BUTTE — Heart surgery sidelined Amanda Guidoni from boxing, and she wasn’t sure how long it would take for doctors to give her the OK to step back in the ring.
“In December they cleared me to get off the blood thinners, they did the whole work-up and said everything looked awesome and everything looks great," said the Butte boxer. "So that day I texted Leigh-Ann (Whitworth) and I said, ‘Guess what? It’s done, we’re ready to go.'”
That conversation between Guidoni and coach Leigh-Ann Whitworth was more than seven months in the making. Fast forward to this Saturday and Guidoni -- or “Guido” as she’s more known in the boxing realm -- will put all that preparation into her first fight in almost a year.
“This fight for her is all about her heart language, which is, 'I can return after a heart surgery and make the best match possible,'" said Whitworth.
The “I Ain't Your Sweetheart” this Saturday will feature a loaded card full of hard-hitting talent. The night’s semi-main event will feature Guidoni and fellow Butte boxer Britt Tadday.
“We’re Butte tough, that’s just plain and simple. These two girls are Butte tough and they’re going to give you your money’s worth," Whitworth said.
“It draws that huge hometown crowd, and she’s a good person with a good heart and a lot of friends, and so it’s awesome to get in the ring with someone you respect for standing up so close to the fight," said Guidoni. "I really give her a lot of respect.”
When Part 2 of Guidoni’s journey back into the ring unfolds Saturday night, it’s important to recognize none of that would’ve happened without her family right by her side.
“I don’t know how I could do it without the backing I have, friends and family and this town," she said. "I don’t think it’d be possible to be back and have this feeling."
