Beat Down™

Christina Kwan - "The School Girl"
USA amateur boxer

Age: 23
Height: 5’3”
Weight: 95
Class: junior straw weight

Academics: Bachelor of science in Business administration, marketing (may 2002) University of Nevada, las vegas
Honors: Graduated cum laude (top 10%) Phi kappa phi national honor society Golden key national honor society National society of collegiate Scholars Dean’s list (fall 1998-spring 2002)
Internship: Park place entertainment / Caesars palace Public relations, spring 2002
Current: k.o. casino gaming concepts executive director
k.o. concepts: public relations, marketing, business analysis
Future: MASTERS IN BUSINESS (MBA)

Dare to put’em up against her?
By Sarah Haas
For the Northwest Asian Weekly

She founded her own business, graduated cum laude from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is applying to the top 10 business schools in the country. Her mind is focused on many educational aspirations. At 5 feet 3 inches and 102 pounds, Christina Kwan appears to be an unlikely candidate for a boxing match.

However, for the past four years, Kwan has been one of relatively few female boxers in the country. The number is growing, although there are still very few Asian American boxers.

Kwan competed in her first tournament Sept. 1 at the 2002 Ringside National Labor Day Championships in the 95-pound female open-weight division.

At 22, Kwan, nicknamed “Schoolgirl” for her strong academic background, has been boxing since the beginning of college. The Vancouver, B.C.,
native moved to the Seattle area at age 7 and graduated in 1998 from Shorecrest High School. She chose to go to college at UNLV, graduating in 2002 with a bachelor’s in marketing. While in college, she walked into the school boxing gym and became, according to Kwan, “inspired.”

“A lot of times people don’t know how far they can push their bodies,” said the Chinese Canadian. “A female can be smart, pretty and athletic at the same time. Even though I am small, my skills and my abilities in the ring will definitely surprise anybody.”

Female boxing has received much more recognition in recent years, thanks to big-name boxers like Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali.

“Women are treated very well in the gym,” Kwan believes. “I think a lot of (observers of the sport) think (female boxing) is a joke…but I am a girl and I can fight.”

She continued, “However, we have to prove ourselves extra-hard since many professional women fighters are not very skilled and give those of us who can fight and are skilled a tougher time in proving our abilities.”

In preparation for the Ringside National Labor Day Championship in Kansas City, Kwan trained in Big Bear, Calif., at boxer Shane Mosley’s training camp, then at Oscar de la Hoya’s gym. For two months, she ran about 20 miles a week on an inclined road course in the Las Vegas heat to prepare for the tournament, in addition to her regular training. She also adhered to a strict diet low in carbohydrates and rich in steamed vegetables, fruit, and chicken breasts.

Kwan chose to wait until she graduated from college to participate in tournaments because the training is “extremely strict and intense,” she said, Kwan finished first runner-up in the national championship. Kwan described the loss as a “very controversial decision “ made by the referee. Her opponent, Kwan said, had a difficult time returning all of Kwan’s punches.

“Her skills and fundamentals are so sound,” said Vinny Perozzi, Kwan’s trainer. “I wanted her to be a fully-rounded fighter. All her skills say, ‘Wow, she can fight for real. She’s better than a lot of men. (Boxing is) not just about being tough. She can do everything.”

During her undergraduate studies, Kwan started her own business while maintaining her academics and training schedule. He business, K.O. Casino Gaming Concepts, hosts gaming events that teach people how t get an edge when gambling against house odds.

“Every casino game has a house edge,” Kwan explained. “My company teaches how to never lose to the most powerful number – seven – again.”

Although boxing provides Kwan with a physical outlet, it also gives her a unique activity to put on her applications for graduate school.

“Boxing will definitely make me stand out amongst other graduate-school candidates,” she said.

Though Kwan has never been seriously injured in boxing, she has learned how to “defend and protect myself in everyday life.”

Her pees and family have supported her decision to box, though they worry about her getting hurt. Kwan acknowledges the dangers, but she views boxing as a demanding sport that can be rewarding as well, if a boxer is well skilled in the techniques.

“Boxing is tough, both physically and mentally,” Kwan explained. “I tend to think that conquering the sport mentally is the number one key to succeeding. …One thing that a woman needs to do in the gym is to act and train seriously (to avoid getting hurt).”

Kwan sets her sights on the 2008 Olympics in Beijing where female boxing might be allowed as an event for the first time. Although it has not yet been decided, Perozzi thinks that she has a chance at competing.

“She’s a stand-up boxer (and) puncher,” Perozzi said. “She has a lot of skill that makes her different than other girls she fights.”

Kwan said that she thinks boxing is about more than just fighting.

“(It’s also about) being proud of your body and feeling healthy.”

For now, Kwan said that she plans to continue fighting in national tournaments until she attends graduate school. Her primary focus continues to be on education, even while training for more tournaments.”

Kwan explained, “You can’t box forever, but education is valuable forever.”

Nwasianweekly.com, November 23, 2002.
For more information about Christina Kwan, e-mail christinamkwan@yahoo.com.