Inside the Ropes With Women’s Boxer Trista Arnesen

Inside the Ropes With Women’s Boxer Trista Arnesen

This summer marks the first time women’s boxing will be held as an Olympic event, and in addition to showing the ongoing progression of the sport, it also shows that it is no longer a “Boy’s Only” club.

While Stanhope resident Trista Arnesen may not have immediate plans to embark on a journey to prepare for the 2016 Olympics—although it is not out of the realm of possibility—the 28-year-old finds her way to Aces Boxing Club in Boonton six days a week where she laces the gloves up and works diligently at improving at her craft.

Nearly five years ago Trista stepped into a boxing gym for the first time for the sole purpose of purchasing training sessions for her now husband.

“While I was there, I was told that they held women’s classes and that the first class was complimentary,” said Trista. “Needless to say, I loved my first boxing workout; I was addicted after that first night, signed up immediately and haven’t looked back since.”

What began as a hobby and a means of training has quickly transformed into working towards a goal—Trista has her eyes set on August to make her amateur debut under the tutelage and watchful eye of owner and head coach of Aces Boxing Club—Joe Zabry.

“I would love to step between the ropes and get my first amateur fight,” said Trista. “I’ve been training daily and really try to listen to the advice from Coach Joe and the more experienced boxers, and implement it into my training regime. If I’m able to take on a few fights, I’d love to do it.”

Outside of the ring Trista balances a full-time job with her married life, and come the fall she will be returning to school to finish her last semester of nursing school. Her genuine and personable demeanor she maintains with her fellow boxers is a testament to her character, although once she puts the gloves on it is all business.

On several occasions she has proven she is there to get work in, never shying away from a chance to spar with one of her male counterparts.

“I love boxing for a lot of reasons,” said Trista. “The small club feel, feeling the team environment shared between the other boxers at the gym. I like going in to spar and feeling like ‘one of the guys’ and not just some silly girl trying to do a ‘man’s sport.”

In any sport it is tough for a woman to feel at home when surrounded by a gym full of men, though Trista has established herself as a credible fighter with a vicious left hook and unrelenting desire to continue to get better within the squared circle.

“Boxing is appealing to me because it is a great cardiovascular workout and I love the sense of accomplishment it gives me,” said Trista. “I enjoy being pushed to train harder and in boxing, you can always be training harder.”

There’s an old adage in boxing…You play baseball, you play basketball, you play football…you don’t play boxing…you fight.

Trista Arnesen displays that conviction and determination each time she steps into Aces Boxing Club and goes to work with her team. A leader by example and someone other’s look to for motivation, the hard hitter with fast hands has the talent and desire to make a big impact within the women’s amateur boxing scene, and undoubtedly will find success in any endeavor she embarks upon inside and out of the ring.

“I’d have to say that I was extremely lucky to walk into the boxing gym five years ago and meet Coach Joe Zabry,” says Trista. “I’ve been lucky enough to be training and working out with him ever since; he’s an incredible coach and an all-around great guy. I love that he pushes me and doesn’t care what the excuse of the day is.

He wants his fighters to train harder than anyone else, and he makes sure they do, that’s for sure.”

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