January 16, 2020

A little luck (and a nudge from her father) was all it took to ignite the fire for Madeline Pettey’s love for boxing.

The New London 13-year-old was attending an event at a friends school, and bought tickets for a basket raffle. She put twenty plus tickets in other baskets, but her dad, Jim Pettey, urged her to put a single ticket in the basket for a three month membership at Whaling City Athletic Club — and she won. At first, Pettey was reluctant, but decided to at least give it a try. She says, “I wasn’t sure it was for me at first, but ended up really liking it.” That was nearly four years ago. Now, Pettey is a fixture at the New London gym, practicing 5-6 days a week.

Women have been boxing since as far back as the 1700’s, but there have always been restrictions and hurdles for them. Although women’s boxing was introduced in the Olympics in 1904, it was limited to exhibition bouts. Less than 10 years ago, in 2012, it was introduced as a competitive Olympic sport.

Madeline Pettey trains with Whaling City Athletic Club owner and head coach, Kent Ward in October 2019.

Traditional gender roles have dictated that women boxing is unseemly at best, and for centuries, women in boxing have been treated as a novelty. But things are changing. Women’s boxing has expanded over the last few decades — but there is still a lot of room for growth. Bold young women like Pettey, who are defying those outdated gender roles, are benefiting from the women who have come before them while making up the next generation in the sport.

Locally, we have a vibrant community of women boxers who Pettey looks up to, including Kelsey Kaiser, Marcia Agripino and Shelly Vincent. Kent Ward, who owns Whaling City Athletic Club and is also the head coach there, has also been a major influence on her. While attending a bout at Madison Square Garden, Pettey had the chance to meet another one of her role models, two time Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields, who even allowed Pettey to see her Olympic medal.

Being a young woman in a male dominated sport isn’t easy; Pettey says that “it can be hard to find partners my age to spar with. Not all boys will get in the ring with a girl.” There are other girls at Whaling City Athletic Club, but they are not always there when she is. She has to seek other girls out, and will at times go to other gyms to spar.

“It can be hard to find partners my age to spar with. Not all boys will get in the ring with a girl.”

— Madeline Pettey

Pettey, who lives with her parents Jim and Lisa, their two dogs, two cats, three chickens and a fish, isn’t just bold in her passion for boxing. She is a well-rounded young woman who knows what she wants and goes for it. After being homeschooled her entire life, she decided (with her parents) to go to “regular” school this year and began as a seventh grader at ISAAC in New London in September of 2019. Why the change? She felt is was something she “needed” to do. She is also an artist, taking some time every day to do something creative - whether that is working on a giant doll house or painting, which is her favorite.

In the face of a challenge, Pettey steps up. Last summer, she broke her wrist while skateboarding, and was unable to spar for months. She used the opportunity to keep training, and says she developed a “really good left jab.” She is working up the courage to to have her first fight, too. She hasn’t competed yet but says it’s a possibility this year when she is mentally ready.

As for other young women who may be interested in the sport of boxing? Pettey says, “If you think you are interested in boxing, just try it.”

Brenda’s Note: This profile is part of my “Small City, GREAT Women” Photo Project, which celebrates the women of New London, CT who are doing great things. If you know a woman who would be a good fit for the project, NOMINATE HER HERE.