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Ann Wolfe, 24-1 (16), is one of the premier Women boxers in the world, having won world titles at light middle, super middle and light heavyweight since turning professional in 1998.
At 36 years of age, Wolfe is still dangerous, but the aging lioness is aware that her time is coming and has become frustrated with the politics behind boxing. SaddoBoxing spoke exclusively with the native of Waco, Texas, who also trains light middleweight prospect James Kirkland, and is never at a loss for words.
SaddoBoxing: Is it tough to stay busy between fights when you have a long layoff?
Ann Wolfe: “No. I had surgery on my shoulder. I don’t never layoff; I train every day. Right now I’m walkin’ around at 170 and 172. I have about 30 amateurs. I own a gym and my number one goal is to keep kids out of the street.”
SB: Emmanuel Steward told me that when fighters also train others, it makes them better fighters. Do you find this to be true?
AW: “When I train other people? Yes. I’m a better trainer than fighter. I have some kids that are coming up that have that kind of potential. I want to be the first female to take a male to a world title. I already know it’s going to happen. If Kirkland keeps going at the rate he’s going, he’ll be a champ.”
SB: Are you in negotiations with anyone right now?
AW: “Not really. The problem with me, I think, everyone is scared to fight me. I think they just want money. It’s going to be a real hard fight. I’ve been a lot of girls’ last fight. Probably 75-80%; they fight maybe one more time and that’s it.”
SB: Do you feel there is a shortage of female elite fighters that makes it easier for a Laila Ali to duck you because she can say, “Well, who has she fought?”
AW: “Yeah, I think they don’t give them enough. The girls didn’t get to go to the Golden Gloves, they girls don’t get to go to the Olympics. If you had that, you would have more elite fighters. My daughter’s 15 and she’s had two fights in five years.”
“No, I think Laila is ducking me because it’s going to be a really difficult fight for her because of the power I got and I am not afraid.”
SB: With Mary Jo Sanders’ lopsided victory over Valerie Mahfood, it seems like the stage is being set for her to fight Ali when you already beat Mahfood in 2005. What do you think of Mary Jo Sanders and her chances against Ali?
AW: “I hit her [Mahfood] with some shots where I know some of her brain cells are dead for the rest of her life. I got male power. I hit like a man. I know one thing; you better pitch a hundred because if you miss, I’m gonna hit you.”
SB: Can you happily retire without stepping in the ring with Ali?
AW: “I could retire right now and be content in my life, happy in my life. I don’t have any regrets. Then, I’m going on to the training side of it. My body is getting tired, old. My shoulder is messed up, my Achilles is bad. I ain’t runnin because I ain’t ran from nobody. I had to fight every day in the streets; why would I be afraid of a woman? If she knocks me out, what I have got to lose? If I knock her out, what has she got to lose? All her endorsements, ‘Dancing With The Stars’, all that bullshit.”
SB: Would you fight Mary Jo Sanders?
AW: “I’ll fight Mary Jo, too. She’s too small. She got good speed but Laila’s too big for her. I remember when I was a little girl, boxing was what you did to get out of the ghetto. Female boxing, you gotta have a famous father. Her [Ali] father isn’t the greatest fighter; one of, but not the best. You know where I came from? I was eating out of the trash can. I was supposed to be in prison for the rest of my life. I came from nothin’. Nobody knew my name from the man in the moon.”
