She’s a poet, a musician, a girly-girl, and a vegetarian: Maureen Shea is ranked by the WBA as the #1 Undefeated Super Featherweight boxer in the world. Her scorecard reads 10-0-5 KO’s. Preparing for the upcoming Co-Main Event in Reno, Maureen Shea discusses the fascinating world of a female boxer.

 
Maureen, how did you get into boxing?

As a teenager, I was very rebellious — kicked out of high school my junior year, staying out past curfew, and in fights. At age 19, I became involved with a man six years my senior. Ours was an abusive relationship. My boyfriend abused me both mentally and then physically, until I was 21 years old. He said I was fat. But at 112 lbs, I was anorexic. I had taken diet pills to look thin for him. This destroyed my gallbladder, and I had to have it removed.

I’d come to a fork in the road of my life, and I didn’t know who I was anymore. When I was 19, by the grace of God, I walked into Omni Health and fitness gym. The gym kept my mind occupied and out of the house. I didn’t want to be at home crying while my boyfriend was out cheating.

So I began the boxing life: I was either at school or in the gym. I had a lot of anger in me, but I was broken down, just the shell of a woman. Eventually, I fell out of love with my boyfriend and fell in love with the sport of boxing. Through boxing, I got myself back on track. It is the architect that rebuilt me. Boxing is almost like my child, I could turn to it, and I feel safer inside the ring rather than outside of it.

You were the sparring partner for Hilary Swank’s preparation for Million Dollar Baby. Can you relate to Hilary Swank’s character in Million Dollar Baby?

I shared my life with Hilary; she wanted to know what kind of person I was, what my struggle was, how I’d been hurt. I saw myself in Hilary’s character. I’d moved out of my house, away from my family, and been in the gym on my birthday too. After filming the movie, she sent me a note thanking me for helping her become the character she portrayed.

Are you afraid in the ring?

I consider myself to be very spiritual. God is my higher power; I’m not afraid, I live in His image, and He protects me in the ring. I always bless myself and say the Serenity Prayer before I fight.