Sarah Liegmann – From the ring corner: Don’t underestimate women!

Before I get started, I’m really glad you’re here to read my column. It’s going to be chaotic, funny, but mainly 100 percent real. I’ll be sharing lots of anecdotes and experiences from the world of boxing, but also giving you some exciting insights into my everyday madness. And now it’s time to clear the ring!

Sometimes you get the feeling that you’re not being seen or heard – unfortunately, that’s still the sad daily routine in women’s boxing. I’m disappointed and angry because I’ve come across a lot of stories recently and even after talking to a promoter I could only walk away shaking my head …

I don’t want to say that I assumed this business would be nice and rosy. But yes, I imagined it would be easier in some aspects. I don’t just want to talk about myself here – for example, I recently had to listen to people saying that they don’t want women on the fight card because women’s fights aren’t lucrative or attractive – I’m also talking about other fates.

A friend of mine from Florida was put on a fight card, only to be told two weeks later, after she had already started the camp: There were problems finding an opponent – and it was also somehow not respectable that she had lost her last (and first fight). After 20 years in the US squad and ten professional fights won. Disappointment and anger are understandable.

Those who hunt must also pay

The problems with finding opponents are no secret; we women don’t have around 1,500 athletes in a weight class. The pool of potential opponents is smaller and matchmaking is therefore often more difficult. Once you have reached a certain status, the question is whether you want to be the hunter or the hunted: because if you hunt, you have to pay. I’ve often found that organizers don’t pay a cent – cheap opponents have to be found. Who is willing or able to pay upwards of 10,000 euros?

This is the point where many stop, give up on their dream and slowly come to terms with the fact that maybe it wasn’t meant to be. And that’s exactly what we women shouldn’t do. I’m not going to do it. It’s not always easy mentally. Sometimes you’re blocked, sometimes you’re not taken seriously. But what counts is your love of the sport and a few people around you who believe in you. And no matter how many counterattacks you get from time to time or what crisis you find yourself in: Listen to the people who believe in you. Because they are the only ones who can judge.

Simple paths? Are for the weak

The coach who sees you every day – both good and bad – knows how well you can perform. He can judge your performance. A sponsor turning you down because they don’t see the potential in you? Never mind. He doesn’t know you either. On to the next! Men who don’t want a woman on the fight card? Let them see what they get out of it in the future.

I wouldn’t have to put myself through this stress. I could concentrate on university full-time and be a qualified psychotherapist in a few years. However, I grew up with this sport, I have goals – and I will continue to pursue them.

“Only the weak are sent on easy paths,” said Hermann Hesse. And all women have one thing in common: we are not weak.