The Blog
LA Boxing’s own Ashley Weakley fighting this weekend to go 5-0!
This week, Friday, September 24, LA Boxing member, Ashley Weakley enters the ring versus T.J. Cunanan in the 135 lbs. weight class. Looking to better her record to 5-0 at the Tuff-N-Uff Amateur Fighting Championships at The Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, Weakley will be turning pro following a hopeful victory Friday night.
LA Boxing had a chance to talk with Ashley about her training, her desire to go pro, and where that “Baby Tyger†nickname came from. It’s a “10-count†with Ashley Weakly.
LAB: What’s your training regimen like?
AW: Right now, prepping for a fight, I train 6 days on, 1 day off. My typical week breaks down to 3 days of strength training, 2-3 days of jiu-jitsu, 6 days of cardio, and 6 days of fight training. Depending on how I’m feeling, a training day will last any where from 3-4 hours a day when I have an upcoming fight and 1-2 hours a day when in between fights.
LAB: What’s the process of getting your mindset and strategy when you’re preparing for a fight versus when you’re between fights?
AW: Having good coaches has made the process smooth; we go over all the videos and set up our strategy from there. When you’re prepping for a fight you’re a lot more focused than usual, and when your opponent takes you by surprise in the middle of a fight with something you didn’t anticipate, you have to just go with the flow, stay calm and stay focused, otherwise they’ll shock you again.
LAB: How did you get the nickname “Baby Tyger�
AW: I was joking around with friends in highschool and we were all saying what our nicknames would be if we were to become fighters. They said mine would be “Baby Tyger†because I’m un-suspecting, but if you underestimate me, I can be a big threat.
LAB: What’s the best and also the hardest part about being an aspiring professional MMA fighter?
AW: The hardest part is definitely the training. You have to sacrifice a lot of things in your life. It’s not necessarily physical sacrifices because your body eventually gets used to all the training, but more the life sacrifices; not seeing your family/friends quite as much as you’d like to. You just can’t go out every other night. The best part is getting in the ring and feeling that adrenaline rush and knowing that you want to be better every time.
LAB: What’s the worst injury you’ve suffered?
AW: I’ve actually been really, really lucky. I’ve been fortunate enough not to have any serious injuries so far. You get the occasional dislocated toe, but I’ve never sustained an injury bad enough that it took me out for a while.
LAB: What’s the best advice you can give new fighters aspiring to be professional?
AW: Stick to your goals. Be reasonable with yourself and with your goals. I started this in November of 2009, so not long ago, and I just took it one step at a time. I didn’t go into it saying I’m going to go pro by this time. Just make sure you go after what you want and make small goals for yourself, then go from there.
LAB: Mixed Martial Arts combines different disciplines of martial arts, what’s your favorite and why?
AW: I have a background in amateur boxing, so I prefer moves standing up, but when I started MMA training in November of 2009, I realized I needed to be equally proficient in stand-up as well as ground work, so I learned jiu-jitsu. I’d say I mix them up now about 50/50.
LAB: For those unfamiliar with the specific discipline of Mixed Martial Arts, can you explain how it differs from other martial arts?
AW: MMA is a combination of all fighting arts. You have to be good at everything (all martial arts) to be good at this. For those not interested in the fighting aspect of it, it’s a great workout because it puts your body through new routines and constantly changes what your body gets used to in other workouts.
LAB: If you could go toe to toe with anyone dead or alive who would it be?
AW: No one in particular. After my fight this Friday, I’ll be going pro next year and I’d say I’d fight anyone that stands in my way.
And on that note we will get out of Ashley’s way.
From all of us at LA Boxing and on behalf of all the members you have our best, Baby Tyger, fight hard and good luck!!!
