Elena "Baby Doll" Reid

Elena Reid is now 8-1 and training at Absoloot Boxing here in Las Vegas. She stirred up some controversy a while back for appearing on a flyer for an April 5th fight dressed in little more than her boxing gloves. There are some that criticize Reid and other fighters like Mia St. John for relying too much on their looks, but the fact is that they are getting in the ring (often for less money than their male counterpart) and risking everything simply for the love of the sport.

Gregory: So what are you doing here in Vegas? The last time I heard you were fighting out of Phoenix.

Reid: Actually, I just came out to train with my cousin Melinda (Cooper) I'm going to be living here for the summer, maybe longer.

Gregory: Really? What gym are you training at?

Reid: We've been training at Laila's (Laila Ali).

Gregory: Absoloot boxing. I've heard that's a good gym - and they're getting a lot of good fighters.

Reid: Oh it's an awesome gym.

Gregory: So, let's see, you're record is 8-1 now - Are you happy with where you're at? Do you think as your wins increase the pressure increases as well?

Reid: I think I'm at an awesome point in my career now - especially only being 20 years old. There's no rush, I've learned a lot in the gym. The only thing that's kind of difficult is finding fighters to go against, especially in my weight. I could fight for a title right now, as a female, but that's not something I want to do. I want to keep building my record, maybe get some endorsements behind me. As far as pressure goes, that's what professional boxing is all about. We are getting more people behind me and that just makes me want to win that much more. I like the pressure

Gregory: Anything planned for the near future?

Reid: Not really, since I just moved out here, but I know I'll be fighting soon. I'm always training.

Gregory: This is such an amazing town for fighters.

Reid: Yes it is, back home in Phoenix, I love Phoenix, that's my home, but there's no one to spar, it's just not that big. But out here there's so many girls and so much opportunity and if you want to be seen this is really the place to do it. I train hard - that's where my confidence comes from. Melinda and I are fortunate that we have our families are supporting us, since we both go to school. Without that support we probably wouldn't be able to do this.

Gregory: So you're going to UNLV?

Reid: Yes, I'm a junior now, studying sports medicine.

Gregory: Terrific. Any other comments to close out on?

Reid: One thing I'd like to say, the reason I came here today is to support Melinda Cooper, my cousin. We're the youngest females in professional fighting right now. We hope to dominate the 115 and 118.