Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Michelle Cook is off to a winning start to her professional boxing career and is keeping her focus on her next fight in May. Michelle's first professional victory came on February 27th in Niagara Falls, NY when she won each of her four rounds against Ivana Coleman of Slidell LA, (0-5). Michelle's coach, Atsiaktonkie, said that Coleman "has not won a fight yet but she has been fighting top ranked women, including number one ranked, Heather Hardy, and has given them all battles. No one has ever knocked her down". That is, until she got into the ring with Michelle.

Michelle gave Ms. Coleman her first knockdown and was declared the winner by a unanimous decision by the judges. "I was waiting for her (Ms. Coleman) to throw something but she didn't," commented Michelle. "She had a couple of hits but it didn't seem like I was hit." Atsiaktonkie agreed "Ivana seemed to be worried about Michelle's power and couldn't get going because of Michelle's super footwork. Footwork is everything. Footwork, power and Michelle's skill made it hard for Ms. Coleman to get set".

The weight class for this fight was 117 pounds and while Michelle made weight, Ms. Coleman was five pounds over. "We fought anyways and Michelle dominated the whole time," reported Atsiaktonkie.

There has been talk about Michelle fighting Ms. Hardy but Atsiaktonkie wants her to get some more fights under her belt first. "I don't want her labeled as an eight round fighter already. It's too early. She needs some six round fights first. We plan on training for higher level fights and I believe that she is ready now but we don't want to jump the gun," explained Atsiaktonkie.

However, its business as usual for Michelle after her first victory. "I felt so happy when I won," smiled Michelle, but I need to keep training hard so I can get stronger and keep winning." The next fight is scheduled for May 29th against Priscilla Trompkowsky at the Buffalo/Niagara Convention Center.

The ultimate goal for Michelle is a World Title, which is ten rounds. "I believe that she will be ready for that level of fighting in a year," said Atsiaktonkie. With Michelle's work ethic, drive, talent, focus and determination, her dream of living in peace in the woods is sure to become reality.