Anna Woolhouse won’t be a stranger to any avid boxing fan.
She’s a boxing presenter on Sky Sports, having started out concentrating on netball and ice hockey.
And if you needed any inspiration for ramping up your workouts to include the odd bout of pad-work, then Anna is it. She’s seriously ripped.
But why boxing? In an incredible male-dominated industry with very few big female names, just how hard is it to be taken seriously?
And does watching boxing all day ever tempt Anna to get into the ring herself?
We chatted with Anna about her love of big fights, sexism in sport and why more women should think about getting into boxing.
How did you get into boxing?
After several years working at Sky Sports on both Sky Sports News and covering netball I was offered the opportunity to present boxing. I’d always been interested in the sport and had always incorporated hitting pads into my training so it was a no-brainer from me really, I jumped at the opportunity.
I remember the initial chat I had with head of boxing, Adam Smith, about 18 months or so ago, when he asked me if I would be up for presenting the show.
I knew it would be a fantastic opportunity but never did I imagine the magnitude of some of the fights I have since covered, from AJ v Klitshko at Wembley, Bellew v Haye one and two at the O2, to heading off to Las Vegas for Mayweather v McGregor…
But, it’s also been amazing to watch some of the next generations come through, the likes of Buatsi, Ritson, Kelly and of course witnessing Katie Taylor win her first world title within a year of turning pro.
What do you love about boxing?
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What’s not to love about boxing?
The dedication, skill and passion of the fighters are infectious! I can honestly say I haven’t witnessed an atmosphere like it at any other sporting event than at fight night. It’s become not just about the sport but it’s also entertainment and I hope myself and the team at Sky Sports Boxing portray this.
I know moments in my career such as covering AJ v Klitschko at Wembley with 90,000 fans and millions of viewers watching will truly go down as one of the best if not the best moment in my career.
What’s it like as a woman in the industry; do you find that men take what you have to say seriously?
If I had a pound for every time I was asked this or if I even liked sport, I’d be a rich lady! Also, I wonder if they’d ask a guy the same question? I doubt it.
I do feel there is a way to go yet until women are considered an equal in sport as yes, it is still an essentially male-dominated field. But in my own personal experience, I can honestly say I haven’t been treated any different to my male colleagues and I am immensely proud to work in a team that includes some amazingly talented women – and they’re there because they are the best at what they do.
My aim and focus is pretty straight forward, I just want to do as good a job as possible covering a sport I love.
And how about your own training – how has being involved in the industry influenced your attitude towards female fitness?
If you look at my Instagram you can see I’m not afraid to lift weights.
I train the way I think everyone should train, incorporating strength sessions along with HIIT and boxing into my regime. I’ve only really taken strength training seriously over the last couple of years since my gym Evolve in Fulham educated me on the importance of it.
I honestly love it, I’m totally behind this strong not skinny movement going on right now. I think a lot of women are afraid to lift weights for fear of getting bulky, but that’s simply not the case. All it does is make you strong, mentally and physically and the same can be said for my boxing training.
All the guys I train with take me very seriously but I don’t train for anyone else apart from myself (I’m a hard taskmaster!)
Do you spar?
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I love boxing training, it’s definitely my favourite session. It’s the only training where I don’t think about anything else other than the task at hand.
I’m so focused on what punch or combination I’m throwing that my mind can’t wander or allow for distractions. I try and get down to Darren Barker’s boxing gym 12 x 3 in Paddington whenever I can.
At the moment I’m just hitting pads (they don’t hit back!) but I’ve toyed with doing a White Collar as it’s one thing being able to hit pads, but very different to actually being in the ring. When you have an opponent, it’s not just your punches you have to concern yourself with, you also have to deal with someone hitting you back.
It’s mentally and physically so different from any other training I’ve done. I have the utmost respect for anyone who steps into the ring be it professional, amateur or for fun.
Can you describe your training week?
I aim to do three strength sessions a week targeting the major lifts, squats and push-pull moves such as overhead press and chins.
Along with that, I try to do at least one or two boxing sessions a week, HIIT and or a run. Obviously, this varies depending on work schedule but I’m not someone who can sit still. I grew up dancing six days a week, so being active is really important to me – it’s the norm.
Also, the older I get the more I’m learning to listen to my body so if I’m tired I know I need to rest and I’ll do just that.
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What do you wish more women knew about boxing?
I don’t think it’s just women but people in general often underestimate how fit, strong and disciplined boxers are.
Even from a fitness point of view, it has grown in popularity over the last 12 months or so and I think regardless of gender, if you give boxing training a go, you’ll soon see why it’s so addictive.
My parents are prime examples of people who used to think it was just two men (women also) knocking 10 bells out of one another. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it does come down to that, but don’t forget boxers are athletes of the highest level who are willing to risk everything every time they step in the ring. Now my parents are hooked!
British boxing is flying and over the last few years, as a sport, it’s really come into its own.
If the last 18 months are anything to go by for me personally, I can’t wait to see what’s in store next.
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