When \u00c1ngel Ocasio started coaching boxing at Simon\u2019s Park eight months ago, Ivy Jones, 11, was the only girl registered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though Jones was involved in a sport mostly surrounded by boys, she was named champion in her category. Her win exemplifies that girls can succeed in boxing despite their young age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe [Jones] knows now that she can compete with the boys. She had to spar; she had no other choice, and not all the boys took it easy because they knew they couldn\u2019t,\u201d Ocasio said. \u201cShe\u2019s feisty. She\u2019s a fighter\u2026they had to take her seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ocasio, the head boxing coach at Simon\u2019s Park and the new coordinator of programs and events at the Chicago Park District, said he wanted to help create a space where girls could participate in boxing to show that they can succeed in a male-dominated sport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of March, Ocasio helped to organize a boxing tournament with the Chicago Park District that included a day dedicated solely to female boxing. He said the event highlighted how the girls he coaches are \u201cjust as entertaining as the boys,\u201d and he hopes to continue hosting similar events in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jones stood out during the three days of the tournament; the community witnessed more than 70 fights featuring athletes from the district\u2019s 22 boxing gyms, he said. On March 27th, she emerged as the champion in her category.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n