With 40 years of experience in the ring, Jack Mook is no stranger to boxing. He can find the heart of a champion fighter – and he finds it in Mary Casamassa. “Mary is a special athlete,” he said. “This girl is pure Pittsburgh. This is a city built on champions.” Casamassa will step into the ring Saturday night to fight for her world title. Mook watches every jab in the corner. He has been Casamassa's coach for the past seven years, and “my first year with me, we went to the Golden Glove state finals,” Mook said. “In my opinion, she won easily. We've been on a roll ever since.” Casamassa is undefeated in her professional career. During her day, the 24-year-old Pitt graduate and civil engineer knows she's making boxing history. “It's a big battle for me,” she said. “This is the first women's 10-round raw title fight in Pittsburgh. I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait for Saturday.” Mary is preparing for the Women's International Boxing Association super middleweight title fight at Jack Boxing Gym. Well, I had some tough love from a gritty coach and a lot of support from my boxing family. “Honestly, this is a great gym,” she said. “I mean, I remember the first time I came here and I met Jack, and I thought, 'Wow, what a grumpy guy.' And over the years, we… We've become very close, and he's actually a lot of fun and a really warm guy.'' Mook knows about another battle his young fighter has overcome to get to this special night. Casamassa, who welcomed Bell on Saturday, will mark 18 years since he was diagnosed with diabetes. She is grateful for her every punch and every victory as she earns her place as center ring on the world stage. “I think that’s really cool, because if you,” d said to me when I was 6 years old and they put me on an IV in the emergency room, “you know what? “You're going to be fighting for a world title,” Casamassa said. “Mary earned it because Mr. Casamassa’s parents are in Florida and Mr. Casamassa’s three siblings live out of state and have served or are serving in the military. Her large and raucous boxing family, Mook said, will be cheering her on at Jack's Gym Saturday night at the Steamfitters Local Union 449 Event Center in Harmony.
With 40 years of experience in the ring, Jack Mook is no stranger to boxing. He can find the heart of a champion fighter – and he sees it in Mary Casamassa.
“Mary is a special athlete,” he said. “This girl is pure Pittsburgh. This is a city built on champions.”
Casamassa will take to the ring on Saturday night to fight for the world title. Mook watches every jab in the corner. He has been Casamassa's coach for the past seven years.
“My first year with me, we went to the Golden Glove state finals,” Mook said. “In my opinion, she won easily. We've been on a roll ever since.”
Casamassa is undefeated in his professional career. During her day, the 24-year-old Pitt graduate and civil engineer knows she's making boxing history.
“It's a big battle for me,” she said. “This is the first women's 10-round title fight to be held in Pittsburgh. I'm really looking forward to it. … I can't wait for Saturday.”
As Mary prepares for the Women's International Boxing Association super middleweight title, she receives some tough love from her gritty coach and plenty of support from her boxing family at Jack's Boxing Gym.
“Honestly, it’s a great gym,” she said. “I mean, I remember the first time I came here and I met Jack, and I thought, 'Wow, what a grumpy guy.' And over the years we became very We've become close, and he's actually a lot of fun and a really warm person.”
Mook knows about another battle his young fighter has overcome to reach this special night. When he answers the bell on Saturday, Casamassa will mark his 18th anniversary since being diagnosed with diabetes.
She is grateful for every punch and every win as she earns her place as center ring on the world stage.
“I think it's really amazing, because when I was in the emergency room when I was 6 years old, getting an IV and everything, they said, 'You're going to fight for a world title.' “If only he had,'' Casamassa said.
“Mary deserves attention and recognition for her accomplishments. She is such a special athlete,” Mook said.
Casamassa's parents are in Florida and his three brothers live out of state because they are in or are serving in the military, and the large and raucous boxing family from Jack's Gym takes part in the Saturday night Harmony. We will be cheering her on at the Steamfitters Local Union 449 Event Center in .
