Most Interesting People 2011: Cashmere Jackson

Cashmere Jackson

Boxer | 23

Why she's interesting ... Snakebite jabs, pistonlike punches, and a motor that moves her around the ring like a frantic pingpong ball have made Cashmere Jackson the No. 1 female boxer in the country at 141 pounds. She is a member of Team USA and also a favorite to represent the country and Cleveland at the next Olympics.

On getting started in boxing ... As a teenager Jackson was getting into a lot of trouble. So her dad, who was a boxer, set her up with a trainer. "One day, while at the gym, he put me in the ring to spar with some boys, hoping to relieve my aggression. It worked."

Male sparring partners ... She doesn't mind the cut lips or black eyes that she gets when training. "I've been hurt sparring against the boys, but I always want to experience my worst trauma in the training gym so I'm stronger in the real fight. I take boxing real serious. I give it my every last breath."

Before a fight ... She always wishes her opponents good luck. "They're going to need it. They don't know what I got. I do. I wouldn't want to get hit with my punches."

On being a role model ... All the little kids in the neighborhood come to her whenever there's trouble. "They know me and call me KO."

Goals as a boxer ... To win a gold medal at the Olympics. "I want to be a champion for Cleveland like Kelly Pavlik is for Youngstown."

Browns backer ... "I'm a diehard Browns fan. I'd go down and support them even if I was the only one in the stadium. One of these days, they're going do it."