Ringnews24.com: You made more history in 1998 when the British Boxing Board of Control initially refused to grant you a professional license on the sole ground that you were a woman. You went on to win and have the decision overturned. This was a huge success not just for yourself but women’s boxing. That must of been such a proud moment if not the biggest in your career?
Jane Couch: Massive. The board were a bunch of old men that need to get into the 20th century. It was a proud moment, but I’m prouder that I put on great fights with some of the best in the world, win lose or draw. At the time I didn’t really think what I was doing for women’s boxing I just wanted to fight.
Ringnews24.com: You became the first officially licensed British female boxer in 1998. How proud a moment was that for you?
Jane Couch: Yeah, really proud and even more so now women’s boxing is in the 2012 Olympics and it’s ironic it’s in London and it’s down to me. It makes my achievement bigger.
Ringnews24.com: Your first major success occurred in 1996 when you won the WIBF welterweight title by out pointing Sandra Geiger. What did it mean to Jane Couch to win her first title?
Jane Couch: She was the heavy favourite and I just wanted that title. She was a better boxer but I just wanted it so bad. It meant the world to me. It’s hard to win away from home but it something I had to get used to in my 17 year career.
Ringnews24.com: In your professional career you won five world titles. Which performance/belt do you rate highest and why?
Jane Couch: Geiger because it was the first belt I won. Clampitt she was the rising star and everything was against me in the USA. I knew I had to win 8 of the 10 rounds to get it or stop her. I just never stopped throwing punches for the whole fight, and the other was Rijker. Even though I lost, we had a 8 round war on the Lennox Lewis-Vitali Klitschko undercard and it went out live to millions and put women’s boxing in a good light. Rijker, in my opinion, was the greatest ever.
Ringnews24.com: What can be done to help women’s boxing, and what improvements would you make ?
Jane Couch: Make sure they have good amateur experience and not just get thrown into the pro game straight away.
Ringnews24.com: Women’s Boxing seemed to be more popular just a few years ago (when Christy Martin and Laila Ali were quite popular). Would you say that it is in a slump now, or is it just that the media has kind of quit paying as much attention to it?
Jane Couch: When Martin myself Rijker and Anani were around we had good competitive fights, that’s why people were interested. Now, it’s just about getting the win. The best girls need to take on the best and not just build records.
Ringnews24.com: The key to the future of women’s boxing has always been establishing a foothold in the amateur game, not simply just how well the pros do. With women’s boxing now an Olympic Sport, how long do you think it will take before we start seeing that assisting the pro game?
Jane Couch: Yes, lets hope the women at 2012 make a good impression. That will be the start of getting some good pro’s. They can get amateur experience and when they turn pro, they will be a good standard.
Ringnews24.com: You received a MBE in the 2007 Queen’s Birthday honours. How do you rank that along beside the achievements in your career? And did you manage not to swear in front of the queen? lol.
Jane Couch: Believe it or not, it was Prince Charles, and I didn’t slip up. He was really nice and knew his boxing. I had a laugh with him too.
Ringnews24.com: You announced your retirement from boxing on 1st December 2008. With so many fighters coming out of retirement, have you any plans to step back in the ring?
Jane Couch: No way.
Ringnews24.com: What do you miss most about boxing, and what what advice would you give someone who was thinking of turning pro?
Jane Couch: I don’t really miss competing now. I did my bit and I’m still heavily involved so I get my buzz that way. And to anyone turning pro, be serious. It’s a hard game. Just dedicate yourself and train hard.
Ringnews24.com: You interview fighters now for www.janecouchboxing.com. What interview has been your favourite so far? And what has been your favourite moment ?
Jane Couch: I love them all but one that really did stand out was when I got the chance to interview Al Berstein from Showtime. He’s a very clever and decent man. I love doing the small shows where the fighters that wouldn’t normally get much exposure get a bit of recognition.
Ringnews24.com: Do you have a message for the fans?
Jane Couch: Keep watching www.janecouchboxing.com. It’s funny and don’t take them too seriously. It’s a laugh and I can do it without swearing, but to get recognized you have to be different and I’m certainly different.
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