Published: 10/30/2011 - Updated: 1 year ago

Girl Boxers Become Ring Leaders

Youth are changing traditional "boy sport" at Monroe boxing gym. CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO VIEW FULL PHOTO, START SLIDE SHOW.

Boxing coach Todd Riggs works with Courtney Mink, 17, of Monroe, at a boxing gym located inside Lincoln Elementary School in Monroe, Mich.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Boxing coach Todd Riggs works with Courtney Mink, 17, of Monroe, at a boxing gym located inside Lincoln Elementary School ... THE BLADE/LORI KING

Courtney Mink, 17, right, of Monroe, is one of several girls who can be found at the boxing gym inside Lincoln Elementary School in Monroe, Mich.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Courtney Mink, 17, right, of Monroe, is one of several girls who can be found at the boxing gym inside ... THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Hailey Eagle, 12, left, of Monroe, practices shadow boxing. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Heaven Hammock, 15, of Monroe, jumps rope during boxing practice. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Courtney Mink, 17, holds the feet of Taylor Carroll, 15, while Derek Shippey, 30, holds the feet of Heaven Hammock, 15, during a workout.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Courtney Mink, 17, holds the feet of Taylor Carroll, 15, while Derek Shippey, 30, holds the feet of Heaven Hammock,... THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Hailey Eagle, 12, wraps her hands after her first-ever week of boxing. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Coach and retired boxer Todd Riggs says girls lack other female opponents in their age brackets or weight classes. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Hailey Eagle, 12, practices shadow boxing in the mirror with boys at Joe's ALCC Boxing Club in Monroe. THE BLADE/LORI KING

Girl Boxers Become Ring Leaders

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