The paradox behind Emily Klinefelter’s introduction to boxing five years ago was that she took up the sport because of her fear of getting beat up.

You see, Emily and her younger sister, Katy, frequently fought growing up — without the gloves. The skirmishes were confined to their Iowa City home until Katy decided she wanted to start boxing. That’s when Emily tagged along.

“I didn’t want her to be able to beat me up,” Emily said. “That’s why I did it initially.”

Funny how it worked out. That fear is perhaps one of the driving forces behind Emily’s meteoric rise to the top of the national ranks. The 21-year-old University of Iowa senior and City High grad has won 10 national tournaments.

She’s been ranked No. 1 in the country at her weight class. She’s won all four events in amateur boxing’s grand slam.

She’s done nearly everything there is to do at the amateur level in the United States except capture the grand slam in the same year.

What’s more, she’s found enough time to fit 18 hours of training each week into a schedule in which she’s a full-time student with a 4.13 cumulative grade point average in marketing.

The reason Emily is fanatical about boxing is simple, she says.

“No. 1, I’m good at it,” she said. “I’ve never been that good at any other sport. It’s really challenging, and it’s also very fulfilling to win. Every time you fight, it’s overcoming a new challenge. It’s intimidating to get in there and face someone who’s trying to take your head off.”

Ask her why she thinks she’s been successful, and she’ll talk about her mental toughness, her ability to take a strong punch and her power to keep from getting flustered when the fists are flying.

“I’m an intense person,” she said. “I’m intense in the ring, and I put a lot of pressure on my opponents, and I fight hard. And my mean streak comes out when I get in the ring.”

— Andy Hamilton

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