Lovemore Ndou
According to Ludacris, the Hip Hop and
R&B artist in one of his hit songs “Pimpin’ All Over The World”, the best
looking women reside in Africa. That’s because Ludacris has either never been
to the Land Down Under or if he has he was busy ‘Disturbing Tha Peace’ or ‘Acting
a Fool’ instead of checking out the women in Australia. Surely Africa has its
share of beautiful women but so does Australia. The only difference however is
that the women in Australia can fight too.
In the next couple of days I will be talking
to some of these fighting beauties from the Land Down Under. Since the
inclusion of women boxing in the recent Olympics in London there has since been
a debate about whether women should be allowed to compete in three minute
rounds like men do instead of two minute rounds. Whether their title fights
should also be 12x3 minute rounds instead of 10x2 minute rounds. And whether
these women should be allowed to complete against men in their weight classes.
The first of these fighting beauties I had
an opportunity to talk to is 31 year old Sarah
Howett, nicknamed “Missy”. Missy
started her career as a kickboxer/ Muay Thai fighter where she won a number of
titles along the way. She has also appeared in a number of television shows
including the Australian version of Gladiators. As a boxer she competes at
light welterweight and is the most avoided female fighter in Australia despite
still being a novice of only five fights for four wins and one loss. Her loss
came against the highly experienced Erin McGowan who is also known for putting
men on their backsides during sparring sessions.
Missy also talks to me about her upcoming
fight, her dreams to fight for a world
title and having to advance her stance, balance and the urge to knee someone in
the head when they weave during fights.
1.You
have a fight coming up on the 20th of October against Arlene Blencowe at the
Moonee Valley Racecourse. What can we expect to see from you?
I'm expecting a tough fight from Arlene. She
just missed out on making the Olympic selection from what I've been told. I
have also heard that she has a very similar fighting style to mine, so this
could potentially be an epic battle. It's important for me to give the crowd
something exciting to watch.
2. What can you tell us about your opponent?
I hear she moves well, she's sharp, hits hard and is determined. Exactly
the type of fighter I would want to be up against. I'm expecting a lot from
this girl. She has been described as having a similar style to mine.
3. Your last fight was in March when you defeated Daniella Smith. Is there any particular reason you have been inactive?
I have had two fights scheduled in between. One of which I was forced to
pull out from a chipped bone in my wrist close to the fight. There is nothing
worse than having to pull out of a show. I have only done it twice in 7 years
due to serious injury. The mental anticlimax feels harsher than going into the
ring having your arms tied behind your back. The other, I was scheduled to fight
against Latana Mundine and she pulled out - again close to the fight. I have
felt like the Queen of preparing for fights but have had an unlucky string of
events. Still, training never goes to waste and it keeps me happy.
4.You have a kickboxing background. Did you find it hard switching from kickboxing to normal boxing?
I favour my hands, even in Kickboxing/Muay Thai, that was always
evidently clear. It took me some time to adjust my stance, my balance & the
urge to knee someone in the head when they weaved but I eventually got there.5.What made you switch to normal boxing?
I love my hands. I love the art of slipping and weaving. I love
footwork. I was fighting both kickboxing and boxing (only amateur in boxing)
and when I went to the WBC Convention in Chengdu, China in 2008 I met up with
some of boxing's greats. I got to spend a week with the likes of Barry Michael,
Gus Mercurio, Bernie Balmer, Don King and many other legends from trainers,
fighters, ring officials, referees, etc. They all suggested to me that I should
pick one style & to pick boxing. I concurred and have never looked back. I
still love kicking and always will but when it comes to my career, it's boxing.
6. Can we expect to see you in Combat 8 in the near future?
It's not something I've given any thought to presently.
7. Can we expect to see you fight for the world title sometimes soon? And who would you like to challenge for the world title?
Hell yes! If it were tomorrow, I'd be there! Who's putting it on? I
really want to up my ranking so any of the top 5 world-wide ranked women would
be ideal.
8. Is there any fighter in particular you would love to fight in Australia? And why?
No. I spoke with Di Prazak in L.A recently and we spoke about how so
many fighters are trying to scale on top of one another. Obviously you need to
fight other Aussie Fighters when building up a record but in my eyes,
ultimately we are all on the same team. I would love nothing more than to see
more world titles brought into the hands of Australian fighters. This way we
are more recognised and the sport can grow healthier. I would love to go to the
USA to train and spar with both Di Prazak and Erin McGowan (both of who I have
fought & now all in different weight divisions) and support each other
through fights. Boxing is crazy so it's cool when you meet other people who
share the same insanity.
9. After ten professional fights you automatically qualify to fight for the IBF title. Can we expect to see you fight for such a title in the near future?
You can count on it!
10. Do you think women should be allowed to fight 3 minute rounds like men instead of 2 minute rounds? Why?
Five years ago, I would have said yes. I have fought 3 minute rounds in
Muay Thai before. That last minute can tend to drag if the fighter's are
fatigued & hence grow tiresome with the audience. If anything drags on for
too long, the interest is lost.
11. Do you think women title fights should also be 12x3 minute rounds instead of 10x2 minute rounds or 8x2 minute rounds? Why?
No. Again, five years ago I would have been all for it because that's
what I wanted but now that I am wiser, I don't think it's necessary. There is
nothing to prove in saying you fight for 3 minutes. Most of us train in 3
minute rounds, so the 2 minutes are jam packed with action.
12. Do
you think women should be allowed to compete against men? Why?
No. Yet again, I would have been the first to put my hand up to fight a
male on record. I was fighting them daily in my training so having a bigger
audience to watch made no difference to me. But now, I just don't feel it's
necessary. Due to genetic make-up, there is already a disadvantage for women
physically, there is no denying that. I have changed my attitude a lot over the
years. There is nothing to prove by doing this. It can only end up ugly
eventually. It's dangerous and irresponsible. I have every faith behind the
female boxers of the world but it would be like fighting someone on steroids.
Unfair and unethical.
13. Would you fight against a male fighter?
Before when I had too much pride, yes! Now I have just the right amount
of pride.
14. If you were to pick a male fighter in Australia in your division to fight against, who would you pick? Why? And how do you think you will go?
I wouldn't. I'd like to spar them but I have nothing to prove in
fighting them in a competition, although I would totally dominate and win! haha
:) There are a lot of great up and
coming fighters - Jake Carr is a name I am going to be keeping my eye on. Team
Jake!
15. Anything else you would like to tell us?
I would like to thank everyone in the Fighting World for continually
sticking by me. I know it has been a long ride of ups and downs, fights and no
fights but I can feel everybody's support, especially during those times when I
am waiting on the sidelines, hanging to jump in and play. And when I am on,
what a ride!!! My family, my friends who wait patiently for me are my support
base. My trainer, my friend, Joe Nader- you are one talented man who has
brought out the fighter within me & I will be forever grateful. Gary &
Elly from Black & Blue have stuck by me from the beginning until now. Thank
you!
Thank you
Missy and best of luck in your upcoming fight.