Q&A With The Boss

Catching Up With One One Six Boxing Promotions Owner & Operator Brandi McCain

---

If you've been to a One One Six Boxing Promotions event and had a great time, you can thank Brandi McCain. A long-time resident of Gadsden, Alabama, McCain is owner and operator of One One Six Boxing Promotions, currently the only licensed boxing promoter in Alabama, and one of the female boxing promoters in the country. We caught up with Brandi for a Q&A  recently to learn more about her interest in boxing, her reputation as one of the fairest promoters around, and her goals for the future of One One Six Boxing Promotions. 
​
How did your interest in boxing begin?
I have always loved Boxing! It is a very disciplined sport that tests you mentally and physically. If you are not disciplined and you don’t train you will get your ass kicked.  Don’t get me wrong, I like “team” sports, but there is something about 1 on 1 combative action that will reveal the true character of an athlete.

What were the circumstances that led you to launch One One Six Boxing Promotions? 
I had joined Crossroads Boxing Gym for the Boxing Fitness Classes.  I started meeting a lot of the fighters that would come in and seeing them spar really brought back the love I have always had for boxing.  So, from there, I started going to all of the local amateur and pro boxing shows (at that time, Jay Deas was the only Boxing Promoter in Alabama) then I got licensed as a USA Boxing official. I wanted to help these guys achieve their goals and dreams, and lucky for me, I met Jay Deas. If it wasn’t for Jay, I wouldn’t be doing any of this.  He brought Professional Boxing back alive in Alabama with Deontay Wilder. I’m just honored to be part of it.

As one of the few female boxing promoters in the country and the only one in Alabama, do you consider yourself a trailblazer in the boxing world?
Hmm…not really. I just consider myself a strong female who gets shit done.  

Many of the boxers who compete in your shows have spoken about their loyalty to you and One One Six Boxing Promotions. How is your treatment of boxers different from other regional boxing promoters?
Southern hospitality! That’s what it’s all about. I have the best group of people who help me with everything! There are so many behind the scenes workers. My husband, Jason, is my biggest supporter. I am very grateful to him. I honestly think it’s because of the people I have working with me that makes One One Six Promotion amazing.  Everyone loves my assistant, Shelley Roe. She is my right hand! Brian Vaughn is another of my crewmen.  He does so much to help!  They are all the absolute best! We just always make sure to treat each fighter equally.  We don’t care if you are 15-0, or 0-15, if you need a ride to the airport, we will take you! We will make sure you get there safely.  As long as you treat me and my crew with respect you will get treated with respect also.

Talk about some of the boxers currently signed with One One Six Boxing Promotions and what you think they are capable of accomplishing?
I will start with 1) Mike Cook. Mike is from Memphis, Tennessee. I actually used to travel to Tennessee to watch Mike fight, as just a fan in the crowd. I always admired how technical he was in the ring. He is a very disciplined fighter. I can see Mike on a televised card very soon. He is very professional and he has a huge following. It’s a great honor to be his Promoter. He came to me after his very first fight on my card (which was actually his one and only draw) he said he really enjoyed fighting on my card and wanted to come back to the next one. And, it just went from there. I ended up signing Mike as my first Fighter in December 2020. Mike is very easy to get along with and work with. He knows the game and he knows exactly what he wants. He has become more like family to me. 

2) Shaquille Cameron, my Gadsden, Alabama boy. Although Shaquille is just entering his second year of professional boxing, he has already demonstrated some of the top things I look for in a fighter. Shaquille is from Crossroads Boxing Gym, so I have known him for a few years.  He is a very humble guy, keeps to himself & he stays out of trouble. I watched him fight in the amateurs and knew he was ready to be a pro. He is very devoted to his coach, Phillip Jones, and that’s one thing I also admire about him. We are going to keep building his record in 2022 and see where it takes us. Shaquille will be someone to keep your eye on for sure; he is a powerhouse! He will eventually make his way to the top, I can almost guarantee that. 

3) Saben Cura: Saben is from Pensacola, Florida, and he is something else. You see him all clean cut and dressed up with his glasses on, then the bell rings and you are like “who is this kid?” The crowd loves to watch Saben fight. I have been watching him for a year. He has been on a One One Six Card five times from between December 2020 and October 20021. He comes with  strong family support, and his dad in his corner. The Curas are a wonderful family. I can’t wait to see what 2022 brings for him, he will definitely accomplish greatness.  

My thing is, when signing fighters, I have to watch them for a year. I want to see how they respond to different circumstances that professional boxing brings. Whether it is a win, loss, a draw, an injury, a no-show opponent, etc. All of these things can bring out different sides in a fighter. You can’t just sign someone you have never seen fight or someone you have never seen react to certain circumstances . I want to make sure they remain professional in the sport and faithful to the promotion. And, all of the fighters I have signed and done just that.

What are your short-term and long-term goals for the future of One One Six Boxing Promotions?
Short term: keep hustling. Always strive to be bigger and better, but always remain humble. Long term: Hell, I’m just trying to get through today!