5'5" super middleweight Laura "Lady Ram" Ramsey was born Laura Alysia Ramsey on November 13, 1969 in Lake Wales, Florida to Annie (a food service worker) and Henry Ramsey (a contractor).
She began her athletic career at age 6 in YMCA basketball and Little League softball. In 4th grade she began taking piano lessons. In the 5th grade she learned to play the flute-a-phone and learned how to ride a unicycle. By the 6th grade she graduated to playing clarinet and ukulele. Throughout middle and high school she was involved in many sports, including basketball, volleyball, softball, and track.
Laura's father died in the summer of 1986 and after this loss she became pregnant at age 16. Due to graduate from high school in spring of 1987 and set to attend college on a basketball scholarship, Laura felt as though her life was crumbling (according to her bio as sent to WBAN), but with her best efforts she tried to keep a positive attitude and push forward through life’s struggles. As trials and tribulations would test her, she became more agitated - holding all inside and forming an inner drive and desire like that of a ram, thus leading to being referred to as “Lady Ram”.
Laura attended college on volleyball, basketball, and softball scholarships and she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management. After college she became employed by Doyle Baseball, a company that offers baseball and softball instruction. One year later, she worked for Florida’s Natural, a world-renowned citrus company, until 1997. From 1994 to 1996, she was involved in women’s national power lifting and semi-pro baseball.
Laura began boxing training in 1996 at Winter Haven Police Athletic League with Jack Leonard and Tony Morgan. In 1997, taking a “leap of faith”, she accepted a draft offer to play professionally in the Women’s Professional Fastpitch league on the Charlotte, North Carolina based team.
At the beginning of her second year of professional softball, she sustained a career-ending injury that left a plate and four screws in her left hand. Upon returning to Florida, she began working with Polk County School Board and became involved in coaching volleyball, basketball, and softball at various local high schools.
In 2001, she formed Lake Wales Boxing Team to help neighborhood teens focus their attention on something constructive. With no sheltered place to train, they met at a nearby park where a heavy bag was hung and other boxing equipment was pulled from the trunk of Ramsey’s car. After entering the Lake Wales Christmas parade Lady Ram decided to become officially registered with United States Amateur Boxing, the governing body of Olympic amateur boxing.


Q: I was very surprised when I read how you came to boxing. You have really traveled a long and winding road. It seems as if sports was your "salvation" in many respects and your way of improving your life and getting stability. Is that impression correct?
A: I agree to a point...From the age of 6, when I was involved with the local YMCA basketball league, up to the present time, I have always excelled at every sport I attempted. Due to my parents being at work, I initially became involved in these activities just to keep "busy". Once I realized that I had "special" talents, my motive of involvement was to test my abilities against others of the same level. I guess I did this to see if I could improve more and become the best in the county.

Q: Of all the sports you've been involved in which sport do you love more, boxing, basketball, volleyball softball, baseball? Did I miss any?
A: You missed track and weightlifting...I am learning to love boxing...However, for many years it was basketball; then, it changed to softball because that was just an easy sport to learn and play...Soon, weightlifting became my sport of passion; again, because it was easy to excel at and it enhanced my appearance. Boxing is a sport that changes your life; sort of like a religion...it touches parts of my soul that the other sports failed to do.

Q: Lake Wales seemed to solidify your boxing goals. Was there someone who you aspired to be like, any female or male boxers you would like to emulate?
A: When I was younger I used to follow Jackie Joyner-Kersey (track) and Zina Garrison (tennis) because I thought they were amazing women athletes. Now, there's Jackie Kallen (boxing) and Condelezza Rice (politics) who are powerful women in their realm. My aspirations are of people who have made an impact in society; those who broke racial and gender barriers and were not afraid to tread against the grain. I have been called' Lady Tyson", though; I think I do have a little "Mike" in me.
This whole boxing idea came from a lady living in Jacksonville, Florida. She made comments about me having the demeanor of a boxer as we were watching the Christy Martin vs. Andrea Deshong match back in 1996. She stated that she thought I would be good at it. I thought to myself, "Why does this lady, who doesn't even know me, have confidence in me while I don't in myself."
So, after about 6 months of pondering the idea, I began inquiring about boxing in the area which led me to Winter Haven PAL where I began training and sparring with the male welterweight prospect, Andre' Berto. We have often shared the same trainer for about 10 years, and watching his style is what most boxers in that gym mocked. I guess, Berto would be the boxer I would emulate.

Q: How do you earn a living?
A: I have been employed by G4S-Avon Park Youth Academy for seven years. My current title is Administrative Dean (acting Assistant Principal) that consists of overseeing 200 males ages 15-18 in an alternative high school and assisting them in earning their diploma. Also, I am the owner and sole trainer at Lady Ram's Self Enhancement Center in Auburndale, Florida. Lastly, as you know, I'm a professional boxer.

