Page 76 - Flathead Living Fall 2013

48˚ NORTh PROFILE | STORY & PHOTO BY TIM TEPAS Shelley Burton
Former professional boxer from Bigfork
t’s apparent from the Wom- en’s Intercontinental Super Middleweight Championship
lt hanging on her wall that Shelley Burton is an accomplished profession- al boxer. But despite her hard work and exceptional boxing talent, Burton cred- its her rise to champion to the support she received from many Flathead Valley residents. She received great training and financial support from a long list of people and businesses while follow- ing her professional ambitions. It’s that support that prompted her to train local boxers and give back to the community she loves.
A Bigfork native, Burton dreamed of becoming a professional athlete at an early age. She competed in many sports during high school, including basketball, softball, volleyball and rug- by. Burton discovered boxing at age 22 when she entered a Tough Man compe- tition in Butte to earn some extra cash. She was matched against other female boxers also with limited experience in the ring at the winner-take-all event. “I couldn’t believe how tough the sport was,” Burton said. After beating her opponents and winning the competi- tion, she continued on the amateur cir- cuit building a record of 17-0 with sev- en knockouts before turning pro. “I was really drawn to boxing and enjoyed the challenge of learning new techniques and getting better,” she said
As a pro, Burton fought in venues across the country and Canada, racking up an impressive eight wins with only two losses. She told her manager early in her career she wanted to fight WBC Champion Laila Ali, the daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. At the time, he just laughed, but then that phone call came. Burton’s manager of- fered her the fight she wanted, but with only three weeks notice. Despite not being in fighting shape, Burton took the fight and found herself in Madison Square Garden in New York City facing Ali. After a hard fought battle, Burton
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was stooped over with blood pouring from her nose as the referee stopped the fight with two seconds remaining in the fourth round. “I thought it should have gone on and I know I could have continued, but he stopped it,” she said. About a year after that fight, Burton officially retired from professional box- ing. “I honestly felt like I completed my goals after I got the opportunity against Laila Ali at Madison Square Garden,” she said. “It was a great experience for a little name like myself, coming from Montana to get this chance.”
After leaving the sport, Burton be- came a heavy equipment operator in Colorado, but she missed Montana, so she moved back home and found
work helping people lose weight. At the urging of friends, she opened up a gym, Burton Boxing, with her partner Megan to help people continue on their fitness journeys. The gym helped peo- ple get in shape and even launched the boxing careers of many local fighters. Unfortunately, Burton had to close the gym earlier this year but she maintains her state license as a fight promoter and has hosted seven local boxing events and two in Great Falls. Each night of boxing she organizes not only provides an inexpensive evening of fun, but money raised is given to local charities. “I’m glad I can give back to the commu- nity that supported me for years during my boxing career,” she said.
74 FLATHEAD LIVING | FALL 2013