Young boxer Hensley to make ring debut tonight

July 20, 2019 at 12:00a.m.

Hensley, 9, has trained

with Loew for 10 months

BERLIN CENTER

A lot of 9-year-olds spend their summers at a pool or on family vacations.

Not Zion Hensley. She has been training for her first amateur boxing match.

The 65-pound Hensley, a fourth-grader at Western Reserve Elementary School, is set to make her amateur boxing debut tonight as part of the “Night of Champions,” 10-bout card at Tallmadge High School, 140 N. Munroe Road in Tallmadge.

Hensley will take on Phoenix Brownfield (1-1) exactly 10 months to the day she first stepped foot in Loew’s gym.

Hensley trains under the watchful eye of Jack Loew at South Side Boxing Club.

“This is a compelling story from the very beginning, when she first stepped foot in my gym,” Loew said. “She is a girl of many talents who wants to do everything. I encourage all the kids her age to do that, but she’s a step up because she already does those extracurricular activities.”

A straight-A student, Hensley has ridden English saddle horses since she was 3, plays soccer, softball, sings and even dabbles in photography.

Her favorite subjects are social studies, reading and writing.

“I’m very excited because this is a special time in my life,” Hensley said. “I want to bring the trophy home with a win.”

She credits Loew for teaching her and ultimately getting her prepared for her first fight, adding that Willie Nelson has also been a big influence.

“Jack has taught me so many things, so many new things,” Hensley said. “I’ll work on those with the punching bag and when I shadow box. but when the gloves are on, he’ll make sure that my hands remain up and never go down.

“Willie has worked with me on my combinations, how to start slow, speed up and then use different, multiple combinations. We also work on slipping, moving, bobbing and weaving.”

As for her opponent, she takes nothing for granted.

“These are three, one-minute rounds so I’ll have to start fast, go hard all three rounds and really step it up the final round,” Hensley said. “My dad was nervous, actually shaking during my first sparring session but he’s come around. He cheers me on and that gives me confidence.”

According to her father, Jason, a licensed clinician at EA Schools in Ravenna, the last few months have been all boxing for his daughter.

“Believe me, this is not my sport of choice for Zion,” he said. “She’s still a little girl and someone who fell in love with the sport. Now, I am learning the game from her. She has sparred boys that are two and three years older than her, sometimes 25 pounds heavier and is very talented.

“She’s survived a bloody nose, busted lip and a liver shot that put her down for a day or so, but she is ready to go. World-class fighters like Kelly Pavlik, Harry Arroyo and Willie have taken the time to catch her in the gym.”

Loew credits her work ethic for her fast development.

“Zion is one of the few, and I mean few boys or girls that I have to say, all right Z, you’ve had enough. It’s time to go,” Loew said. “Boredom kills her. She’s very active, pours her heart and soul into boxing and at nine years of age I cannot ask anything more of her.

“On Saturday night we’ll see how far she has come. She has the skills, can box, fight and packs a wallop. Her strength is that she is relentless and conditioned. My guess is there won’t be a vicious knockout and the best girl will win. No matter the outcome, I give her credit for stepping into the ring. My money is in Zion.”

After eating salads and according to her father, “boring pre-fight food,” Hensley already has an eye on what she will eat after the fight.

“I’m looking forward to making mud with sweet tarts with my grandma,” she said. “On Sunday, I’m looking forward to a trip to the Texas Roadhouse.”

The first fight hits the bell at 6 tonight.