How ‘penny drop moment’ sparked Gold Coast boxer to trade corporate world for the ring at 32
A Gold Coast boxer who traded her corporate life for the ring at 32 years old will face her biggest challenge to date this Saturday, in an Australasian Welterweight Championship title bout at the Mercure Resort Gold Coast. Her story here:
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Gold Coast boxer Connie Chan will face her biggest challenge in the ring to date this Saturday when she takes on fellow local Louise Creaven in an Australasian Welterweight Championship title bout at the Mercure Resort Gold Coast.
The 38-year-old gave up her corporate career as General Manager of Hammer Nutrition at age 32 to pursue boxing professionally, and admitted it was finally sinking in how far she’s come in such a short time span.
Having grown up playing hockey and tennis, her introduction to the sport was unorthodox to say the least.
She was first asked by a friend to assist in coaching beginners at the local YMCA, despite having zero experience or knowledge of boxing.
“Overtime he started getting me to help out with the fighters,” Chan said.
As time went on Chan was worried her lack of experience would keep her from coaching further.
“He said the only way to get better is to start competing, so I started.
“Next thing you know, I was thrown in there with everybody and I just thought, ‘this is so much fun’.
“I had a realisation that if I was going to put my body on the line, I may as well reach for the pinnacle.”
Her passion for the sport had grown gradually during her time as a coach, but while travelling through America and Mexico for vacation,
Chan couldn’t help but miss the ring. That’s when she knew it was the right path.
“All this amazing scenery, and all I could think about was boxing,” she said.
It was far from where she’d expected to take her career, having seen a young fellow fighter quit university and initially questioned his decision.
“I didn’t understand (that),” Chan said.
“He (said), ‘you can only be an athlete for so long, I can always go back to uni’.
“That was a penny drop moment ... it was now or never.”
The switch came as an equal shock for Chan’s friend Jay Toope, who took on the role of coach before she later turned to Angelo Hyder and Tony Nobbs.
“He asked me when I was coming back to coach, and I said ‘well I prefer being athlete’.
“I think that was a surprise to him.”
Within six months of starting her amatuer career, Chan, 33 at the time, claimed her first Queensland state title.
The quick move-up-the-ranks came as a surprise, but she didn’t dwell on that.
“I noticed I kept being put up against credible opponents.
“The first year and a half it was learn on the go, I didn’t have time to wait.”
In that time, Chan learned perhaps the most valuable lesson thus far.
“If you are willing to take chances and opportunities when they’re presented to you, even though they might be against you, then it’s not as hard,” she said, pointing to putting herself in the ring every chance she got no matter the odds.
“On your deathbed, for me, I’d never want to wonder what if or what I could have done.
“That’s why I’m pursuing this as hard as I possibly can, because I don’t want to wonder.
“If I get to a point in my career and haven’t quite achieved my goals, I’m ok with that because I threw everything at it.
“So if there’s an inkling for anyone who has aspirations ... just take the leap of faith, go hard and follow what you intend to do.”
Financial help is non-existent for the 38-year-old, as goes for a large majority of female boxers, though Chan has managed to build herself a network to assist with day-to-day costs including food, recovery and fuel.
“I’m very blessed with products and services from people who look after me,” she said.
With that in mind, she voiced how more concrete financial help would undoubtedly elevate the sport to a new level.
“There are many of us female boxers who have to work full time jobs just to make the dream happen.
“If there’s any opportunity for corporates to jump on someone’s journey, that would definitely help by miles for anyone.”
Saturday’s bout against Creaven is not just a title, but a pivotal moment in Chan’s career and a nod that her risk of leaving a comfortable career for the unknown has been rewarded.
More Coverage
Originally published as How ‘penny drop moment’ sparked Gold Coast boxer to trade corporate world for the ring at 32
‘Kids travelled from everywhere’: How PYRF success boosted Tonga profile
There was such demand for spots on the Queensland Tonga teams for the Pacific Youth Rugby Festival that ‘we had to do trials and over 200 kids turned up’. See them play LIVE from Friday.
Territory terrors join all-star cast at Pacific Youth Rugby Festival
All Nations NT is offering their players a thrilling opportunity at one of the country’s premier junior rugby carnivals - and they can’t wait. Catch them LIVE from Friday. Check the schedule.