Locally trained fighter preps for upcoming title defense

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers FISTS OF FURY-Jeri Sitzes, who trains daily at Agoura's Big Fish Boxing, is the current NABF Featherweight champion. The leather-snapping sounds of Jeri Sitzes' jab combinations reverberate through Agoura's Big Fish Boxing club six days a week.

Bobbing and weaving, sticking and moving and developing nonstop ring stamina all constitute just another day at the office for the 27-year-old Sitzes, the reigning North American Boxing Federation's (NABF) Featherweight champion.

The tireless, physical labor should pay dividends for the locally trained brawler during her second title defense Thurs., May 4 at the Hilton Burbank Airport and Convention Center against Tijuana's Lina Ramirez.

"I know that once you have a title, you'd be ignorant if you didn't work even harder than you did before," Sitzes said. "Now you're expected to do well because of your achievements.

"To me, it's a fresh beginning because I'm a champion," she said. "I have to work even harder, train harder, and get better and faster. At the same time, I must stay humble, too."

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers STICK AND MOVE-Jeri Sitzes ducks under the outstretched glove of her trainer, Terry Washington. Sitzes will fight May 4 in Burbank. Born in Poplar Bluff, Mo., Sitzes made her professional boxing debut at 128 pounds in May of 2002, where she lost on a unanimous decision to Renee Richardt Douglas.

Sitzes won her first boxing match in Sept. 2002 by TKO.

Over the next two years, however, she failed to maintain any momentum in the ring, and by September 2004, after losing a 10-round decision to Kelsey Jeffries, Sitzes' career record stood at 5-6-1.

As her record fell to average, Sitzes began training with Terry Washington, a West Hills resident who grew up boxing in South Central.

"She was a .500 fighter when I got here," Washington said. "Since then, we haven't lost a fight yet."

Washington said Sitzes fights with the same style that he did as an amateur, and those similarities have helped speed up Sitzes' progress in the ring. Washington classifiers his fighter as a "boxerpuncher."

"She can box and she can punch with the best of them," Washington said. "She can stay in the pocket and punch with you or she can box with you on the outside.

"She's a counter-puncher with very good defense. She's a complete boxer and she's exciting. She likes to fight . . . no, she loves to fight," Washington said.

Sitzes said Washington has helped her become a more technical fighter.

"Since I've been around him, I really know the difference between what I need to do and what I've done in the past," Sitzes said. "He's helped me so much technically with my defense and making my punches better."

Sitzes' crowning career moment in the ring so far came on Jan. 27 at the Hollywood Palladium. In a 10-round unanimous decision, Sitzes (10-6-1) defeated Jackie Chavez to capture the NABF Featherweight title.

The only person that may have been more excited about the win than Sitzes was her mother, who still lives in Missouri and is currently suffering from a critical illness.

"My mom watches that fight over and over and over," Sitzes said. "It makes her feel good, and it makes me feel good to know that she's proud."

In addition to her boxing career, Sitzes has also been a professional kick boxer for several years and is the reigning UKF Lightweight title holder. While she still competes in occasional kickboxing events, Sitzes said she's dedicated most of her training to boxing.

Adam Fish, owner of Big Fish Boxing, is promoting Sitzes' upcoming title defense against Ramirez. The championship bout is the main event on a card that also features five male fights.

Fish said he expects and electrifying match between two accomplished female fighters.

"World champions don't come along that often," Fish said. "When you see this girl (Sitzes) fight, you will definitely have a new respect for female boxing."

Presale tickets for the May 4 event in Burbank can be purchased at Big Fish Boxing at 30686 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Agoura. Ticket prices range from $35-$125. There will also be tickets on sale at the door prior to the event.