Part 4: an interview with Alessandra AmbrosioTom: so today's episode we are talking to a retired fighter who now helps to train her friend Kendall Jenner. Please welcome via video link Alessandra Ambrosio.
(Alessandra appears on screen at the Girls Friday gym. She is in front of their sparring ring wearing a black sports bra and black lycra shorts with her hair in a ponytail. Waving to the camera with a big smile.)Tom: it's great to have you Alessandra. Now we have to start by saying that you were a hell of a fighter in the ring. How do you look back on your own career?
Alessandra: first thank you for having me here. My career... I had a lot of fun. That was the main thing for me when I got into this. Adriana (Lima) had pestered me to get into the ring, spar her and hell maybe make money fighting each other. She wore me down as honestly I was happy doing runs and weights for my fitness but the Girls Friday stable came to me with more then just me fighting. They came with a project they had in mind.
Tom: what was the project exactly?
Alessandra: simple, they signed me up first and then asked me which models I felt could be great to join the stable. I'd seen the likes of Joan (Smalls) and Kelly (Gale) doing bag work. Hell one of the best sparrings sessions in the build up to a Victoria Secret show was Kelly Vs Adriana. They agreed to go a few rounds and by the end all of us other girls were watching and cheering them on.
Before you ask Adriana got the nod from most people that she won that session. The big thing I took away from it was the heart of Kelly as she kept coming even when Adriana was muscling her back at times. I made a list and you saw the roster changes they made when I signed, I am proud to have been part of that.
Tom: now it should be said that while you help train some of those stars in your stable. You yourself still work out in the ring. We have a picture, admittedly not the best but one that shows you at a workout in your stables gym.
Alessandra: still got it I see haha. Yeah I sometimes hit the heavy bag and spar with Kendall. Partly for her to keep her sharp. Partly for me so I can take out any aggression I need to work on.
Tom: well could a comeback be on the works?
Alessandra: haha no not for the moment. I have seen the cougar divisions and while I do think I'd do well in them. I had a dream retirement. Why ruin a perfect moment to come back for more bruises. If there was a dream fight that would excite me then never say never.
Honestly I am loving working with Kendall and Kelly. I am loving being around these girls as they strive for success and I get a nice paycheck to do it. Unless it was something I felt I needed to do then you won't see me lacing up the gloves to settle any scores or such. Even if Adriana bugs me to take her on *winking* haha. I am joking before she kills me.
Tom: haha. So you work alongside Gisele Bundchen as she is the head of the lightweight coaching. What is your role in the stable exactly?
Alessandra: I work predominantly with Kendall. She asked me when I retired if I could help her train. I also help with Kelly as I've said and if the girls need any advice or just someone to talk to, I am there for anyone. This sport is difficult to say the least. For five fights I stepped into that ring to deliver beatings and I took some myself. I have never hated anyone before but I had some well known rivalries that are happily done. The pressure on some nights to perform were greater then anything I've faced, even in modelling. So I want to help those coming after me to have someone who can relate.
Tom: that is wonderful to hear. Is there any models you see isn't signed to a stable or might be a potential rookie who should have an eye kept on them?
Alessandra: I am not as knowledgeable now I don't model as much. I did see two interesting winners of Sports Illustrated rookie of the year. One boxes and the other looked in great physical shape. So the first was a model from your country named Penny Lane. She looks in good shape and I heard from a few of the girls in the gym that she has sparred them and they seemed to think she has real talent.
The other was an American named Sharina Gutierrez. Now at thirty three she isn't young but I have seen photos of her and she is lean and toned. Honestly she reminds me a bit of myself, in another time we'd have probably been rivals. If she ever decided to step into the ring I think she could be an interesting prospect. Remember I proved you don't have to be eighteen to start boxing.
Tom: sadly that's all we have time for. Thank you so much Alessandra and I hope you have fun with your day.
Alessandra: thank you for having me on the show. I am going to make Kendall do extra laps for fun. *Winking*
Tom: on that note we are out of time folks. Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to read these posts. We hope you enjoyed them! Thank you also to Caspian and Knowlesley for the fights they wrote. We'll hopefully be back next Sunday morning without any issues for the next edition of the Real View.