It did not work out the way she wanted, but Cleveland’s Cashmere Jackson took home a bronze medal at the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Read today's Boxing Insider from Joe Maxse.Jackson, 23, had to settle for the bronze at 141 pounds when she was bested by Russia’s Vera Slugina, 27-9, in the International Amateur Boxing Association semifinals last Friday. She was back home Monday, winding down from a whirlwind three months that saw her come out of nowhere to win a USA Boxing national title. That performance put her in the world event and set her on course for the debut of women’s boxing at the 2012 Olympics in London.
“I wanted to be the underdog, that’s how I like it,” said Jackson, a Collinwood High product. “I had no plans to fight in the nationals until my coach [Renard Safo] told me I could do it. I can’t believe I got my first loss.”
The vagaries of international computer scoring had Jackson upset, feeling she scored more points than she was credited with in the semifinal. It was especially a sore point since Slugina lost, 13-1, in the final.
“Honestly, I thought I won,” said Jackson of her loss. “Every round I came out harder and stronger. I gave her everything I had. Then the next day she gets one point. It makes me look like a novice.”
Jackson said she will take some time off from the ring, especially since she is looking for a job.
“I haven’t been home in three weeks, and it’s been a busy year for me,” she said. “I wanted to do it for the country and myself. Now I’m looking forward to the Olympics.”
Changes: Former world middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik was set to fight Haiti’s Daniel Edouard on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito bout at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
However, Edouard’s contractual status is unclear, according to Pavlik’s co-manager Cameron Dunkin, so another opponent is being lined up.
The Las Vegas-based Dunkin also said he has signed to manage two-time Cleveland Golden Gloves champion Eddie Alicea, who will be promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.
Pro-am show: Youngstown promoter Tom Cordell will headline junior welterweight Jake Giuriceo (7-0-1) against Florida’s Roberto Lopez (3-0-2) on a professional-amateur card at the Itam Club, 115 Meridian Road, at 7 p.m. Saturday in Youngstown.
Two other pro matches and six amateur bouts round out the show. Tickets are $25 general admission, with table seating also available. Call Cordell at 330-717-4201.
Pro show: A pro show is set for the Canton Civic Center on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. Cleveland middleweight Dante Moore (6-0-1) and heavyweight Mujahedeen Moore (4-4) are scheduled on the seven-bout card.
Tickets are $30 reserved and $15 general admission. Call 1-800-745-3000 or go to hofboxingandpromotions.com.
On this date: Michael Spinks decisioned Larry Holmes in Las Vegas in 1985 to become the first light heavyweight champion to win the heavyweight title.