By Lorenzo Recupero
Everett native Shayna Foppiano’s pro boxing debut was a knockout – literally.
In her third career bout, the powerful 27-year old Foppiano put her undefeated record (2-0-1, 1 KO) to the test against fellow Everett boxer Raquel Santos at the Twin River Casino and Hotel in Rhode Island, part of the Classic Entertainment & Sports Boxing showcase there this past weekend.
Foppiano didn’t score a knockout this time around but pulled off a majority decision victory, outlasting Santos in the their four round lightweight matchup.
The faceoff was Santos’ pro debut and Foppiano’s first against someone from her hometown, much to her delight and surprise.
“I found out who I was fighting on ESPN.com before the fight and thought to myself ‘Wow that’s really cool’,” said Foppiano, who didn’t know until two weeks prior that she’d be going up against another Everett native.
The victory, admittedly not an easy one, though, wasn’t as unexpected for Foppiano.
“I came forward a more aggressive fighter this time around,” said Foppiano, who followed up a draw in her previous fight with the win over Santos.
She said she realized the fight was hers to win after withstanding a hard hit from Santos in the third round.
“In the third round I got caught with a very good punch and I just made a decision in my mind at that point to fight even harder,” she said. “From there, once I had her on her heels and moving back, I knew I had it,” said Foppiano, who utilized a consistent and effective jab to earn the decision.
Santos (0-1) may have dropped her debut, but not the level of respect she earned from Fappiano.
“I respect anyone that can walk up those steps and fight [in the ring], you just never know what’s going to happen,” said Fappiano of Santos’ effort. “She’s tough, with great heart,” she said.
Foppiano’s big win is just the next phase in her journey to become one of the best female boxers in the sport. Since 19 years old she’s been training to reach her goal and for the last 2 plus years as a professional she’s been defending it.
“[From here] I’ll get back to the gym after Thanksgiving and wait for the next fight,” said Foppiano, who aspires to one day be the feature fight on a pay-per-view nationally televised card.
“That’s the goal, grind away until we get to that point. Eventually, I see myself there,” said Foppiano.
She credits her trainer, Joe Lake, for getting her to this point “mentally and physically” and expects to be back in the ring early next year.