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 step- father 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

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