Young girls typically start participating in sports like cheerleading, gymnastics, or ballet at the age of five. Staten Islander Laila Zakirova began placing gloves on pads in her father’s boxing gym at that age.
What started out as a means of teaching her self-defense techniques as a young child has developed into something quite remarkable. At the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships, which took place in Richmond, Virginia, from December 16–21, 2024, the senior from Tottenville High School was recently proclaimed the Female Youth National Champion. She also received the prestigious Most Outstanding Youth Female Boxer award for her performance at nationals.
That came after Team USA placed third in the U19 World Championships held in Pueblo, Colorado, in November.
This two-month tear, which saw Zakirova compete in the 112-pound weight class, has solidified her status as a formidable force on the world boxing scene. Her narrative starts at Bars Boxing Gym in Dongan Hills, which is owned by her father Akmal, a former kickboxing world champion.
Laila stated, “My dad always told me that I had a talent for it, but I didn’t realize it myself until I got my first USA Boxing junior belt, which was in 2021.” Additionally, I received the Outstanding Junior Female Boxer award, which helped me recognize my genuine aptitude for the sport and my desire to pursue it as a career.
The encouragement she has received from her family and training partners has helped her stay strong in the ring in a sport that emphasizes the individual. It’s a very solitary sport since you are the only one in the ring and no one else can assist you. She said that having a support network behind you is crucial because it might inspire you to take on challenges you may not have previously believed you were capable of.
Conventions have never stopped Zakirova from becoming a superb fighter; if necessary, she frequently honed her skills against boys at the gym.
“They know not to cross the line in any way to disrespect me because I’ve been fighting and sparring with boys my entire life,” she stated with assurance.
Not everyone is capable of playing this sport at such a high level, particularly girls. I believe my dad’s encouragement helped me overcome the difficulties. His constant advice to never give up was a major source of motivation for me to reach this point. “Until you make it possible, it’s only impossible,” she added.
Even after watching Zakirova spar almost ten years ago, it is clear that her footwork is a key component of her in-ring skill set, which she models after her boxing heroes.
Vasily Lomachenko, a professional boxer, is someone I admire for his footwork, ability to cut off angles, and usage of the ring to trap opponents. “I fight like him, and that’s similar to how I fight,” she remarked.
She also admires Katie Taylor, the Irish boxer who broke down barriers and has been the unchallenged and undisputed world super lightweight champion since 2023.
Laila Zakirova of Staten Island poses following her bronze medal win at the 2024 World Boxing U19 Championships, which took place in Pueblo, Colorado, and ended on November 2, 2024.Thanks to Laila Zakirova.
In addition to her recent trips to Colorado and Virginia, boxing has also taught Zakirova the value of travel. She has traveled to several states for camps and tournaments, citing the West Coast as a favorite.
The scenery in California is quite stunning, and I’ve visited the state on multiple occasions for the USA Boxing Team camp. On one occasion, I traveled to Utah for a nations tournament, but my opponents all withdrew by the time I arrived, leaving me without a combat partner. She laughed and replied, “I was just kind of there for vacation.” My dad and I decided to go skiing in the mountains on a day off. It was incredibly cool and unlike anything we have here in New York.
If Zakirova’s performance at the High Performance Selection Camp in Colorado in April secures her a spot on Team USA, she will soon get the chance to participate internationally in Germany later this year.
I haven’t had the opportunity to travel abroad, but this year I’m attending the youth selection camp, and if I make the squad, we’re going to Germany, which would be an incredible experience for me as I’ve never left the United States,” she said.
But Zakirova’s long-term goal would be to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, right here in America.
According to the Olympic hopeful, that is the ultimate objective and what we are going for.
Zakirova is a living example of what can happen when one isn’t afraid to defy expectations and pursue dreams with the people who matter by your side as she trains and works toward her ambitious yet very achievable goals.
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