Shelito’s Shocking Truths – Never Judge a Book by its Cover

Interview by Pattee Mak – November 11, 2012

Over the past few months I had a chance to get to know Bantamweight Michelle Vincent aka Shelly aka Shelito [5-0-0] of Providence, Rhode Island.  They always say “never judge a book by its cover” and in this instance it is true. If you don’t know Shelito you might be doing a double take thinking she’s a male, instead of a female.  Her physical appearance is muscular, she has multiple tattoos and I’m almost certain her wardrobe is more Nikey than Victoria Secret.  But beneath her boyish appearance she has a playful, crazy side. And in fact I kinda of like her craziness.

When her manager, Mary Del Pino Morgan, hit me up to do this interview at first I thought we were strictly going to chat about her upcoming 6^th professional fight at Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island on November 29, 2012.  But then I realized this would not be your typical boxing interview.  Back when Shelito was 13 years old she was raped multiple times by someone she knew and trusted.  But not every horrible story has a horrific ending.  Shelito is presently on the pursuit in helping kids who are also going thru difficult times in their lives.

Pattee Mak:  Oh my God, I’m so sorry that you had to go through what you went through.  I don’t understand why people do the things they do at times.   I’m sure over the years you had to struggle with many different feelings and emotions.  Presently how is Shelito today concerning what had happened in the past?

Shelito:  That’s just the tip of the iceberg Pattee!!!  I have a story that could make a tear cry tears… but YES, I’ve dealt with anger, depression, many emotions. Now I’ve learned to leave it all behind me and move forward.  I feel a responsibility to bring an awareness to young children and let them know that they need to find someone to talk to and help them work through their problems, not just act out. Do anything in my power to be sure they avoid the trials and tribulations I’ve had to endure.

Pattee Mak:  Were there points in your life that you also acted out and how?

Shelito:  The backlash was crazy. I rebelled to the max. I was like a straight A student. My grades fell. I started fighting every and anyone that looked at me wrong. Started drinking, drugs, etc… Whenever I felt in danger I just started swinging, my mind was a terrible place. I was eventually incarcerated and had to dig myself out a hole and slowly rebuild my life. I just didn’t know what to do with myself anymore. Most of the time I wished I were dead. I felt like a dead man walking.

Pattee Mak:  I bet there is a ton of people who feel the same way you were feeling.

Pattee Mak:  How did you tie in what happened to you with working with kids at Striking Beauties?

Shelito:  They’re a lil young to understand that but while I’m there I wish to be a positive role model and remain an encouragement for them to be there best no matter what.

Pattee Mak:  Your last fight, the entourage. Tell me about the significance of the people who accompanied you to the ring.

Shelito:  The kids, to make them feel like they’re a part of my life and to remind me why I work so hard… ALUMNI… Man, because them fellas have the same ambition and drive as myself.  EVERYTHING we do we do for OUR CITY. To be an inspiration and to let these kids know coming from a small city, BIG DREAMS are still attainable. I keep it ALL New London. But don’t get me wrong I LOVE MY NEW CITY also and Jamie Clampitt because she is the woman I’m striving to be and pulled me back into the sport and made me believe again.

Pattee Mak:  How many people are aware of what you went through?

Shelito:  People always had an idea but never spoke on it. But now that I tour with these schools it’s more in the open. I’ve only recently been able to talk about it. Took years to finally open up and vent…it’s worth it to me even if I can ONLY save one kid.

Pattee Mak: Do you approach the schools or do they contact you?  Also what do you talk about at the schools?

Shelito:  They approach me.  I mean look at me now. I show there’s always hope.  This is my road to redemption.  If I rose above all this it clearly shows ANYONE can. I am adversity.  Proof that hard work an dedication can take you anywhere. I talk about anti bullying topics, the rape, and different ways to deal with anger and depression and the importance of talking to and explaining your emotions.

Pattee Mak: I believe it is awesome what you are doing.  I couldn’t imagine the pain that you went through over all these years.  Sometimes it’s even harder to bring the issues out of the dark.

Pattee Mak: Do you find it difficult to trust people because of what had happened?

Shelito:  Absolutely, in any and ALL relationships. I mean all I can do is keep working on that.  One day I hope to completely heal.  I have a lot a people that care about me now and they’re here for me.  And LOVE me.  I never had a lot of that growing up. Lost my mother when she was 37 to a short battle with Leukemia. Without boxing I think I’d go crazy. It give me a place to channel everything. When I think about my ma or start slippin back into depression, I’ll go beat the bag till I cry. Finish my workout then boogie, leaving feeling amazing.  I’ve been used my WHOLE life and I been USING boxing to pull through that. This last year been great though and my life is definitely changing.

Pattee Mak: Thank God for boxin!!!

Pattee Mak:  What would you say to someone who was recently a victim in some sort of physical act?

