The Dallas Cowboys cheerleader who became a viral sensation for her shadow boxing skills at a Cowboys game suffered a massive setback at the recent 2024 USA Boxing National Championships. Despite drawing crowds and media attention for her unlikely transition from cheerleading to the boxing ring, the 14-year-old lost in the early rounds of the Nationals.

The Mighty Mia Pinney, known for her charismatic presence on the Cowboys cheerleading squad, was among the many athletes who participated in the prestigious event held in the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Virginia. Despite her rigorous training with her father, Jordan Pinney at the Elite Fitness gym, and the significant support she garnered from both the Cowboys fanbase and her online followers, her experience in the ring wasn’t enough to secure a victory against Raquel Arreola.

Unexpected Outcome in the Ring for Mia Pinney

The Texas native has been in the spotlight for several months after her clip at a Cowboys game went viral. Yesterday she took to Instagram to share an update of her amateur bout in the 95lbs division with the Californian native during the noon session. She stated, “Boxed all 3 rounds the same.@usaboxing judges didn’t give us a round!” emphasizing the fact that the judges overlooked her performance. She, however, didn’t seem like sulking over her loss as she added, “We had fun today regardless, great job to our opponent @team.raquel.arreola and good luck in the rest of the tournament 🙏.” 

Mia Pinney, despite losing via a 4-1 split decision (30:27, 29:28, 30:27, 29:28, 28:29), felt the judges missed scoring one round in her favor. However, the 14-year-old stayed positive, not holding a grudge and enjoying the competition. While this loss may impact her path to the 2028 Summer Games in LA, she left the tournament with confidence. Pinney may have also received valuable advice from renowned coach Calvin Ford, whom she met in the tournament. Ford, whose guidance helped Gervonta Davis become a boxing star, must have had some good advice for Pinney.

Her opponent, 15-year-old Raquel Arreola, had more experience than Mia Pinney. Raquel, at just 10 years old, competed in the 2019 Youth Nationals and won the event. Despite all her hard work, the cheerleader-turned-boxer faced a tough opponent who was more seasoned in the art of boxing. Her match was intense, but ultimately, she lost by decision after a close and hard-fought battle. Her opponent was simply able to execute more precise punches and defend herself strategically.

Disbelief sets in after the loss

When the news of Mia’s defeat was out in the air, her father struggled to contain his frustration. He took to Facebook to express his disbelief, saying, “We already knew after the first round Mia won and judges didn’t see it! CRAZYYYYY 🤦‍♂️” His words reflected his disappointment with the judge’s decision. However, he cheered on his daughter for performing well and said, “Mia did amazing 🔥“

Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and Olympic boxing aspirant Mia ‘Mighty’ Pinney went viral after showcasing her shadowboxing skills during a game against the New York Giants on November 29. The video, recorded by a spectator, gained over 250,000 likes on Instagram and drew praise from both NFL and boxing communities.

Pinney, who trains with her father at Elite Fitness gym, aims to represent Team USA Boxing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. After the clip went viral, renowned boxing reporter Elie Seckbach praised her crisp punches and footwork, calling her a rising star. Support poured in from figures like pro boxer Stephanie Simon, NFL player David L. Rivers III, and trainer Derrick James.

Currently sponsored by TITLE Boxing, Pinney’s viral moment has sparked excitement about her future in boxing, with many predicting endorsement deals and a growing influence. She’s inspiring young female athletes to pursue boxing with her passion and skills.

What do you think about Mia Pinney’s future in boxing? Let us know your thoughts down below.