Photo: Vincent Ethier – After missing out at the Montreal Casino last June; the fight between Leïla Beaudoin (11-1, 1 KO) and Lizbeth Crespo (15-7, 4 KOs) is back on track for August.
With her visa in order, the former two-time world title challenger Lizbeth Crespo will finally be able to face Leïla Beaudoin on August 17. Happy ending, because for her stiffest test yet, Beaudoin will have her entire army in the crowd, at the Videotron Centre of Quebec City.
‘I think we can say it’s my biggest fight so far, but I also have the impression that it’s the fight that will really showcase my boxing skills,’ analyzes the pride of Témiscouata, Quebec.
‘Crespo has great technique. It will be more of a game of chess than a war and that’s what I prefer; make feints and set traps,’ she continues.
Sooner than later
The Lévis resident is already well ranked among the super featherweights; 11th by the WBC and 8th according to the IBF. It’s not a certainty – nor a secret – but the objective would be to have a title at stake for Beaudoin-Crespo. This title would bring the winner within two stone’s throw of a chance to fight for the ultimate belt.
Currently, the American Alycia Baumgardner (15-1, 7 KOs) has the four 130-pound titles (five with the IBO). Could Beaudoin face her? Could she fight for a – by then – vacant title? Everything is possible.
‘It’s clear that if the phone rings, we’re not going to say no to anyone,’ confides his head trainer, Samuel Décarie-Drolet.
‘I think I’m right there at this point in my career. This is my moment. I dedicate myself completely to boxing and I put all my eggs in this basket to make it work,’ adds Beaudoin.
Punching Grey’s Anatomy
For a few years, until recently, the Rivière-du-Loup native athlete had some eggs in another basket.
But last May, she obtained her diploma in nursing at Cégep de Lévis. This will be very useful to her later, because for now, she has a second quest to accomplish.
Obviously, this global quest was already underway. Even knowing that Leïla Beaudoin entered the world top 10 somewhere between two term papers makes everything even more impressive.
Besides, none of this was planned.
‘When I was 10-11 years old, I always watched Grey’s Anatomy with my mother. And during the pandemic, I rewatched to the entire show and realized that deep down, I really missed healthcare. So, I went back to school, just like that, on a whim,’ says the 28-year-old athlete.
A successful return
If she says: ‘I really missed healthcare,’ it is because for Leïla Beaudoin, studying nursing is a bit like organizing a fight against Lizbeth Crespo. Apparently it always works the second time.
‘I always liked it. My father works in the helping relationship, my parents are very much into ‘paying it forward’, so I think it’s in my values.”
‘In 2013, in Rivière-du-Loup, it was just too much with boxing and my teachers were also really less accommodating. I had the impression that he was almost putting obstacles in my way,’ she reflects on it, having herself evolved significantly since then.
‘Being more mature, this time, the big difference is that I listened in class,’ she says with a laugh. ‘I have ADD which has not been diagnosed, but it is certain that I have it, so by knowing myself better, I had techniques to study better and listen better without not starting in my mind in staring at the door instead of the teacher.’
You have to Live it to understand
With all the time he has to offer to his sport now, everything is not perfect.
In recent months, Leïla Beaudoin canceled part of her vacation, her attendance at her best friend’s wedding, and much more. All that was for a fight that was canceled and then postponed to August 17.
Not just the fights, these sacrifices are also – and above all – in order to train for them. This preparation is done far from Lévis. In Montreal, outside the gym, she is alone with Rufus, her Samoyed’s dog, adopted notably to bring her some company in the big city.
‘Boxing is the loneliest sport in the world,’ Frank Bruno once said.
Therefore, it would be logical to wonder why an intelligent and educated woman would impose all this to herself? Here is the answer.
‘It’s not an easy life, but what we experience in the ring’s worth gold. The fight, the emotions, the crowd. It’s indescribable and you can’t find it anywhere else.’
Being calm in chaos builds the best athletes.
At some point, it also builds the very best nurses.
