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09/18/2008 Archived Entry: "Better after 40"
Better after 40
By: Mia St. John
Courtesy of the Female News 17 September 08
www.wbc.com
Mia St. John with Marianna Juarez (Marianna is fighting NABF Champ Suszannah Warner on the 27th in Mexico for the WBC International Flyweight Belt)
Remember when turning 35 meant the end of an athlete’s professional career? Let alone turning 40. Times sure have changed.
Dara Torres, 41 year old, Olympic swimmer is an inspiring example. I heard someone say the other that she had the body of a 20 year old. Really? What 20 year-old I asked? I haven’t seen many 20 year-olds that ripped. Then I watched Debi Purcell, 39, MMA fighter, fight on Showtime this month. She too did not look like any 20 year-old fighter I have ever seen. The worst thing I think you can say to someone is, "You're really in shape for someone your age!" or "You look great for having kids!" What!? For “my age,” did you say? So if I were, let's say 20, boxing eight rounds, running hills and lifting weights all in one day that wouldn't be so astonishing? I think it's pretty remarkable for anyone—at any age.
Now here's the kicker, "She fights like a man." Again, I don't know many men that can box as well as say, #1 ranked bantam-weight, 41 year-old, Alicia Ashley. So now whenever people ask me when am I going to retire, I simply say when Bernard Hopkins, 43, does. Sadly, for women, we are considered over the hill once we've reached 30. If you are a man you become seasoned or distinguished. We just become...well—old. I remember once when I was still with promoter Bob Arum and at a press conference he announced that he wanted to wish me a happy birthday because I had just turned 33! I just cringed; I wanted to crawl under a rock. Now at 41, 33 doesn't seem so bad.
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