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07/21/2006 Archived Entry: "Crystal Wright Proving 'Nice Girls' Finish First!"
Crystal Wright Proving 'Nice Girls' Finish First!
Crystal Wright is off to Capetown, South Africa as a judge in the Laila Ali vs Gwendolyn O’Neil, WBC Lt Heavyweight Fight.
By Jill Diamond
WBC Female Championship Committee
AJ (20), Crystal (Ageless), Christian (16), Buffy ( 19)
Jill: Did you always want to be involved in boxing?
Crystal: No, I really didn't know much about boxing at first. My Boyfriend at the time was a Boxer. I started going to his matches when I was about 16. I actually liked it from that point on. As the relationship went on I'd go to the Gym with him and I really started to learn alot. We eventually got married and had 3 kids and Boxing was our life.
Jill: Who helped you achieve your goal?
Crystal: Jim Hall ....I still love that man, He was the Boxing Commissioner of Missouri. I had been judging amateur fights for about 2 years at the time and I wanted my Professional license so I asked Jim what did I have to do to get a pro license? He said if you judge another year of Amateurs then I'll give you your Professional License.
"I didn't think he was serious because Jim was kind of a prankster but I did my year and then I approached Jim at a Boxing match and said okay I'm done ...can I get my License. He said “Yes.” Now it may not sound like a Big deal but trust me it was we're talking about 1987-88.You didn't see too many women in Professional Boxing in any capacity. I still remember someone asking Jim, 'You're really going to give her a professional License to judge?' He replied, 'Yes.'”
Jill: Any obstacles?
Crystal: I have to focus and keep a positive attitude in this business, being a woman in a predominantly male sport. Of course there have been many obstacles but I overcome those and if I can't overcome them I just move around them.
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