Article published in Dropline.biz on March 20, 2006

Mia St. John─“Boxing Beauty”

By Dino M. Zaffina

Mia St. John, a proud Mexican-American woman was born Mia Rosales in San Francisco, California.She later became Mia St. John when she married actor Kristoff St. John from the Young and the Restless. The two were married for seven years and they have two children together, 16 year-old, Julian and 13 year-old, Paris. Mia spoke candidly about Kristoff, she said, “He is a wonderful father and he remains close to me.”

Mia began her competitive fighting career at age six. This was not in boxing, but in Tae Kwon Do, a sport that she was very interested in and one that she excelled in quickly throughout her adolescence and early adult life; earning a record of 27 wins and only 1 loss; and earning a black belt.

Mia, knowing the enormous value of an education, attended and graduated (in 1994) from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. During her stint at the university, Mia paid her way through school doing print work in modeling for posters and calendars. She said, “It was tough sometimes trying to hide the bruises from my Tae Kwon Do matches.” She explained, “I mostly modeled bikinis because it was the easiest and quickest payday.”

St. John began her professional boxing career without amateur bouts. She started under the promotion of Don King, later  transferring to the promotion of Bob Arum, and then Dan Goosen. Afterwards she became independent, making business arrangements with the highest bidder.

Mia is trained by former world Lightweight champion Roberto Garcia. Her mother Maria Rosales is also part of her team. “My mother has been part of my team my whole life,” says Mia. Ms. Rosales continues to work with Mia and gives her fighting advice.

Mia “The Knockout” St. John is currently the IFBA Lightweight Champion of the World. Her fight record stands at 42 Wins / 6 Loses / 2 Draws / 17 KOs. (Mia’s Fight Record).

The upcoming April 1, 2006, fight in Nogales, Arizona presented by Palo Duro Golf Creek and Ringside Sports is a six round bout with Shelby “Girl” Walker. This fight does not involve St. John defending her championship title. St. John, a Latina fighter battling a blonde hair/blue eyed opponent in a border city with Mexico, clearly makes her the favor.

Mia Rosales-St. John is not just beautiful, a boxer, but she is also a smart business woman. She has parlayed her professional boxing career and good looks into a valuable commodity. First, posing in the November 1999 issue of Playboy (which also landed her the cover), provided for appearances on a number of television shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, The Best Damn Sports Show, and recently on The John Salley Block Party on 100.3 “The Beat,” and The Insider (airing March 20, 2006).

Second, St. John has performed in commercials and has made appearances (as herself) on a number of television shows, including Pacific Blue and Extreme Dodgeball. Third, she also has her own Playstation video game manufactured by EA Sports.

When asked about posing in Playboy, Mia responded, “First and foremost, they met my requirements as far as money.” “I knew that initial paycheck would lead to more additional paychecks which it did.” “It was a marketing tool to lead to endorsement deals.”

Mia has a fitness DVD (“Mia St. John’s Million Dollar Workout”) available in stores everywhere, including Wal-Mart, Power, Best Buy, Borders and on her official website (www.miastjohn.com). The 30 minute workout DVD is available in English and Spanish. “The workout includes a lot of boxing. It is broken up into rounds, with a speed round. There is also kicking because I spent 23 years in Tae Kwon Do. I had to put the kicking in there because I get a lot of my power from my lower body. It is important to have strong legs. I use my lower half for my power in boxing,” says Mia. “The main thing about the workout that I want women to know is that it is not just about losing weight. It is about having the right amount of muscle, so that you look toned and hard; and not skinny and giggly.” Mia further explains, “This reaches out to mothers, as well as all other women. It lets them know that it doesn’t matter what age you are or how many children you’ve had, you can still tone up and be in great shape.” (Mia’s DVD).

St. John has two books being published. A Fitness and Health book coming out this year and her Memoirs coming out in 2007.

Mia was asked if she was interested in acting and she replied very candidly, “Acting is an art. My ex-husband had to go to the set and memorize so many lines each day. He is very talented at what he does. That requires a lot of skill and dedication. I do not do anything unless my heart and soul is completely into it. I have to be so passionate about something to do it. I couldn’t devote that to acting. If I can’t do something 100 percent, I won’t do it. I do not have a passion for acting. Therefore, for me it is a waste of time.”

Mia St. John does, however, have a passion for commentating. She has been hired by ESPN and a lot of the pay-for-view fights. “I am building up my skills as a commentator. I would like to land a contract once I retire from boxing,” Mia stated.

St. John is also passionate about helping others. She has created a charity foundation El Saber Es Poder Foundation (translation: “Knowledge is Power”). This organization holds a holiday festival every December. Throughout the year, St. John’s foundation works with other charitable organizations. She wants to make a difference in this world. St. John said, “I started this foundation to help Latinos in California progress in this country. Minorities have been oppressed for so many years and the most important tool that they can have is education.”

For more information on Mia St. John go to her official website: www.miastjohn.com.

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