to me. Training with them seems like one of those no-brainers now that I'm doing it but it was a big leap of faith I took to jump off the path I was on. I had reached a dead end with that former path. I can't really tell you where this new found path is taking me because I honestly don't k now but it sure as hell isn't standing still or predictable and I love that about it. I'm definitely going in the right direction now and it feels amazing.
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