Mia «The Knockout» St. John. «I can be very feminine while being a pro boxer”:

“Mediamax Sport” continues “Sports Beauty of the Week” series.

Mexican-American professional boxer Mia «The Knockout» St. John is one of the most famous female pro boxers of the world. She fought in the boxing ring for overall 60 times winning 47 of them (18 Wins by KO),, having only 12 loses and 2 draws. 

She is former WBC champion in the super welterweight division, IBA and IFBA lightweight champion, a model, businesswoman, and taekwondo champion.

Though Mia’s first bout as a professional boxer was on February 14, 1997, she continues to appear in the ring until now.

The taekwondo world champion decided to try herself in pro boxing and time showed that the attempt wasn’t a mistake.

St. John, a Mexican-American, was born in San Francisco, California. She attended California State University, Northridge, earning a degree in Psychology. As a student, she compiled a taekwondo record of 27–1, was awarded a black belt, and worked as a model to afford her education.

At the age of 29, St. John decided to become a professional boxer and in her first bout on February 14, 1997, she knocked out Angelica Villain in just 54 seconds of the first round and earned the nickname of "The Knockout."

St. John, under contract first to Don King and then Top Rank Boxing, was featured on the undercard of Oscar De La Hoya bouts. She had 23 fights, won 22 with one draw, 3 KOs and 9 TKOs. All fights were four-rounders and most were televised which brought her national popularity. St. John was crowned the "Queen of the Four-Rounders", a title she hated. St. John's opponents were selected by Top Rank without her input.

After her 20th bout, St. John was injured during a skiing accident which would lead to possible amputation of one of her legs. She was twice operated on to remove a blood clot.

In November 1999, St. John appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine and in an 11-page pictorial. She wanted to show that she can be a feminine woman as well as an athlete.

Mia says that she will not leave the ring as long as her cell rings. Probably, that means never. Her favorite athletes are Oscar De La Hoya and Thomas Hearns.



- Mia., it's really amazing to appear in the ring for the first time and knock out your very first opponent in just 54 seconds!!!

- I was shocked and elated. I was not able to realize then what was going on. It was one of the best moments of my life. That happened on February 14, 1999. After that victory I was awarded the ring name "The Knockout".

- You entered professional ring only at the age of 29. Why did it happen so late?

- I was an amateur taekwondo fighter before that. I have a black belt from taekwondo. And the only way to earn money from fighting was to appear in pro boxing. 



- Whom do you consider as your toughest opponent?

- All of them were because just to get inside that ring is a fight itself. It’s a very difficult process. I just happen to have a great passion for it.

- How do your friends and family react to your ring career?

- They get very much worried. Many fighters suffer from brain damage after their careers are over and that scares my family and friends too.

- So what’s the latest, most exciting thing in your boxing career and personal life right now?

- I have UN-retired! At first I left it, then couldn’t live without it. I am so excited to get back to the ring.

- You stick to a tough diet. Is that difficult?



- It is difficult, but possible. I stick to a tough diet and workout everyday. Even if I don’t have a fight, I still train and eat as if I do. I recently had to have a hip replacement. It was very painful. So returning and having a good shape was rather hard.

- There are more and more female boxers, but stereotypes about them still exist. What do people think of you as a female boxer?

- That I am wild and crazy. Yes, I am crazy, but not wild. (laughing).

- So people expect female fighters to be non-feminine… But when they see you, certainly get surprised as you are very beautiful.

- Um... I can actually be very masculine. I just don’t like people to see that side of me because I know it is not socially acceptable. Yes, I do modeling job like most of the athletes do. Playboy was my favorite because of the money and exposure

- That’s it! You appeared on the "Playboy" cover in 1999. What were you eager to express through that photo shoots?



- I wanted the world to know that I am still a woman and I can be feminine as well. Boxing will never change that. I can be very feminine while being a pro boxer

- Have you ever used your boxing know-how to defend yourself outside of the ring?

- Only in school when I was very young. (laughing).

- Does boxing have any affect on your personal life?

- Sure, I deprive myself from lots of things. Having serious relationships becomes a huge problem. There is no way to try any other sports. But I know that all these sacrifices are a must.

- At most of male boxing matches there are “ring girls” wearing bikinis who walk around the ring between rounds carrying signs stating what round is coming up. When females box, is it a good idea to have “ring boys” between rounds?



- You know, sometimes we have those ring boys. But when inside the ring, I’m too focused on the fight, and I never notice the ring card people though.

- Mia, you have your own business. Is it hard to be both in sports and business life?

- It’s one and the same. Being a professional is a business.

- There are not so many young girls who train as pro boxers here in Armenia. But, probably, there will be a few in our readers list who will read this interview, get inspired from you and try it.  What would be your first advice to them?

- I would advise them to graduate from college or university first. It’s the best thing I ever did and the best advice my mother ever gave me. I would be honored to inspire someone to try herself in this sport. Thank you everyone! And yes, follow me on Twitter @miastjohnboxer

Narine Daneghyan talked to Mia St. John