Kellie Maloney is contemplating a return to boxing promotion and management.
Previously known as Frank, the former manager of Lennox Lewis stunned the boxing world last month by revealing she is undergoing gender reassignment.
However, Maloney, who guided Lewis as he became undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, told Ringside Special she may not be finished with the sport, despite retiring from boxing promotion and management in 2013.
“Things have changed a lot for me, obviously, but the one thing I do miss is the boxing world,” she said.
“I miss the characters, the banter, the deal-making and I’m contemplating should I return or not.
“Boxing was a passion for me and I still think it could be. Of everything from my previous life I’m actually missing the boxing world. Thirty years of my life were spent in the greatest sport there is, the hardest sport there is, one full of characters and you can’t just wipe that out of your life.”
Asked how her sex change would affect her ability to manage or promote fighters, Maloney says she is now far more tolerant – and would be a better negotiator than she was in the past.
Maloney, who also managed Paul Ingle and Scott Harrison to world titles and promoted David Haye as he became cruiserweight champion, said: “I think Kellie would be a lot more tolerant than Frank was and probably negotiate better.
“I’ve learnt a lot about myself, I’ve learnt a lot about the world and I’ve learnt a lot about human beings.
“If I was to go back it would be with a couple of fighters who I could spend a lot of time with and guide their career. I would use other people’s fighters if I went back into the promotional business.
“It might be better for me to manage and guide a young fighter’s career. I was quite good at that.
“We might find out because I am considering it, I haven’t ruled it out yet. I’m looking at some options.
“First of all I have to go to a British boxing event. Being here [in the Ringside studio] has given me a bit more excitement, looking at the posters, thinking ‘I miss all this’. I’m enjoying my life but I’m missing the excitement of a certain thing in my life.”
Maloney was delighted by the response from the boxing world to her announcement, with Lewis among many big names in the sport to publicly back her decision. And she says she is paying little attention to her detractors.
“I was surprised and I was really honoured and pleased with the response from the boxing world,” she said.
“There have been a few on some forums [who have insulted her] but they’re never going to bother me – I’ve been insulted by far bigger people.”
Watch Ringside Special: Kellie Maloney again at 11pm, Wednesday, Sky Sports 1 HD
