By: Lucas Ketelle, BoxingScene
Image: Gamy Rivera, IG: @The.ReelVictory
It’s not just her journey in the ring but the life outside it that has forged the 34-year-old junior welterweight Amelia Moore into a fighter unlike most.
Raised on a farm in Norway, Maine, and now residing in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Moore’s path to professional boxing has been anything but typical.
Her debut fight – a unanimous decision victory against Michaele Nogue, who held a record of 2-6-1 on November 2 at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut – was just the latest chapter in a story that began long before she laced up gloves with her unanimous decision victory. From a childhood fascination with martial arts to a decorated amateur career, Moore’s love for combat sports has always been deeply rooted. Now, as she embarks on a professional boxing career with CES Boxing, she’s ready to make an impact inside and outside the ring.
“Sorry, I’m finishing off a bagel right now,” Moore, who is now 1-0, told BoxingScene, laughing as she settled into sharing her story. “I was emancipated at 16 – actually more like 15. At that age, I was working two jobs, going to high school, and trying to figure out how to make something of myself.”
“The courts don’t just emancipate kids because of financial hardship,” Moore said. “There has to be clear evidence of neglect, abuse, or abandonment. In my case, it was all of the above.”
Moore described a childhood marked by hardship but also by determination. “I grew up in a situation where it was survival. My mom was a single parent, and from the time I was 11, I was pretty much on my own. By 11 years old, I was driving a double-cab truck to get feed for the animals. People think if you have horses or farm animals, you must have money, but it’s not like that. You just acquire them as you go.”
Her days started early, often tending to the farm animals in the freezing cold before heading to school. “It didn’t matter if it was snowing or below zero – you had to take care of the animals,” Moore said. “They depended on you, that kind of responsibility shapes you. It teaches you that hard things have to be done, whether you feel like it or not.”
Moore’s journey took a significant turn when a guidance counselor suggested she aim for college, despite financial obstacles. “I was super green about the process,” Moore said. “I didn’t even know what West Point or Annapolis were, but I applied to both. Somehow, I ended up with recommendations from all my senators and House representatives, which was unheard of.”
She eventually chose delayed entry to the U.S. Naval Academy.
“I had to take the SAT five times to meet the requirements,” Moore said. “But I knew education was my ticket out. Knowledge is power – it’s what’s going to get you out of tough situations.”
Reflecting on her path, Moore knows the duality of hardship. “Every curse has a blessing,” she said. “The struggles I went through gave me strength and resilience. I wouldn’t trade them for anything because they made me who I am.”
Moore’s introduction to combat sports began with a free martial arts program during her childhood, where she quickly made a name for herself, going undefeated in tournaments. “The instructors were like real-life superheroes to me,” Moore said. “They gave me the foundation for combatives, and I loved it.”
Her passion for boxing deepened during her time at the Naval Academy, but it wasn’t until she left the Navy that the sport became transformative. “It was a moment of re-identification,” Moore said about boxing. “I was angry, fighting myself, fighting my past. Boxing taught me how to exit survival mode and really live. My coach, Mr. Langley, who passed away in 2014, gave me a gift – the tools to let go and find peace.”
Her past and upbringing on the farm instilled a sense of mental toughness that she now carries into boxing. “Sports at a high level test your margins – the margin of toughness, the margin of push,” Moore said. “When you’re used to doing hard things for survival, it’s not about ‘Can I do this?’ It’s ‘I have to do this.’”
Moore’s amateur career was exceptional, highlighted by five national titles, championships across multiple weight divisions, and several international medals during her six years with Team USA. A 2020 Olympic alternate, she also dominated the Team Combat League with a 10-0 record, earning Rookie of the Year honors and setting the stage for her professional journey.
Her story, however, transcends wins and losses – it’s rooted in perseverance and gratitude for those who supported her along the way.
“I always recognized good people when they came into my life,” Moore said. “Whether it was someone teaching me how to wire a three-way switch at 13 or helping me apply to college, those moments shaped me. You can be a victim, or you can take the gifts people give you and grow.”
And grow she did. Now based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Moore is looking to make her mark in the professional ranks. “Pro boxing is just the next chapter”” she said. “It’s not just about winning fights – it’s about showing others that no matter where you come from, you can write your own story.”
Signing with CES boxing marks the opening pages of her professional chapter and she says she is thankful to be with a team who sees her value.
“They’ve seen my consistency and determination, not just in how I train but in who I am as a person,” she said. “Character and consistency are everything.
“Boxing puts you back in the driver’s seat of your own journey. You literally fight your demons. Either they win, and you stay a victim, or you kick them out and become yourself.”
Moore is also vocal about the need for progress in boxing, especially in women’s divisions. She’s an advocate for three-minute rounds in women’s professional fights, aiming for parity with men’s bouts. “It’s insane that as an amateur, I fought three three-minute rounds internationally, but my first pro fight was four two-minute rounds,” Moore said. “How do you go from nine minutes to eight? It’s bananas. I want to see that side of the sport grow, not just for women but for everyone.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Moore plans to stay active with four or five fights. “I’m explosive, powerful, and have amazing footwork,” she said. “I love what fighters like Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are doing for women’s boxing. They’re laying the groundwork, and I’m excited to build on that.”
Moore’s journey is far from conventional, but it’s one defined by grit, growth, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. As she prepares for the next chapter, her focus remains clear: “Boxing isn’t just about winning fights. It’s about stepping into your power and creating something meaningful, for yourself and others.”
