"It's been a lot of ups and downs, but that's how it usually is with boxing, especially amateur. It's been a great journey and I enjoy every minute of it. I look forward to the years to come...it's such an honor to represent the USA and to be coming home with Gold Medals. We want to show other countries what USA is all about. It's an awesome thing," stated amateur flyweight Ginny Fuchs, who talked about being named captain of USA Boxing for the 2016 Olympic Games. Check it out!
PC: How is everything going, Ginny?
GF: It's going well. We're in the middle of our Olympic training camp right now. It's actually a multi-nation training camp. There's actually about 5 different countries training here at the Olympic Training Center for this camp.
PC: You started boxing late. What does it mean to you to be where you are today and to have accomplished so much so quickly?
GF: Well, it's been about 7 to 8 years since I have been boxing. I started in college at the end of my sophomore year. That's the first time I ever stepped into a boxing gym. It's been a difficult road. I've had a lot of obstacles and different waves and humps that I had to get over to get to this position that I'm in. It's been a lot of ups and downs, but that's how it usually is with boxing, especially amateur. It's been a great journey and I enjoy every minute of it. I look forward to the years to come.
PC: Well, I'm a fan because you're an LSU alum. so major props for that.
GF: Yes I am (laughing).
PC: You went to the gym just to stay in shape initially. Did you ever imagine that you could take it to this level?
GF: Well, when I started, they hadn't announced that they were going to put women's boxing in the Olympics, so when I first started, I didn't see me going to the Olympics. After my first couple of fights, after I won, I decided I was going to take this serious and look to go pro in the future after a good amount of amateur fights under my belt. And then when they announced they were including women's boxing in the 2012 London Games, I was like, "Alright!" I've actually always wanted to go to the Olympics. I used to be a runner back in the day. I was real big into track. Actually, I went to LSU to run cross country, but I only did it for a little bit. I only practiced and never did any races my freshman year. But I was a runner and I wanted to go to the Olympic Games in that and when they announced it in boxing, I felt I was good enough and wanted to go in boxing. So then I strived for that. When I didn't make the 2012 team, I said I would shoot for 2016.
PC: What's that process like, because when you failed to make the 2012 team, it's a 4-year gap in attempting to make the next team. Is that an opportunity to get better and work on things or is it kind of a frustrating and stressful waiting period?
GF: No, to be honest, those 4 years went pretty fast for me. I was like, "Ah man, I have to wait another 4 years." But they went by really fast. You grow in those 4 years. I've gotten so much better since 2012, and I also got more experience internationally. Really, this year is the most international experience I've ever had. I went to one international tournament in 2013 and 2015. That's key because, honestly, you need that international experience because that's what you're going to be facing in the Olympics. It's a good 4 years of getting better, working on what you need, and getting experience.
PC: The U.S. have had some low moments during these Olympic Games in boxing. Is there any added pressure to bring medals back on this team?
GF: It's always in the back of my head, but I don't really like to talk about it too much. I feel like it may cloud me and not let me be focused on what I need to do. So I don't really try to think about it; therefore the pressure doesn't really bother me. It's in the back of my head, but I don't let it bother me.
PC: You've fought in Rio before. That has to help you because it's something you've experienced, and although there is still an acclimation process, at least you've been through it before.
GF: It definitely helps me out. If I didn't have any of this international experience and had not gained the experience of competing against other countries, it would be a lot more difficult to feel ready, but now I do. That's a big key; it helps a lot. We always get to wherever we're competing like a week and a half or 2 weeks ahead of competition so we can get used to the time change and the food and everything. We do that with any international tournament we do.
PC: Any time you can put the title #1 next to your name, that's an awesome accomplishment. You are the #1 female flyweight in the world. How does that sound?
GF: Ah man, it's awesome because I worked so hard these past 4 years and this is what I was working for, getting that #1 spot. So it feels great and it's a major accomplishment. It's one of the biggest accomplishments I've had in my life.
PC: Not to get too political or anything, but when you see everything going on in this country, I'm sure you guys would love nothing more than to bring some light and positive vibes back to this country.
GF: Oh, for sure, yeah! It's a good accomplishment and success for myself, but it's such an honor to represent the USA and to be coming home with Gold Medals. We want to show other countries what USA is all about. It's an awesome thing.
PC: I wish you the best of luck. I hope to see you have great success both finishing out your amateur career and as a pro. Is there anything you want to add before I let you go?
GF: Thank you so much!
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]