Dreams Do Come True

Article & photos by Ethan Nahté

For some 9-year-old girls, a dream might consist of a fantasy element involving unicorns or fairytale castles. For those seeking something more realistic, perhaps it’s a new Barbie or a bicycle. 

Then there are girls such as Delissa Pilant, who want a chance to get into the squared circle and to land a punch or two while being cheered on by a crowd.

That might not seem too unusual in a world of undefeated two-weight world champion Laila Ali or the first female UFC Hall of Fame fighter Ronda Rousey. Certainly, other young girls look up to such athletes. 

What might be uncommon is that Delissa has a hearing impairment that requires her to wear a hearing aid in each ear. “I can’t hear well,” she said. “I was born that way.”

That’s not what makes Delissa’s dream unusual. It’s the next step of her journey that is unexpected.

Delissa’s mother Evie Bevis said she was surprised when Delissa told her and Delissa’s stepfather Simon Ahumada she wanted to box. “I was amazed with her wanting to box and fight.”

She doesn’t watch boxing on television, so that was not an influence. Delissa’s reasoning, “I want to know how to fight in case I do get into a fight.” 

The couple support Delissa’s aspirations. Ahumada said, “It’s a good opportunity for her… she’s more active, keeping healthy, keeping focused on something she likes, and with her hearing and stuff, knowing that no matter what obstacle, she can overcome it.”

Delissa doesn’t spend as much time playing on tablets or video games. Bevis said, “When she gets home from school, she’s like, ‘I’m ready to go to boxing.’” 

She’s boxed approximately nine months over the last year but has never fought in front of an audience outside the gym. The concept makes her a little nervous.

Defender’s Boxing Club Coach Richard Hexamer said, “She’s a sweet little girl. She started training down at our gym in De Queen with D-Two Boxing about nine months ago. She’s got ear problems and wears real high-volume hearing aids.”

Delissa said the most fun for her in boxing are her coaches at D-Two Boxing & Fitness Club, Melissa and Jesse Self.

Melissa said, “I always thought it was awesome. [Delissa] just came in the very first time and she’s just really good with her body, and really knows how her body works and how to throw a punch.”

When asking Delissa what her best punch is, Self volunteered, “I would say her hook that she caught me with the other day right in the jaw.” They both laughed. “She caught me good. I had my mouth open. I was going to speak to her while we were sparring and she caught me. I had to stop.” Delissa smiled and nodded, trying not to laugh too much. “She stopped a grown adult,” Self continued. 

Delissa said the most difficult thing to learn is to stay in stance. “When I move, I always move this foot first,” she said, pointing to one of her feet, “before I move this foot, and I fall.” 

She said she does not have balance issues due to anything related to her hearing.

Bittersweet news

As she prepped for her public debut, Delissa received unexpected news.

Hexamer said, “She’s going to do a cochlear implant in May. She just found that out three weeks ago. Once they do that implant, she’ll never be able to box again. She’s always wanted to be a boxer and she hasn’t had a chance yet.”

One would think once Delissa discovered she was going to be getting an implant she would be excited, but she responded, “I’m not very happy about it, but I’m kind of nervous too. I never wanted to get one. I already don’t like wearing hearing aids. It’ll make hearing better for me, and for my speech. That’s what I’m happy about. But getting them, I’m not happy.”

Delissa denies the concept of not being able to box again. She confidently stated, “I will. I just can’t get punched in the ear.”

Her parents stated that the first doctor did tell them she would never be able to box again. The second doctor had more promising news. They said they have to go speak with the doctors soon regarding the implant.

“They do surgery and put a metal plate in your head so she can hear better,” Bevis said. “It’s going to be straight on her eardrum.”

Bevis also has hearing issues. Delissa, who is one of six daughters, is not the only child affected by the genetic trait. Bevis said, “Her and another sister and Annie all have a hearing impairment. Her [8-year-old] sister has a cochlear implant, too. Her hearing is worse than Delissa’s.”

Bevis does not have an implant. She explained, “I’ve tried hearing aids. As you get older, it’s a little more difficult to get hearing aids.”

Delissa’s family share the desire that she can continue doing what she loves. Bevis said, “We’ve got to talk with her surgeon. We’re hoping she can keep competing once she gets it.”

Since her boxing future is uncertain, a match was arranged to take place at the Arkansas Junior Olympics Boxing Championships in Mena.

“We’re going to do a special bout with her taking on a boy from a friend’s club,” Hexamer said. “They can do intergender matches at that age. I call it the Dreams Do Come True match to give her a chance to be in the ring. It’s going to be one of those no-loser matches. She’s really good. She’s shy, but once she warms up, she’s really decent in the ring for only doing it for nine months.”

Self said, “She has progressed pretty well. She’s a little bit nervous and that’s to be expected. She’s never had a fight [pubic] fight before. We’re excited to see how she does. I think she’s going to do really well.” 

She has never met her opponent, Malachi Pruitt, but she’s looking forward to her bout and believes in herself. “I can win — and if we both win, it’ll be a big tie. It’ll be the first time I’ll be very happy.”

When it’s suggested she’s probably been really happy before, she smiled and said, “Sometimes.”

Fight day

The following morning, before the bout, Delissa could be seen playing with balloons with two of her sisters. One would never guess she was nervous or that she was even a contender due to get up in the ring in a couple of hours.

Once Delissa was standing on the canvas, wearing all of her protective gear like the rest of the boxers were wearing, she appeared anxious to begin. The announcer asked the audience to cheer the boxers on. A standing ovation ensued and the crowd remained standing for the fight’s entirety. Once the bell rang, she met Malachi at center ring and immediately landed a left jab to his head.

The two fought three rounds, trading blows in a fairly even match.

Malachi, of Team Trio Boxing, thought Delissa put up a good fight and he enjoyed the competition. They both were awarded championship belts almost as big as their own bodies.

After the fight, Delissa said, “I was happily amazed that I actually won. I thought I would lose. When I got started, I was kind of nervous, but then I overcame it and I started thinking about in the past when I started fighting with coach Jesse and Ms. Melissa.

“When I got to the second round, I got used to it and started actually fighting. Then he got a hold of me, but then I got out and got a hold of him.

“I was so happy! It was it was the best day of my life!”

Her parents are proud of her. Their advice, “Support them, no matter what. Stand by them and support them to the fullest,” Ahumada, said.

Bevis added, “We’re thankful to Coach Melissa and Coach Jesse for starting up the boxing in De Queen. The kids have an opportunity to do something else in another type of sport.”

As for anyone with a disability of any sort, Delissa believes, “It doesn’t matter what you have. You’re just the same as someone else.”

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