Adaptive boxing champion Claudia "Baby Tyson" Palacios discusses training, titles and Sept. 12 Fairfax bout

Claudia "Baby Tyson" Palacios, the United Adapted Boxing Council (UABC) women's heavyweight champion and UFN international women's champion, described adaptive boxing on the Fairfax County program Connect with County Leaders and confirmed she will fight in Fairfax County on Sept. 12.

Palacios said adaptive boxing involves competitors seated in wheelchairs and matched by weight and skill. "Adaptive boxing... you have 2 opponents, and we are, strapped down in our wheelchair, angled to each other," she said, adding that matches run "3 rounds, 2 minutes, and a minute in between." She emphasized that weight classes and mobility-based skill sets are used to ensure fair matchups.

Palacios recounted how she began training at the DPI Adaptive gym, attending Saturday workouts, moving into one-on-one sessions and then sparring after a coach encouraged her to try the sport. "At first I was like, I don't know about this... I went in, and it just fell in love after that," she said.

Describing her routine, Palacios said team practices are Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., with the first hour devoted to conditioning and the second hour to bag work and technique. "Coach Devon, he's the head coach... At the first hour, we're doing condition work, And the second hour, we're getting in the bag, working on mid work," she said.

Palacios told host Brian Hill she traveled to Spain for competition and returned with two belts. "I went to Spain... Came back home with 2 belts," she said, noting she held both the international and heavyweight titles.

On how residents can get involved, Palacios directed listeners to the DPI Adaptive Fitness website where an adaptive boxing link and coach contact email are posted for those interested in signing up. She also said she supplements training with trail walks around Fairfax County, "a good 2 miles in, maybe 5."

Brian Hill noted Palacios was honored by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and he invited her back to the show. He said he planned to attend her September fight; he closed the program saying, "I'm there." Palacios thanked the host and encouraged community participation in adaptive sports.

The program did not record any formal votes or policy actions; the segment served as an interview and community promotion of adaptive boxing in Fairfax County.