Shelito:  Speak to someone. Let it out. If I’d had someone to talk to and vent too, my life would have been so much easier to cope with. I was so tough I didn’t understand why this could have happened to me and being so young, I didn’t understand. I internalized the bad feelings and acted out in a negative way, which resulted in a lot a trouble.  Communication is EVERYTHING in ALL aspects of life. Talking took a lot of weight off my shoulders.  Find somewhere to channel it too.

Pattee Mak:  Lets switch gears, you are now preparing for your fight on the 29^th on the undercard of Peter Manfredo, Jr., who is coming out of retirement.   Do you have an opponent signed yet? This will be your 6^th fight this year.   When are we going to see the KO?

Shelito:  My opponent is signed and is a Veteran Savannah Hill of Arkansas, who will be getting knocked out on Nov 29th in front of all my friends and family. I have the best fans EVER and it’s their support that makes me go in there and dominate.  It’s them that give me that drive.  I do it for them lol right after ME and my Mother, grandmother, Earl Walsh an Uly bay RIP love and miss all of you’s.

Pattee Mak: Where are you currently training?

Shelito:  With the great Peter Manfredo, Sr. at Manfredo’s gym. And since I’m a trainer at Striking Beauties in North Attleboro, I workout there also.

Pattee Mak: How is your training coming along for this fight against Hill?

Shelito:  We stay ready and in shape.  Once we know the opponent we work strategies and such.   Gerdy always has me in tip-top shape and strong, ready to KILL… He’s the best in the game.

Pattee Mak: We will probably never be sparring then.

Pattee Mak:  Jennifer Santiago [2-0-0].  She was just victorious against the same opponent that you were victorious against, Ivana Coleman [0-3-0]. Could this be a possible match up in the near future?

Shelito:  Sure everyone is always an option.  I’m fighting 6 rounders now though so that leaves limits.

Pattee Mak:  Your 1^st pro fight was on 10-07-2011.  You were 32 years old and it was against Karen Dulin. Why did you start your pro career so late?

Shelito:  Wasn’t ready at the time. Had things hold me up. All I KNOW is time is NOW!!!!  And they’ll never catch me in slumber.  These drowsy women and world keep sleeping on me.  I want to prove the world wrong.  I rose above, against all odds. BOXING will be the same as my life. I plan to rise.

Pattee Mak:  Do you think you’ll still be boxing into your middle and late 40’s?

Shelito:  Hell yeah!!!  I’m boxing till my hands won’t maneuver no more. I feel great!!!  I look like a baby. And the body feels better then that.  I’ll look like 25 when I’m 40. Have the swagger of a college kid. And the energy of a 21 year old.  I’m here till the commission throws me out!!!

Pattee Mak:  How did you get involved with boxing?

Shelito:  I saw it and fell in love. My pops, Uncle Joe, Uncle Cliff all boxed on my pop’s side. Then my uncle babe boxed on my mother side.  Just in the blood.  I feel like I was born to do this. There’s so much passion in me.

Pattee Mak:  Tell me about your amateur career, any belts?

Shelito:  11-4 as a amateur.   I was the 2000 Bud Belt Champ, 2002 NE Golden Glove Champ, 2002 CT State Champ, then 2011 National Golden Gloves Champ, also winner on Team USA vs. Military.

Pattee Mak:  Does this mean no Thanksgiving dinner for you or are you all set with making weight

Shelito:  Thanksgiving WILL be celebrated on NOV 30th. LOL my manager is the best cook and she takes care of me. So my thanksgiving with my new family will be just as great late. No biggie. I’m in good place right now with weight. It’s all about mental toughness and discipline.

Pattee Mak:  The last time I saw you in the ring your hair was green, white and red. I’m assuming you are very much into your Italian heritage?

Shelito:   Absolutely you have to love who you are and where you come from. Heritage is everything to me. I’m Cape Verdean too, which I’m proud to be! 😉 Love you Nana Bea.

Pattee Mak:  On November 24 at Tonys Pub, 125 Main Street, Willimantic, CT there will be a pep rally for you and Kevin “The VT Bully” Cobbs for your upcoming bouts. Tell me more about this.

: Myself and Kev do everything together. We both from CT. Both undefeated and putting it on the line.  We a team. Wherever there’s Cobbs there’s Shelito’s Way.  Wherever Shelito’s Way there’s Cobbs.  We like a family.   Real spit, that cat like a brother to me.  Bottom line is that’s the place to be come the 24th.  Live performances, entertainment. Both our fine asses.  And we pumpin the fights on the 29th and CES. I mean we are the social network KINGS.

Pattee Mak:  Back in the summertime you were part of a music video [WATCH VIDEO], along with Kevin “The VT Bully” Cobbs and Vladine Biosse and a few others.  How did you get involved with this music video?

Shelito:  Kev was doing promo, asked us to come through and we jumped on. We a unit!! A team. TEAMWORK MAKE A DREAMWORK. We in there!!!! GITIG… Get it till it’s got. Much respect.

Thank you for taking the time to speak to me. Should you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please feel free to comment below or locate me on facebook or twitter @PatteeMak.  All bouts and fighters subject to change.



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