A young and up and coming boxer out of Baltimore, MD, Mia Ellis started drawing attention by media since the age of 5 years old, caught by The Baltimore Sun in 2006.
Being trained by her father and coach, Kenny Ellis, cited that she basically started shadow boxing before she was 1 since spending so much time with dad as he was coaching.
As a kindergartner, she was sparring 8 and 11 year old boys.
Back then, Coach Ellis detailed out the plan of daily training at 7 years old, compete in amateur bouts at 8, potentially turning professional at 17.
In late December of 2019, “Killer Bee” Ellis made a successful pro debut on Premier Boxing Champion’s Showtime Boxing show at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA, stopping Uneaka Best in the opening round of a scheduled 4 Round bout.
Fast forward 13 months, Ellis is ready to sting again. She is set to face North Carolina’s 7 fight pro Myasia Oglesby in a 4 Round Lightweight matchup on legendary former champion and now Hall of Famer Christy Martin’s promoted show at the Crown Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Saturday evening.
We spoke to Ellis as she was finishing up camp to discuss her career thus far and on the rise up the ranks.
#WBN: With the prodigy status label, why did you bypass Olympic goals for the pros?
Ellis: I felt as if competing for USA boxing did not fit my mindset so we decided to go ahead and turn pro. I felt like professional boxing was a better route.
#WBN: Of all sports, why boxing?
Ellis: I grew up around boxing. That’s all I really knew was boxing.
Because my father is a coach, he had kept me in the gym since I was born. I was around it 24/7. Wherever he went, I was right beside him. I just got hooked onto boxing.
When I was young, he would study fight tapes. I would watch them with him. Whatever they would do on the tapes, I would follow along. I just learned from that.
I started sparring at 5 years old, just for fun. I was sparring (current WBA Champion) Gervante Davis and other fighters from the gym. He (Coach Ellis) did not think I was going to stick to it but I did.
#WBN: You made your pro debut before this ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, how was the feeling?
Ellis: The best part was that it was on a big card, the Gervonte Davis vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa undercard and not a lot of girls get an opportunity on a big card like that especially for their first professional fight.
#WBN: What shall we expect on Saturday?
Ellis: I stayed in the gym (during the pandemic), staying ready for whatever. But right now, we are ready for Saturday. Expect a smooth, good fight. We are going to put on a show.
#WBN: How is it feeling to be competing on the show being promoted by one of the pioneers of womens boxing?
Ellis: I am honored to be on her show. I cannot wait to meet her. She has done so much for us today. If it was not for her and others, we might not have the opportunities today.
#WBN: What weight class are you looking to settle into?
Ellis: I am going to go down and fight like two or three fights at 126, come back up to 130 and then look to fight Katie Taylor.
#WBN: Are you targeting any specific boxer(s)?
Ellis: I am focusing on what’s coming up. We will look at future competition after we get their first few fights out of the way.
#WBN: Who would you say are the top three females in boxing today?
Ellis: I would say… Claressa Shields, Katie Taylor, and Mikaela Mayer. I feel like those are the top three.
To fight Mikaela Mayer would be a great fight. It would be an action fight because we have the same style but I think we could brawl if it came to it. I would love to have that fight.
#WBN: Obviously every boxer’s ultimate goal is to be world champion. What are the champ’s short term goals?
Ellis: I am going to tell you the truth… No, I don’t have any. Everything we do now… How you train… How you fight now… determines our successfuly future. I am just ready for the future! I am just taking it one step at a time.
#WBN: Any closing thoughts or shoutouts?
Ellis: I would like to thank my team, Coaches Kenny Ellis and Calvin Ford, Strength Coach Russ Blakney, Wendy Richardson of Preeminent PR, my friends and family, and of course… my fans. My supporters keep me going, keep me working hard. If it wasn’t for them, I probable would not be where I am today.
I would also like to thank my sponsor, Redesigning Minds. They make sure I have everything I need.
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Jay Kemp, #NextGenChamp
Northwest Chicago Suburb native that has an aptitude for development of sports. Sports is my life, from youth to professional levels. I make things happen! I AM GOLDEN! Sports BIZness specialties include marketable presentation, public relations, sponsorship acquisition and retention, up-to-date marketing strategies, charitable projects and how they translate into positive public image. In addition to boxing, I am a nationally certified coach in the sports of lacrosse, soccer, and wrestling, with ties to many other sports. Telephone: 224-627-3777
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