Senior Masters Amateur Boxer Melinda Obal began her boxing journey at 45 years old. With a B.S. in Health and Human Performance in 2003, she taught Senior Fitness, afterschool programs, and took a boxing class that changed her life.
She continued to train getting stronger and overcoming debilitating asthma for the next 15 years. Right before her 60th birthday, it was now or never, and she decided to put it all to the test and compete.
Obal getting her hands wrapped by WBC Champion Shelley Burton
Her first match at 150 lbs., took place in Texas against Debora Tedford, who had several bouts. Melinda won that first match and the next three. Now with 9 fights, she has won some and lost some, but the love of the sport keeps her wanting more, one more round, one more bout.
Melinda is coached by WBC Champion Shelley Burton. Melinda met her at a local gym when Shelley came into help train. Shelley was intense, encouraging, and funny.
Obal said, “I kept my head down and just worked as hard as I could. One day, as we were wrapping hands for class, she was telling me a lot of people were asking her to hold mitts and do personal training, but she had gone to the gym owner and asked if she could personally train me….ME! I was dumbfounded. She asked if I was still competing and I said yes, I love training and competing. She said OK then, I will train you.”
“It has only been a year, but Shelley’s technical training has made it the most significant year of boxing in my now 20 years in the sport. She is an amazing knowledgeable, intuitive trainer and coach. We now have our own personal private gym with a 16’ ring, bags and all the fixings. The synchronicity of life is amazing,” added Obal.
“My last competition was the Las Vegas Masters Invitational, in February of 2023. I feel I am still getting better and still learning. So many cannot understand why I workout so hard, put myself in a ring in a combative sport, at my age…lol. It is because I couldn’t do it in my youth. I am stronger, fitter, and have more tenacity in my 60’s than I have ever had in my life. Why not now?” said Obal.
Obal said that is all that we have is now, and WBAN totally agrees! You go girl and we wish you the best!
Obal told WBAN, “I must live what is in front of me, what excites me and makes me strong. Boxing, for me, is the fountain of youth.”
Asking Obal who was her current favorite boxer right now and she said Jessica McCaskill. She went on to say that her and her coach Rick Ramos brought their female amateur boxer to the Atlanta Classic All Female Boxing Tournament one year. That they spoke to them about work and business ethics, building the team and training champions.
“Then after my fight that day, I sat by them, and they were the most encouraging people I have ever met. They toasted my win and gasped that I was 60. Life doesn’t get any better than this.”
About the Author
