Shelly Vincent grew up in New London Connecticut, raised in a turbulent environment marked by trauma. Her mother struggled to support them and was often traveling to work and survive. During her childhood, she and her mother, Tania experienced physical abuse and she overcame an abundance of adversity.
As a young girl, Shelly showed interest in boxing, karate, and other typically male-dominated sports. She recalls begging her mother to let her participate in these activities regardless of being “the only girl”. Finally, her mother offered to take her to New York to find a place that would accept women and found Whaling City Boxing in Waterford, Connecticut—-that’s where her boxing began.
In 2001, Shelly lost her mother to leukemia. On her deathbed she made Shelly promise to never stop boxing because that was what was going to save her. Tania was just 37 years old when she passed away.
Shelly learned to box by watching videos of Mike Tyson and Vinny Pazienza on YouTube. She found solace and purpose in the world of boxing. It served as a therapeutic outlet, allowing her to channel her emotions and find stability amidst adversity.
Photo credit: Craig Eagleson
At first, when attempting to launch her boxing career, no one took her seriously or wanted to train her. Then in 2012 eventually, Shelly began to train with Peter Manfredo Sr. in Providence, Rhode Island. Soon after she signed on with manager, Mike Criscio. Undeterred by continued scrutiny as a female athlete in a male-dominated landscape, Shelly went on to achieve remarkable success.
In 2011 at the age of 32, she won the National Golden Gloves 119-pound title and earned accolades and other amateur titles awards for her fighting and extraordinary fighting spirit. She went on to turn pro later that year when she returned.
In 2016, Shelly fought Heather Hardy at Coney Island Amphitheater. This was the first woman’s nationally televised fight since Christy Martin, Laila Ali and the first on NBC on PBC in history. It was named Ring Magazine’s Female Fight of the Year.
Photo credit: Craig Eagleson
The rematch in 2018 was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City and aired on HBO. This fight was one of the two women’s bouts to ever be showcased on a HBO broadcast and is a rarity in women’s boxing.
Photo credit: Craig Eagleson
She retired in 2021, with a 27-2 professional boxing record. A three-time World Champion. She continues to coach and mentor, working with adults and children from all backgrounds and situations. While competing and also now after her career going to schools and programs of troubled youth and ex-inmates telling her story and what she did and how she used boxing as an outlet to save herself from depression, suicide, and substance abuse.
In 2023, she hosted an all-female amateur boxing tournament in her hometown at Whaling City Boxing; where it all began. Having faced extreme struggle and adversity as an amateur, she saw the tournament as another outlet for females to showcase their skills.
She also hosts frequent club and LBC shows for the youth, elite, and masters.
She owns and operates Shelito’s Way Boxing out of Providence, Rhode Island.
In November 2023, she was the FIRST woman fighter to ever be inducted into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame.
In 2016, she was the FIRST female fighter to ever win “Professional fighter of the year” award at the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame.
In her entire career, Shelly fought for equality, women’s rights, equal pay, and time featured on television. She is an incredible, inspiring woman who never gives up despite numerous setbacks and traumas in her past.
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