By Amy Green
Photo (C) Alan Messick/www.pbase.com/alan
 
On July 2, at the Pechanga Resort in Temecula, California, Elena "Baby Doll" Reid of Las Vegas, Nevada (18-3-5) challenges Shin Hee Choi of Seongnam City, Korea, (8-1-0) for Choi’s IFBA Flyweight title on the Fox Sports Network, a fight which is also scheduled to be rebroadcast on Fox Sports "Best Damn Sports Show, Period" July 12.
 
Elena, the current WIBA flyweight champion, known for her trademark pink ring apparel and vivacious demeanor, sheds the girly-girl image when she steps through the ropes and becomes a fierce competitor. Her current title came August 31, 2006 when she topped a very tough Mary Ortega in a toe to toe battle in Lake Tahoe. She then faced Kaliesha West in December for an exhibition match.
 
Except for the bout with West, Elena has seen no fights since her victory over Mary Ortega, but it's not for lack of trying.

"A lot of fight cards just fell through for whatever reason," she said, but has never stopped training. "I've been actively training since the Ortega fight, am always in the gym and have been ready to fight."
 
Her official training for the July 2 match has been about four weeks, which she admits is short for a camp, but never slowing her workout rate since the August fight has helped.

"Training has gone GREAT for this fight- I've gotten excellent sparring with NABF champion Monica Lovato, my stablemate Sharon Gaines, and Fillipino prospect Ana Julaton." In addition to sparring, Elena has also armed herself with knowledge of her opponent. Shin Hee Choi, Elena observed, doesn't have as much ring experience as she does, but is still no one to take lightly. "She will definitely come to fight, and is very game, and I expect a good fight."
 
Will this fight rival the excitement of her bout with Mary Ortega? " I hope so! " Elena exclaimed. "I loved that fight against Mary. It was toe to toe action. After the fight I thanked
her and told her what a great fight it was and how fun it was."
 
Although Elena knows better than to look past her current fight, she would look forward to a challenge and the chance to defend her WIBA title, but so far has had no offers. " I'm always willing, and will take the fight to defend my title with whoever steps up."
 
Another challenge Elena would certainly consider is 112 pound title, which she has battled for with Germany’s Regina Halmich twice. "I would most definitely fight Regina again, and have made her that offer," Elena said, and hopes a third time against Halmich would bring her the victory that has eluded her previously in Germany.
 
Challenging for the IFBA title on Fox Sports is a huge step for Elena, who is considered a veteran of her sport with six years as a professional and 26 fights. She believes that the heart, passion skill and athletic ability she puts into her career has gotten her this fight on a major sports network, and not the fact she has ever resorted to sideshow tactics to further her career. And she admits being an attractive girl paired with her skill in the ring doesn't hurt either.
 
Combining her charm, looks and knowledge of boxing with the marketing degree she is studying for at UNLV, Elena plans a long career in boxing. " I see myself competing for another 2, 2 ½ years," she said. "Of course my goal is to unify the titles and be the overall champion but beyond that, I will always stay in some aspect of boxing. It's my life and I love everything about it."
 
The love of her sport does come at a price, Elena confessed. "Being a boxer is kind of a lonely and solitary existence," she said. "I have a lot of friends that I don't see for a long time, because of training; I don't date. But I have good friends that understand and we pick up where we left off when I do get to see them again. All of my time is focused on training, working, being in the gym."
 
The force behind Elena’s hard work are her team, which consists of Chris Benn-Tchaveadze, who has trained her for four years and also coaches boxing at UNLV; former welterweight contender Skipper Kelp and Scott Biere who trains Elena in jujitsu.
 
When Elena Reid makes her appearance on Fox Sports July 2, she brings all that is positive in women’s boxing to the ring- skill, athletic ability, and a crowd pleasing style. She promises her bout with Shin Hee Choi will be the evening’s best. "I love boxing," Elena reminded. "This is what I do. My fights are always the very best they can be, and this night will be no different."
 
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