Children’s laughter echoes through the hallways of the Albany Street Elementary School where Katrina “Hurricane” Scalzo teaches, but by evening she trades the classroom for the ring when she steps into the spotlight as a professional boxer.

After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Utica University, Scalzo began balancing two demanding careers – guiding her students by day and pursuing her passion for boxing by night.

Her boxing journey started about four years ago with a simple goal in mind.

“I started boxing to lose weight,” Scalzo said. “A coworker of mine was getting her coaching certification and encouraged me to try it, afterward, I loved it and wanted to learn more about it.”

Scalzo made her professional boxing debut in February at Turning Stone Casino Event Center, where she fought Michelle Cook to a draw. A rematch is expected. The bout marked her move from amateur to professional ranks and drew a large amount of local attention.

The rise of women’s boxing has helped shape who Scalzo is today. High-profile bouts between champions like Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano have drawn millions of viewers, bringing new attention to the sport. Their trilogy became the most-watched professional women’s sporting event of the year, according to Netflix.

Streaming services have helped expand the audience for women’s boxing, showcasing all-women fight cards on major stages. Fighters like Claressa Shields have also gained mainstream popularity for her skill in the ring and presence on social media. This shift highlights how far the sport has evolved beyond traditional coverage, according to ESPN. Increased media attention and higher-level competition have pushed women’s boxing into a new era of recognition.

For Scalzo, what started as a hobby quickly turned into something more serious, but not without challenges.

“I sacrificed quite a bit from what I put into my body from food and drink wise, to my free time and being comfortable,” she said. “I continue to keep pushing my boundaries to see that growth I want.”

Despite the obstacles, Scalzo continues to stay motivated by how far she has come.

“I think of everything I have overcome and endured so far and feel like I can’t stop now because things are tough,” Scalzo said. “I am doing this for myself, and for my coach who believed in me before I believed in me and helped me grow in so many ways, for my team, and my community.” 

Salvatore Ruggiero has been coaching Scalzo for four years now and their relationship continues to grow as she achieves new levels of success.

However, outside the ring, she brings that mindset into her classroom and tries to use it as a teaching tool. She said learning to have “self-control, perseverance, hard work, dedication and discipline, just like Muhummad Ali, myself, and for them too,” help give her students direction while reinforcing her own focus. Taking inspiration from popular boxing figures lets Scalzo apply those values in the ring and everyday life.

Scalzo teaches her students to persevere and to keep going for what they love, no matter what they face.

“I try to instill in them a growth mindset and to never give up in whatever it is they do whether it’s in school, a sport, art, whatever they love,” she said. “Everything takes practice and consistency.”

Balancing both careers is not an easy task. The early mornings, long school days and late training sessions define her routine.

“A typical day consists of going to school, running my mileage, doing some personals or running the beginner class at the gym, then doing my training afterwards,” Scalzo said. “Then I go home, sleep, and do it all over again.”

The hardest challenge is finding time for both careers. “Time management of trying to get everything done that needs to get done and not letting stress of each career carry over into the other career (can be hard),” she said.

Despite the grueling schedule, she stays committed to both roles.

“It is very demanding; I spend most of my free time training,” she said. “Sometimes it calls for double sessions where I wake up early to get some of the work done, then I go to school, then after school I am back at the gym.”

Scalzo said she would not change this for anything in the world and is building her legacy one day at a time.

“It is a huge accomplishment, but it’s also just the beginning of my pro career too,” she said. “I never would have thought I would turn pro in boxing five years ago or even 10 years ago, and I’m very excited to see what I can accomplish in my pro career.”

As the final bell rings in both the classroom and the ring, Scalzo continues to show that consistency and discipline are something she wants to continue to be known for and pave the path for many children and women out in the world.

“You can do anything you put your mind to,” she said. “I got to where I am today because of consistency, dedication, hard work, and my team and my family. I am forever grateful for them.”