Q: How do you make time for a personal life?
A: On the idle Saturdays and Sundays I spend time with my grandson. Most of this time will be spent going to church, fishing, doing chores, or to a movie. That's as personal as I need my life to be right now.

Q: How many children and /or grandchildren do you have?
A: I have one daughter, Alysia, and one grandson, Arquis.

Q: Have you found, as I have, that grandchildren are what we receive as a reward for motherhood?
A: Yes, even though at first I thought it would be punishment. I have found the joy of my life in my grandson. He lifts my spirit, when my feelings are out of sync.

Q: Tell us more about the Lady Ram's Self-Enhancement Center. What is it and what is its purpose?
A: The Self-Enhancement Center is a boxing fitness center that incorporates physical, mental, and social concepts to enhance one's overall "self". It offers a 20- station circuit training program designed to improve all components of personal fitness, including individual training in a full size boxing ring. The Center, also, serves as home of the Polk County Boxing Team and of "Lady Ram."

Q: You don't have a manager or a trainer, why?
A: A LONG STORY; but since you asked:
I have chosen not to have a manager because the purses are like "peanuts" as it is. After the manager takes his "nuts", only the shell is left...Not having a trainer is a different story...Since 1996 I have been under the guidance of many trainers. I have not found one that fits with my hectic schedule. Because I work one hour south of where I reside, there's limited access to trainers. In order to reach the locations of where most trainers are, I would have to drive at least 2 hours after working an 8-hours shift.
Although I have driven this far before, it became expensive and began to wear on my body; the car as well. On several occasions made the 4-hour drive on Fridays to train with Bonnie Canino down in Dania, Florida (just south of Ft. Lauderdale). I know if I want to improve, I must sacrifice which is what I've done for some time. My daughter was due to have the baby in April 2004 and I was planning to open the Self-Enhancement Center in July, so I figured I would focus all of my attention on the business and once the doors opened a "floating" trainer would walk through the door any day... a few did, some called, but no one ever agreed to train me on a consistent basis and actually followed though with it...Therefore, I had no trainer...It wasn't until 2 weeks before the Erin Toughill rematch did my new trainer, Terry Washington from Los Angeles, and I met for training sessions. If we can keep the gap closed between Florida and California we will continue as Team Ramsey...In the meantime, I'll continue the "milkshake" training; getting mitt work from my daughter, sparring the amateur guys from the Center, training on sidewalks and in parking lots, where ever I can find the perfect opportunity to gain knowledge and improve my skills.

Q: You will be 37 years old in November. What are your plans for your future, both inside and outside the ring?
A: I will be a young "37".....My plans are to compete professionally for a few more "healthy" years. I have already laid the foundation for retirement. Along with the Self-Enhancement Center, I am a certified coach with US Amateur Boxing and single-handedly manage the Polk County Boxing Team. Also, I assist 2 professional male boxers with their training regimen. Some of my future goals consist of managing and promoting professional boxers.

Q: Boxing is a pretty brutal sport and a difficult way to earn a living, especially for a woman. Do you think that programs such as "A Ring Of Their Own" can facilitate the transition for young female boxers to reach the next level, get exposure and hopefully earn a living at it?
A: I agree..."A Ring of Their Own" and other comparable programs provide pro females’ exposure. As far as boxers reaching the next level, that depends on what you mean; I would agree if you're referring to amateurs moving into the pro circuit or pros trying to move up the rankings. But, if you mean improving their skills, that is dependent upon the individual's training regimen and their trainer...On the other hand, if females boxers (or females thinking about entering pro boxing) are hoping to earn a living at it...keep hoping...There's a few that have various resources, whether endorsements or pure perseverance...but the reality is, even the best female boxers still struggle to earn decent paydays...After being a professional boxer for 2 1/2 years and currently ranked 2 in the USA and 3 in the World (BOX.REC.com Super Middleweight), I still need three professions to earn a living...

Q: I was at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe on August 31st. I saw you knock Erin Toughill out of the ring in the first round. This was a rematch between you and Erin, were you surprised by the outcome?
A: Yes... I was surprised by the first round KO, but not by the win. Terry kept telling me that it could be done, but not to look for it. I was prepared for 6 rounds of pure power punching, if I needed to; my cut man, Anthony, said this fight shouldn't go past 3 rounds. The first match between Erin and I were, in my opinion, MUCH, MUCH closer than the scorecards read. There were several times Erin was stunned by the punches, but I didn't capitalize on it. I wanted to make sure this time that no one questioned the decision.

Q: Do you plan to fight her again?
A: I have no plans, no interest, no reason, and no need to fight Erin again...I was excited when I was called for the rematch! With the first match we exchanged rankings. I just wanted my ranking back...BUT...IF we could make a reasonable deal, I would LOVE to fight Erin again......As a matter of fact, I even was propositioned before I left Lake Tahoe.

Thank you Laura Ramsey for taking time out of your very busy schedule to talk candidly with Femmefan.com.

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