Misfits Boxing’s Carla Jade reveals her hardest battle is outside the ring – and the thing that would hurt her most
INCREDIBLE CARLA Jade has managed to juggle a blooming boxing career and a successful ring girl business alongside being a busy mum of four.
But the brunette beauty, 35, wouldn’t swap her hectic life for anything else.
Jade was recently in action against bare-knuckle boxer Melanie Shah at Misfits Boxing 20 at Co-op Live in Manchester, where she defended her lightweight belt.
It’s been a remarkable journey for the champ who has wowed her four kids with her exploits in the ring, as well as the fact she gets to rub shoulders with YouTuber KSI.
However, despite barbs aimed at her online by her rivals on social media, and punches thrown by juggernauts in the squared circle, being a mother serves up tougher challenges.
“Everyone always talks about the boxing and everything like that – but for me, my hardest battle is always outside of the ring,” Carla told SunSport.
“I am always juggling everything and making sure everything’s done. You know, I’ve got the kids, I’ve got a business, then I’ve got the boxing.
“I say it’s hard, but I have four amazing kids. They’re so lovely, so helpful.
“They’re my whole inspiration. So as much as it’s hard, you can’t be upset because you’re busy juggling your lottery win. It’s the best thing ever being a mum.
“The kids are the only thing in the whole world that… you know, obviously I love boxing, I love my friends, I love my family, but if you took them away from me that would hurt.”
From ring girl to boxing sensation
Carla’s children, aged 19, 18, 15 and 10, saw their mum in the ring before she became a Misfits Boxing sensation.
She has regularly shown off her stunning figure at PFL and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship events.
While the fierce fighter also runs a stable of promo models with her own agency, Finesse Ring Girls.
Carla said: “It’s funny because they didn’t care so much when I was a ring girl.
“I think the only time my son showed an interest was when he saw an ad for BKFC when he was playing his FIFA video game, and he was like ‘oh, is that the show you worth with?’
“When I first started boxing, it wasn’t much of a shock to my kids because they already know I’m not a very conventional person.
“At first they weren’t majorly interested, but when I won the belt they thought it was the coolest thing in the whole world.
“Also, they’re not YouTubey kids, but they were impressed I get to hangout with KSI and other influencers who are big in their world.
“I think now they’re kind of in awe of me!”
So far, Carla’s children have yet to watch mum live in action at one of her bruising or bloody bouts.
“Yeah, they don’t come to the fights,” Carla explained.
read more sport features
“I did ask them if they wanted to come to my last fight – but being in Manchester it was a bit far for them to travel.
“They watch it on TV, though. My son, bless him, is so cute. He had a watch party with his friends when I fought Nikki Hru.
“I have to remember that they’re watching, so I can’t get too carried away and say something I shouldn’t!
“But my older children understand it. They understand it’s work, so when I got slapped by Melanie in the press conference they knew it wasn’t like getting slapped in the street by someone!”
The parenting juggle
Carla admitted the hardest thing she faces as a Misfits boxer is the time it takes away from her kids.
“Time management is really tough,” she confessed.
“I have never really had a 9-5 job, so doing the school run hasn’t been an issue.
“I’ll drop them off at school, go to the gym, get all my training done, then I’m able to pick them up later.
“Sometimes sparring sessions are in the evening, depending on what girls are available. Before I go back out, I’ll do the dinner for them.
“My 19-year-old can cook, so she prepares her own meals or will help feed the others. She’s an angel.”
“It can be hard when it gets closer to the fights and we’ve got proper eight-week training camps.
“But, I am very lucky because if you break it down, it’s eight weeks, one night, and it’s good money.
“Of course I get tired, and driving back home after a sparring session late at night is tough.
“I’d rather do that, though, because it means I can have little moments with my children – like take the dog for a walk or draw a picture with my youngest.
“I can’t complain. It’s a small sacrifice to pay. I’m the champ. If it was an easy life, everyone would be doing it.”
A dangerous game
Carla knows she puts herself at risk in the ring, which hits home being a parent.
“It’s only recently I thought about the dangers,” she told us.
“Coming into it, I knew I would have to go and spar and get punched in the head by other girls.
“At times, the next day I have suffered with a bad headache. You’re wearing eight ounce gloves, no head guards, so it’s proper boxing when it’s fight night.
“It’s a serious sport, so I just make sure I protect myself, look after my body. I take my weight cut seriously, and Misfits look after us as well.
“They make sure everyone’ s on weight, we are tested by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), so they’ve proven to be such a professional organisation.
“At the same time, I could go out and, heaven forbid, get hit by a bus tomorrow.
“I want to live my life to the full, provide for my family, and I think I can do that safely in the boxing ring
“It’s great to have a place I can show off my skills, personality, and get paid.”