When Mia St. John hung her gloves in the year 2016, it did not shock the boxing world. The 5-time world champion had struggled in her personal life. While she excelled in every fight she took in the ring, back at home, grief awaited her. The tragic loss of her son, the tough navigation through sobriety, and the deteriorating mental health of her ex-husband: all culminated to push her off her career path.

It was in the middle of April 2016. Mia flew to Aukland, New Zealand to fight against Lisa Lewis for her 47th fight. At this point, the fighter was clearly past her prime and had registered some scathing losses in her record. Nonetheless, she came out victorious through a fourth-round, knockout. And with that, Mia wrapped up her stint in the boxing ring. In the following years, tragedies would befall her ruthlessly, and her face would completely disappear from the boxing landscape. However, now having risen through the ashes like a Phoenix, Mia spoke to EssentiallySports about what could get her to return to the sport.

“… and I’ll do it,” Mia St. John makes This demand for her big return

In a recent conversation with Noah Lack on The ESFancast, the former world champion outlined the conditions that would convince her to even think of getting back into the ring. When Lack asked her  about returning to the sport through an exhibition fight or similar kind of propositions, Mia said, “For the right amount of money I could get that heart back in me.” She further added, “Pay me the right amount of money and I’ll do it. But I’m telling you, you gotta pay me a lot to get me out of bed and get me in a boxing ring.”

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However, the fighter has some significant doubts about her capabilities to sustain in an exhibition fight. She elaborated on her doubts citing the time when WBC International Secretary, Jill Diamond came to her with a fight offer. The idea of her return to the ring did get Mia excited. She said, “And I said, man, like I can’t think of anything I would love more but…”  However, conveying her concerns, she stated that she had not trained for the sport in years. Although she does work out every day, Mia said, “boxing training is a whole different animal.”

It’s been more than seven years since Mia fought in the ring. In these years, she has grappled with tragedies of epic proportions. Five years after her son, Julian had died by suicide, she was struck by the news of her ex-husband’s death. Kristoff St. John died in 2019 owing to heart disease exacerbated by alcohol use. With his death, Mia slipped too. She relapsed from her 30-year-long sobriety.

How did Mia St John. handle retirement?

Noah Lack asked ‘The Knockout’ about her experience post-retirement. In the conversation, she alluded that it was a difficult transition. She said, “Most people don’t retire until you know usually like, their 70s. So to retire, I retired just shy of 50 years old. So that’s really young, umm, to be retired. It’s a tough life.” The former world champion stated that her early retirement made it difficult for her to fit in amongst other retirees.

She often wondered, “I am gonna live another thirty years. What am I gonna do with those 30 years?” Well, she found her purpose in the people she wanted to help. After the death of her son and former husband, Mia started an organization that helps folks who are suffering from addiction, mental health issues, homelessness, and poverty.

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However, in her daily routine, Mia still finds time to circle back to a sport that was once the passion of her life. Moreover, today, when the world sees her as a mental health advocate who has relentlessly stood by people who are hurting, it reminds us of Mia who stood at a similar juncture years ago. Yet, she fought through. In the ring and life.

Would you want to see Mia St. John return to the ring? Let us know in the comments section below.

Watch This Story: “One Day at a Time”: Fans Jump In With Support as Mia St. John Shares Update About Her Sobriety