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Parks Defeated in Title Match: Boxer Outpointed in Championship Bout in Colorado

Posted on: Saturday, 11 March 2006, 12:00 CST

By The Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, Wash.

Mar. 11--It wasn't the result Grace Parks wanted, but she'll be happy with the effort.

Parks was defeated by Akima Stocks 29-19 in the 154-pound women's final at the USA Boxing National Championships on Friday in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Parks, a two-time Washington State Golden Gloves champion, had no regrets after the loss.

"She was really tough," she said in a phone interview after the fight. "I came out and didn't really feel my legs. I don't move that much when I feel that. I did my best."

Parks said Stocks, of New Jersey, constantly threw punches from start to finish.

"It's harder to break everything and get out of the way," Parks said. "I tried, but a lot of them connected. She was almost the same style I was. She would move around ... a puncher and a boxer."

Parks, 25, plans to take the next two weeks off, but also has visions of returning to next year's national championships.

"Maybe I'll look forward to beating (Stocks) next year," she said.

In the semifinals, Parks beat rival and two-time USA Boxing national champion Tiffany Junot 40-16 in the semifinals on Thursday. Parks had lost to Junot in the finals at the Women's National Golden Gloves tournament in Chicago.

What's next up for Parks?

"I'm going to come home and relax," she said. "I need a rest."

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, Wash.

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Source: The Bellingham Herald, Wash.

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