Chevelle Hallback’s “fists of steel” are well-known in the boxing world.
The Plant City native has used them in rings all over the world since 1997 and has five world championships to show for it. Even after a five-year hiatus (which wasn’t her choice), Hallback’s 2019 comeback showed the world those fists still aren’t rusty with two decisive wins over Szilvia Szabados.
Hallback made her pro debut on Feb. 21, 1997 and has a record of 32-8-2 with 13 of those wins coming by knockout. She has won world titles in the Super Featherweight, Lightweight and Welterweight divisions. She’s faced some of the biggest names in combat sports, such as world No. 2 welterweight Cecilia Braekhus and crossover star Holly Holm, best-known for her upset win over UFC star Ronda Rousey in the octagon. Hallback is currently ranked ninth in the world among welterweights and third among American fighters.
She knows she’ll have to hang up the gloves for good sooner or later, but she’s not retired yet. Hallback’s working on lining up some more bouts and her goal is for her final fight, whenever that may be, to be held here in her hometown and she’s been hard at work getting that set up. As someone who’s spent decades correcting people who have billed her as fighting out of Tampa, it would be the perfect ending.
“I found a venue, it’s just getting all the details together and everything,” she said. “My final fight is definitely gonna happen next year.”
But what comes next? The short answer is, a lot. Boxing may be the thing that most defines Hallback’s life, but she’s revealing herself to be a true Renaissance woman as her in-ring career approaches its end.
She’s long expressed her desire to train the next generation of local boxing stars. Hallback currently does offer training services and most recently worked closely with Plant City Boxing Gym owner Jose Rodriguez for his recent pro debut, but plans to get more into that after her retirement. She’d also like to train kids age 6-17 with a program anyone could afford, which may lead to a donation-funded program for them.
Another thing that’s piqued her interest is motivational speaking. She already knew she had a good foundation to build on. Her life story includes a very late start in boxing without an amateur career, learning to navigate the twists and turns of boxing’s business side, blazing a trail for women in the sport and, of course, coming back to win two fights at 48 years old. She’s a firm believer in defying expectations people set based on your age, gender and other trivial reasons people would have to sow the seeds of doubt within you. She’s also all the living proof she needs to make that point.
After trying her hand at public speaking and joining National Speaking Academy and Plant City’s Toastmasters group, Hallback revealed herself to also be a charismatic, compelling storyteller. She’s participated in the Great American Teach-In around Plant City, the 2019 Black History Month celebration in Plant City and other local events, and she hopes to expand on that soon.
“I want to be able to book some gigs, to actually get my story out. My story of starting boxing,” she said. “With that are lessons of motivation and an inspirational message as well. I’ve been through a lot with my boxing career. Toward the end, or what other people see as the end, I’m always told ‘You can’t get any fights because you’re too old…’ so after not fighting for five years with this excuse and finally landing a fight, fighting someone younger than myself and beating her twice, I have said people look at my age and not my skill set. Yes, I’m a certain age but I am also able to perform at a high level.”
Unsurprisingly, Hallback’s charisma also comes through on film. In addition to modeling, she decided to try her hand at acting two years ago and is starting to land some roles for herself, notably now on OWN’s David Makes Man and the YouTube series War Up. She recently auditioned for a bigger role in David Makes Man, made the top two and is waiting to learn whether she got the part.
“I hope and pray that I get it,” Hallback said. “Even if I don’t get it, I’m grateful because I’m just starting. I haven’t done anything major and to get selected to be in the running with a major network… I’m excited about that. I’m so stoked about it.”
She’s an outgoing, down-to-earth person, but her career in boxing gave her the ability to play the tough gal with ease. She likes the idea of playing a villain on camera.
“I’m always smiling and upbeat, but there is a flip side,” Hallback said. “I wanted to try my hand at it.”
She’s decided to try her hand at some off-screen work as well and recently started writing her own screenplays. Nothing has been finished just yet, but Hallback’s pen has been flowing during the time of COVID-19.
No matter what she tries after she’s done fighting (away from the movie and TV cameras, that is), one thing’s for certain: one of Plant City’s brightest stars is still going to shine.
GET TO KNOW CHEVELLE
Who is a woman that has inspired you?
My mother and my grandmother. My grandmother because she means the world to me and she constantly reminds me that I mean the world to her. She inspires me to be the best that I can be because I want to make her so proud of me. She always instilled in me to do good and be careful because trouble seems to find anyone. Trouble’s so easy to get into and so hard to get out of. She put me on this pedestal that I strive for excellence because of her. My mom inspires me because she’s hard on me when it comes to my character as a person, as a whole. She instills in me that your name is important, integrity is important, honesty, your word when you tell someone something — that’s important.
What books are you currently reading?
“You Can, You Will: 8 Undeniable Qualities of a Winner” by Joel Osteen.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Integrity is everything. Your name means a lot. Faith without work is dead. In other words, if you say that you’re going to do something or want to do something… you can’t just sit around and say it. You’ve got to put it into action and be consistent with it. Nothing comes easy. Patience is a virtue.
If you had the power to change one thing in Plant City tomorrow, what would it be?
It appears to me that Plant City is a divided city. At a young age, around the late 70s and early 80s, I noticed caucasian people lived on one side of the tracks while African-Americans lived on the other side. And the only time the two races would come together was during the Strawberry Festival. So much divided that those same railroad tracks have been barricaded so you can’t cross them to get to the other side. One would have to go around. That in itself, to me, symbols division amongst the two races. It has come to the point — and with so much diversity in our city, I’m not only talking about black or white but all races — we should be able to come together in peace, love and harmony and reunite as one, as Plant Citians. So I would start by taking away the barricade and making it accessible to cross the railroad tracks. It’s a starting point of ending the division.
What’s the hardest life lesson you’ve learned?
First, never underestimate anybody. I don’t care who they are. Especially in that ring. One punch — that’s all it takes. Never underestimate anyone in life. Second, do your homework and know what you’re getting yourself into. Don’t blindly go into something. And before you commit to something, be prepared.
What advice would you give to the next generation of women?
Believe in yourself. If no one else believes in you, believe in yourself. Don’t let friends, family, foes, loved ones or associates tell you what you can and what you cannot do. Don’t let anyone put limitations on you. Whatever your heart desires, whatever your dreams and goals are, go for them and give it 110 percent. Don’t give yourself the opportunity, put yourself in the position where you’re telling yourself “shoulda, coulda, woulda.”
If you could have any actor play you in a movie about your life, who would you pick?
Angela Bassett.