Pound for Pound | ESPN W by Cassandra Giraldo

"Pound for Pound" | Photo Assignment for ESPNW. Published in 2016. Full article here.

Boxer Shelly "Shelito&... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly "Shelito's Way" Vincent, has breakfast at 7 a.m. at her hotel the day of her fight against Heather Hardy at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly "Shelito's Way" Vincent, has breakfast with her fiancé, fellow boxer, Jennifer "The Bolivian Queen" Salinas at their hotel the day of Shelly's fight against Heather Hardy in Coney Island. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Shelly "Shelito&#3... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Shelly "Shelito's Way" Vincent points at her fiancé, fellow fighter, Jennifer "The Bolivian Queen" Salinas' tattoo of her fighting name "Shelito's Way." Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent gets ready... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent gets ready for a nap at her hotel in Queens the day of her fight against Heather Hardy in Coney Island. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent with her f... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent with her fiancé, fellow boxer Jennifer Salinas, left, at their hotel in Queens the day of her fight against Heather Hardy in Coney Island. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016, at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Shelly Vincent's boxing... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Shelly Vincent's boxing shoes are placed on her bed in preparation for her fight against Heather Hardy in Coney Island. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent usually we... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent usually wears V for Vendetta masks when she gets into the ring as a symbol for the monster that was created when she was raped at the age of 13. Here, is a spraypainted mask in preparation for her fight against Heather Hardy. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Shelly Vincent's fianc&... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Shelly Vincent's fiancé Jennifer Salinas lays out Shelly's uniform as well as the photo of Shelly's deceased mother Tania who died of leaukemia, which Shelly takes to all her fights. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent, left, and... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent, left, and her fiancé, fellow boxer Jennifer Salinas, right, get ready in their hotel bathroom before heading to the Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island for Shelly's fight against Heather Hardy. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent carries a ... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent carries a poster of her mother Tania who she lost to leukemia at a young age, to the Ford Amphitheater on her way to fight Heather Hardy. She brings the photo to every fight. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent in her dre... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent in her dressing room at the Ford Amphitheater with her trainer Peter Manfredo Senior who wraps her hands before the fight against Heather Hardy. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Vincent's fianc&eac... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Vincent's fiancé Jennifer Salinas helps Shelly Vincent put on her V for Vendetta masks inside their dressing room at the Ford Amphitheaterbefore the fight against Heather Hardy. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent inside her... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent inside her dressing room at the Ford Amphitheater before her fight against Heather Hardy. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent rests in h... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent rests in her dressing room at the Ford Amphitheater with her step daughter Gigi Morales, 9, left, before the fight against Heather Hardy. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent does her w... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent does her walk to the mainstage at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island on her way to fight Heather Hardy. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Shelly Vincent fans cheer as sh... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Shelly Vincent fans cheer as she climbs into the ring at the Ford Amphitheater on Sunday. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent and her tr... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent and her trainer Peter Manfredo Senior in between rounds during her fight against Heather Hardy on Sunday. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 August 21 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Featherweight boxers Heather Ha... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 August 21 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Fans yell and cheer during the ... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Fans yell and cheer during the Shelly Vincent and Heather Hardy fight on Sunday at the Ford Amphitheater. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Heather Hardy is announced the ... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Heather Hardy is announced the winner at the end of the fight. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday,August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Shelly Vincent reacts to her de... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Shelly Vincent reacts to her defeat against Heather Hardy. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 August 21 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent hugs her s... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent hugs her step daughter Gigi Morales, 9, after her loss against Heather Hardy. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent looks at t... Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

Boxer Shelly Vincent looks at the bandaged cut on her face in the dressing room bathroom after she loses her fight against Heather Hardy. Featherweight boxers Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent fight for the WBC international women’s title to settle their long rivalry in the ring on Sunday, August 21, 2016 August 21 at Ford Amphitheater in Coney Island. Their fight is the first women’s fight to air on NBCSN. (Cassandra Giraldo for ESPN) Brooklyn USA

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