A local woman from Marinette has put Peshitgo and Marinette, Wisconsin on the world map in the amateur boxing world. Naquana Smalls, coached by Willy Price of the Peshitgo Boxing Club, put on a great performance in the 2^nd Women's World Boxing Championships in Antalya, Turkey Oct. 21-28, 2002. Naquana, who is known as Ziggy in the amateur boxing community, placed 3rd in the tournament, acquiring her first international wins defeating Turkey and Korea. She lost by one point to Germany in the semi-finals, earning her a Bronze medal for the tournament in the 132 pound weight class. The Women's World Boxing Championships are a prelude to women's boxing being fully inducted into the Olympics.

At 19, Naquana was the youngest and only teenager of the 11 women that went to Turkey to represent the USA. In addition to being the first woman to represent the state of Wisconsin on an international level in women's amateur boxing, Naquana is also the National Champion and #1 ranked amateur women's boxer in the 132 pound weight class in the USA. With only seven months in the gym, she has a very promising future in women's boxing. She has been very active competing in local shows and the 3 major women's national tournaments. Naquana earned a gold medal in the 2002 Women's National Championships in Scranton, PA and  bronze medals at the 2002 Women's National Golden Gloves in Chicago, IL and the 2002 Police Athletic League (PAL) Nationals in Augusta, GA. Her goals are to participate in the advent of women's boxing in the Olympics and then make a professional career out of boxing.  Naquana's mother encouraged her last March to try something new after basketball and got her interested in boxing.  She has stayed involved and committed after enjoying early success, meeting new people, and getting to travel.  Her father has supported her as well with training assistance.  She is very thankful for this family support.

Naquana highly recommends involvement in boxing to other young people that can commit to hard work in training and being dedicated.  In addition to keeping a person physically active and healthy, she feels that it provides for goal setting and positive structure for free time.

Both Naquana and Coach Price are very thankful to the community leaders, businesses, family, friends and fans who supported them this year. The Peshtigo Boxing Club is a non-profit group sanctioned by USA Boxing. “Our program provides individual skill development, self-esteem and positive motivation toward obtaining life goals. We believe it aids parents and communities with helping redirect our youth that are not focused or goal oriented."

Naquana with Coach Willy Price