10/21/2024
“Obstacles are stepping stones for me.”
- Shurretta Metcalf

Photo Credit: Shurretta Metcalf
Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf (13-4-1, 2 KOs) is no stranger to fighting for her dreams. She’s been doing it her whole life, and on October 23, 2024, she’ll have her biggest test yet. Metcalf will step into the ring at the Theater at Madison Square Garden to face IBF Bantamweight Champion Miyo Yoshida. The Broadway Boxing event, titled Heroes on the Hudson 2, presented by DiBella Entertainment, marks her first-ever shot at a world title. But this opportunity, like many others in her life, wasn’t handed to her. It was hard-fought and well-earned.
In an interview with Brunch Boxing, Metcalf detailed the arduous journey to this milestone. “It was supposed to be a tournament going on. In the tournament, everyone is supposed to fight their mandatory first,” Metcalf explained, recounting the politics she had to navigate just to get her shot at the title. “The IBF is calling everybody else mandatory in three or four months and here I am just sitting here and sitting here. I had to let them know, ‘Hey, we want our shot. Why is it taking so long?’ It’s literally a year later, so I had to fight for me.”
Metcalf wasn’t just fighting for herself in the ring; she was fighting for a fair chance in a sport often bogged down by bureaucratic hurdles and selective opportunities. “I didn’t know if I was going to get my fair shot at fighting [Yoshida] first or if they were going to use the tournament as an excuse to not give me a shot,” she said. But now, after a long wait, she’s ready to make her mark on the world stage.
Metcalf’s story isn’t just about what happens in the ring. Her real battles started long before she ever laced up a pair of gloves. A mother of two boys, her first major challenge came when her eldest son was diagnosed with autism.

Photo Credit: Shurretta Metcalf
“I had my son when I was 20 years old. That was my first fight,” Metcalf shared. Navigating the world of autism at a time when there was limited awareness was a steep learning curve for the young mother. “No one really knew about autism like that. I definitely hadn’t heard of it. It was very challenging. I was young, me and my child’s father broke up, I was pretty much with him by myself. I started noticing things when he was one. He wasn’t really talking. It was real stressful. I took him to the doctor.”
At first, she was told that her son just had a speech impediment and that “boys were just slower than girls.” But Metcalf, with the same tenacity that would later define her boxing career, refused to settle for that answer. “I just wasn’t taking no for an answer. I knew something was wrong and thank god I did stay firm on it.” That persistence paid off, as her son was later properly diagnosed. Now, he’s thriving as an honor student in college. “That’s my baby,” she said proudly. “He made me real tough.”
Metcalf’s journey to professional boxing was as unconventional as it gets. It all started by chance when she was invited to fight in underground boxing matches in Dallas, with no formal training. “I just started training. I was naturally beating up those girls,” she recalled. Her raw talent didn’t go unnoticed. From those street fights, Metcalf transitioned into the world of amateur boxing before making the leap to the pros at the relatively late age of 30.

Photo Credit: Shurretta Metcalf
It wasn’t an easy start. She lost three of her first five professional bouts, but each loss became a lesson. Metcalf was learning on the job, determined to fight her way up the rankings. Her breakthrough came when she handed Melissa Oddessa Parker her first professional defeat—a win that began to put Metcalf on the map.
Her rise continued when she defeated Miyo Yoshida in November 2023. Despite that victory, Metcalf still found herself waiting for her shot while other fighters, some coming off losses, were given opportunities ahead of her. She had spent much of 2023 calling for a fight with Australian star Ebanie Bridges, but that bout never materialized. Instead, Bridges fought Yoshida, the very fighter Metcalf had already beaten. Once again, Metcalf was passed over.
Now, nearly a year after defeating Yoshida, Metcalf will get her chance to prove herself once more—this time with a world title on the line.
At the heart of Metcalf’s career is a powerful relationship with her trainer, USA Boxing’s Christine Lopez. “She understands me. I love her. I appreciate everything. I can call her. It’s not even about boxing. She’s seen me break down. It’s such an honor to work with her,” Metcalf said, describing their close bond.

Photo Credit: Shurretta Metcalf
Lopez has been a pillar of strength for Metcalf, both in and out of the ring. Their partnership is one built on trust and respect, and it’s clear that Lopez’s support has helped Metcalf grow not only as a fighter but also as a person. Together, they’ve weathered the ups and downs of Metcalf’s career, preparing for the moment when all their hard work would pay off.
Though Metcalf has already beaten Yoshida once, she knows the rematch will be a different story. “I know when I fight Miyo she will not be the same fighter from the last fight!” Metcalf said. “I will be fighting the World Champion Miyo, and she will not be fighting the same Shurretta Metcalf! We are both coming to make a statement! I’m just happy I finally get my shot!”
For Metcalf, this is more than just another fight—it’s the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance. A victory on October 23 would not only make her a world champion, but it would also validate her long and often overlooked journey in the sport.

Photo Credit: Shurretta Metcalf
At 39, Metcalf knows she’s approaching the twilight of her career, but she’s not ready to slow down just yet. If she emerges victorious against Yoshida, she’s eager to face anyone who stands in her way. “I’m not scared of nobody in the tournament. I’ll fight anybody in the tournament, but I do want my fair shot at being the IBF world champion first,” she said.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Metcalf is on a three-fight winning streak but hasn’t fought since her first win over Yoshida nearly a year ago. Still, she’s unfazed by the layoff, knowing the reward that lies ahead. “This is something I have worked hard for, and I will finally get the opportunity I have earned. I beat Yoshida the last time and will come out on top again to become a world champion.”
It’s been a long road for Shurretta “Chiccn” Metcalf, but as she stands on the verge of her first world title shot, one thing is clear: She’s ready to seize her moment. She’s not just fighting for a belt—she’s fighting for the recognition and respect she’s deserved all along.
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