(OCT 24, 2003) Interview by Sue TL Fox: WBAN recently met up on Oct. 15, with Tonya Harding, her trainer, Paul Brown, and Linda Lewis at Grand Gym, in Portland, Oregon. That particular day, Harding was ill, but still came into the gym and spoke with WBAN and worked out with Brown. Harding has now been training with Brown for about 12 weeks, and feels that she is going in the right direction with this noted trainer.
TL Fox: WBAN had been told that in about 1998-1999, which was much earlier that the Celebrity Match with Paula Jones that you were considering becoming a pro boxer, is there any truth to that rumor?
Tonya: I had offers for wrestling, but I do not believe I had any offers for boxing.
TL Fox: How exactly did you get involved in the celebrity-boxing segment on Fox?
Tonya: An offer came through Michael Rosenberg, (Marco Inc.). At first I thought no, but then I realized it would put me back in the public eye. It could possibly lead to other offers.
TL Fox: Did that match with Jones inspire you or give you the desire to be a boxer?
Tonya: Yes, I’ve always liked boxing, since I was a little, and with it being such an athletic sport, I wondered if I had what it would take to be a boxer.
TL Fox: I know that you have told the news sources that when you had your pro debut, that boxing was much harder than you had anticipated. But in retrospect, do you think that you may have thought that at the time because of turning pro so quickly, or do you still feel that way?
Tonya: When I started boxing, it was harder than I anticipated. Yes, in retrospect, I do still believe boxing is much harder than skating.
TL Fox: What is the hardest obstacle that you have had to overcome in boxing?
Tonya: The hardest obstacle to overcome was people believing that this was not a publicity stunt.
TL Fox: As far as skating vs. boxing, can you tell WBAN some of the major differences as far as training goes from one sport to another, and does it hinder you or help you being a former skater?
Tonya: The difference between boxing and skating is, skating was basically all on ice training, where as in boxing there’s running, ring work, bag work, tires, jump rope, and I could go on all day with the things I train at everyday.
TL Fox: What kind of offers or upcoming fights do you have on the horizon? I have heard that you have been offered fights in Japan, and other parts of the world, are those rumors or is this something that could happen?
Tonya: I have many fights coming up, and yes I have been offered to fight in other countries, and yes, I look forward to those possibilities.
TL Fox: Since being in boxing, and coming in as a celebrity, you have gotten some heat with some of your fights thus far, what is your response to those who have criticized you in the sport?
Tonya: Being a celebrity, people don’t take me seriously, but you win some, you lose some. As long as you know you did your best, who cares what everybody else thinks. As long as I’m happy, and my trainer Paul Brown is happy, that’s all that matters.
TL Fox: You had an earlier trainer when you first began boxing, and now you are with Paul Brown. How did you hook up with Brown, and what happened with the past trainer?
Tonya: My first trainer did not work out. My second trainer was involved in illegal activities, and I will not stand for that. I’ve worked hard at where I’m trying to get, and I have to do what’s best for me, to reach those goals. Paul Brown is the trainer who will get me to those goals, and I respect, and trust him completely.
TL Fox: If you wanted to say anything to your boxing fans, what would you like to tell them?
Tonya: To everyone who has supported me in my boxing, THANK YOU. I will continue to do my best to become a good boxer. Pray for me to continue to learn to move my head quicker, so I don’t get hit as much, and to jab, jab, jab!
WBAN would like to thank Harding for taking the time to be interviewed, and we plan to do periodic updates on Harding as she progresses in her training and in the sport.