Kaliesha West
| Kaliesha West | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Kaliesha West |
| Nickname(s) | "Wild Wild" |
| Rated at | Junior Featherweight |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (162.56 cm) |
| Reach | 71 in (180.3 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
February 11, 1988 South Haven, Michigan |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 20 |
| Wins | 16 |
| Wins by KO | 4 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Draws | 3 |
| No contests | 0 |
Kaliesha West is a professional female boxer and the former 3 time WBO Female Bantamweight and IFBA super Bantamweight Boxing World Champion. She is the first professional boxer in history, between both male and female, to become a World Champion from Inland, CA. [1][2] She was born on February 11, 1988, in South Haven, Michigan.[2] West currently resides in Moreno Valley California, a small suburb between Riverside and Palm Springs. West is a Motivational Speaker and implements her courage on being a Women's Right's advocate for Women's Boxing. She shares her passionate beliefs that equal opportunities for female fighters should be given to those who have worked hard, and accomplished the greatest of challenges in their profession whether male/female. On September 18, 2010, West won the WBO title, becoming the first world boxing champion from the Inland Empire.(Between men and women)[1][3] Her father, Juan West, is her boxing trainer and manager.[2] She was also a contestant on the CW reality show Capture, she placed 4th out of 12 teams. Currently, West is delivering her voice through social media networks, campaign, and protests across the United States in hopes to generate a following from those who believe in equal opportunities for women's boxing. Some compare her representation in the sport of Women's Boxing to that of Billie Jean King.
Multi-cultural heritage
Kaliesha West is an athlete of multi-cultural heritage. Her father, Juan West, is African American and Puerto Rican descent. Her mother, Melissa, is of Mexican and Korean heritage.
Early years
West was first introduced to boxing while attending her father's boxing fights.[2] However, her father was reluctant to involve her in the sport.[2] Juan West tried to appease his 10-year-old daughter by showing her the proper boxing stance and how to punch.[2] He gave her difficult training exercises to discourage her. When she persisted, Juan took her to a gym to fight a much bigger opponent, and she lost.[2] Kaliesha refused to give up boxing and continued her training.[2]
High school
She attended Canyon Springs High School in Moreno Valley, where she started freshmen year as Varsity Cross Country and track.[2] She participated in boxing activities outside of school.
Amateur career
West won numerous tournaments and honors, including the 2002 and 2003 Junior Olympic championships, the 2003 and 2004 Silver Gloves championships, and the 2002 125 lb. National Golden Gloves championship for ages 13–14.[2] Her overall amateur record was 98-10.[2]
West turns professional
Just after turning eighteen years old, West made her pro debut on February 23, 2006 at San Manuel Indian Casino in San Bernardino, California, winning a four-round unanimous decision over Suzannah Warner.[1][2]
West wins the WBO World Title
On September 18, 2010, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, Kaliesha West won the vacant WBO Bantamweight title with a seventh round TKO over Angel Gladney of South Carolina at 0:59 in a scheduled ten-rounder.[1] She made boxing history, as she became the first boxing champion from the Inland Empire.[1] West also became the first female to win a world title on a Golden Boy Promotions fight card.[4] West successfully defended her WBO title for three consecutive years traveling the world against Mexico, Argentina, and USA.
West wins the IFBA World Title
On October 6, 2012, at the Finish Line Sports Bar and Grill in Pomona, California, Kaliesha West won the vacant IFBA Junior Featherweight title with a 10 round unanimous decision over Christina Ruiz of Texas.[1] Kaliesha successfully moved up to the next weight division to become a two division world champion. West also became the first female to headline for Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions.
Public viewing
In 2013, Kaliesha participated as a contestant with her boyfriend Matt on the first season of Capture, an American reality competition television series on The CW loosely inspired by The Hunger Games. West was also featured as an athlete promoting Sony's new waterproof mp3 Walkman.
Championships and accomplishments
- 2012 IFBA International Female Boxers Association Super Bantamweight World Title[5]
- 2011 Moreno Valley Grand Marshall
2010 Proclamation from the city of Moreno Valley.
- 2010 WBO Female Bantamweight World Title (3 defenses)[5]
- 2010 First ever world champion between men and women from Inland Empire, CA.
- 2005 National Golden Gloves Champion[5]
- 2004 First Female B.C.R. Champion[5]
- 2004 Silver Gloves Champion[5]
- 2003 Silver Gloves Champion[5]
- 2003 Junior Olympic Champion[5]
- 2002 Junior Olympic Champion[5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Kaliesha West". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Women's Boxing: Kaliesha West Biography". Wban.org. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
- ↑ "Women's Boxing: Kaliesha West Biography". Wban.org. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
- ↑ "Kaliesha West". BoxRec.com. Retrieved 2016-02-08.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Kaliesha West Awakening Profile". Awakeningfighters.com. Retrieved 2014-07-24.