Virginia Fuchs

Early Life and College

Fuchs was born in Houston, Texas. Fuchs became interested in sports at a young age and played soccer, softball, and basketball as a child. She attended Episcopal High School where she ran track and cross-country.

Her athletic abilities earned her an invitation for walk-on spot on the track and cross-country team at Louisiana State University. Fuchs graduated from LSU in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology.

Boxing career

Fuchs first tried boxing her sophomore year of college to stay in shape for cross-country. After a coach took interest in her, she dedicated her focus to boxing in 2008. She trained for a year before her first fight, which she won.

She began to compete at the state level and won three Louisiana state Golden Gloves, and later won a national Golden Gloves title in 2015. Fuchs is a finalist for the US National Tournament for 2013, 2014, and 2015.

When it was announced that women’s boxing would be added to the 2012 Olympic Games, Fuchs tried for a spot on the USA Boxing team, but American flyweight boxer and Olympic medalist Marlen Esparza received the only flyweight position. Fuchs finished fourth at the Olympic Test Event.

Fuchs trained for the next Olympic Test Event at Baby Bull Boxing Academy, founded by American professional boxer Juan Diaz in Houston, Texas.

In October 2015, she faced and defeated Esparza in the Olympic Test Event for the USA Boxing flyweight spot for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Fuchs has also defeated Olympic medalist and five-time world champion, Mary Kom of India. Fuchs won gold at the Olympic Trials Test Event.

Fuchs finished in third place at the 2016 American Qualification Event for AIBA.

Fuchs won 1st in the 2016 USA Boxing Nationals defeating Marlene Esparza for the third straight time with a unanimous 5-0 decision.

Influences

Fuchs cites Olympian and runner Steve Prefontaine as an inspiration for her athletic career.

She has also received advice from professional boxer Oscar De La Hoya.