Oakland Tribune, Oct 11, 2006

SAN CARLOS -- Inside Undisputed Boxing Gym, women squeeze 10- pound medicine balls between their legs while holding another over their heads in an attempt to bring the two together. Abs and legs burning, sweat dripping off their brows, they struggle and force their bodies through dozens of push-ups, squats and finally what they came for -- boxing.

And after an hour and a half on a warm Monday night, they are winded and slumped over, but oddly enough, psyched. "I can't make it through the class without resting," said Michele Regalado, a 47-year-old from Belmont. "It's such a challenge, but it's so good."

Boxing has traditionally been associated with men such as Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, but just like rugby, women are starting to pick it up -- in droves. Bright and sleek on Industrial Road, Undisputed Boxing Gym's facilities belie the grimy, dimly lit stereotype of a testosterone- dominated boxing gym. The gym has two boxing rings, speed bags and punching bags suspended from the ceiling, but the intimidating, seedy side of the violent sport is softened. Those who take the classes wrap their hands and wrists and put on gloves, just like a fighter. But instead of a person, their opponent is a faceless moving bag.

It's partly this lighter touch, and the fact that women have discovered boxing's heart-pumping workout, that has contributed to the success Brian Schwartz and Eddie Croft have discovered since opening the 7,000-square-foot gym. The pair are even poised to acquire an additional 1,700 square feet of space next door to put in showers and a locker room.

Schwartz and Croft, who met in a kickboxing class as teenagers, opened the gym in September and so far 70 percent of their membership is women. Total, their business now boasts about 160 active members.

"The women love it because it focuses on all the areas," Schwartz said. "And you're training like a fighter."

While most of these women are simply seeking a good workout through a host of conditioning classes, there are a few women who are looking for a fight -- literally.

Courtney Ogawa, 31, of Mountain View, has been boxing on and off for three years. Her trainer is Croft. At 106 pounds, Ogawa is a light flyweight. She wants more women to box, but has a hard time finding competitors in her category.

Still, she trains twice a day, first at 6 a.m. and then at 5:30 p.m.

"I started out as the person who wanted to get in shape," said Ogawa, who would walk into her office with a black eye. "And it evolved to getting into competitions. I also want to prove to Eddie that I'm serious. I want to excel."

Croft, a 37-year-old from Pacifica, fought in the Golden Gloves in 1988, 1990 and 1991. His last fight was in 1999, even after he suffered nerve damage in his left eye.

He now sees through his right eye, but he still abides by the message tattooed on his chest in Japanese.

"Move as fast as the wind, as quiet as the forest, as powerful and destructive as fire, and immovable like a mountain," Croft said. "That's what you aspire to be in battle."

Schwartz retired last year as World Super Middleweight Champion after a six-year professional kickboxing career. The 32-year-old San Carlos resident said it was the perfect time for him and Croft to start teaching. "Kickboxing gave me so much as a kid, allowing me to excel in something," he said. "I wanted to pass on some of the skills we benefited from. It was the natural thing to do." To Croft, the gym offers kids not interested in team sports such as football or basketball another option. "I feel boxing is the ultimate individual sport," Croft said, while his other student, 23-year-old Santos Soto, shadow-boxed behind him in the ring. "It gives people a lot of confidence and self-esteem. We teach how to punch, kick, how to develop power and speed."

He does caution that while women and men learn some self-defense moves, it doesn't necessarily mean students are ready to fight. "You're not practicing to block punches or block kicks," Croft said. "The things that we teach can be used, if delivered properly, as an effective form of self-defense, but you have to deliver techniques in a high-stress situation. Without sparring, you're never going to learn to do that."

Getting ready to take a "boot camp" class, Michele Regalado said she likes that there are women in the class. She may even spar someday. "My upper body feels strong," she said. "Boxing puts you in the best shape. I'm spreading the word."