OLYMPICS SPOTLIGHT: Meet the boxer who's ready to prove women can fight like men in Paris! Morelle McCane on the tragic death of her brother, why her mom doesn't watch her in the ring and training with 'great person' Jake Paul

Morelle McCane hates when people say she doesn't fight like a girl. As an American Olympic hopeful in boxing, the 29-year-old craves the chance to show her skills as a female combat-sport athlete on a global stage. 

Women's boxing only made its Olympic debut at London 2012 and is currently in flux for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. McCane is not worried about this possibly being her only Olympic chance. She's only concerned with getting into a ring and throwing hands. 

'It just takes away that stereotype that women are weak and women are fragile,' McCane said at the Team USA Media Summit in New York. 'Like no, we're strong. We're mighty and we're cute too.'

McCane's motivation for why she's so driven in the ring is clear. As the third-youngest of nine siblings, her brother, Gregory, drowned when he was 15. 

Gregory did get to see McCane's first amateur fight in 2013, but died shortly after. When describing her journey in boxing without her brother, McCane held back tears. 

McCane qualified for the Summer Olympics as a finalist at last year's Pan American Games

McCane's younger brother, Gregory Adams, passed away in 2013, the year she started boxing

'I always have a picture of my little brother. He passed away, so I always got to take him with me,' McCane said. 'Just knowing like he was able to see me and he's not able to see this moment, it's a little bittersweet, but I just be looking up like "remember!"'

McCane's bond with her family is clear. When asked to rattle off her eight siblings names, she did so, in order without hesitation. McCane's mother also has a presence at any fight of her daughters she attends, even if it has been a while since she's been in the crowd.

'My mom, she's literally never at any of my fights. She came to like the first few fights that I had,' McCane said. 'And she had the whole crowd praying with her and I'm just like "That's the opponent!"  

'Of course she doesn't want to see her child get hit. So I just have to like, sweep her out the way,' McCane continued about her mother. 'Even if I put her all the way in the back of the stands, you're still gonna hear her.'

The 29-year-old is already qualified for the Paris Olympics, having finished as a finalist at 66 kilograms at the 2023 Pan American Games. 

McCane defeated Canadian Charlie Cavanagh to earn her place in Paris via unanimous decision. She lost the title fight to Brazil's Bárbara dos Santos by the same result. 

Dos Santos is also qualified for the Olympics at the same weight class and it is clear McCane would be happy if a rematch happens under the Olympic banner. 

McCane lost to Dos Santos in the 66-kilogram final last year but wants a rematch in Paris

McCane also revealed she fought in the Pan American Games with a fracture in her left, non-dominant thumb.  

'It was the worst injury ever because my hands are my moneymakers. And if they're not working, I'm not working,' McCane said. 'And I was fortunate enough to pull through and get the silver, but (dos Santos) got another thing coming.'

'I'm 100 per cent now, I'm in therapy. I'm ready. I'm happy that moment was that moment because now going into this moment I'm healthier, I'm happier and I'm just more focused,' McCane added. 

'If it is a rematch, she better pray, she better run,' McCane said of Dos Santos. 

Confidence does ooze out of McCane. When asked if there is one person she is looking forward to competing against, the Cleveland native said there is not any particular person she is preparing for. 

'Line them up and I'm going to knock them down,' McCane said. 

McCane does have a few celebrity connections that have helped her in and outside of the ropes. 

She went to Glenville High School in Cleveland, same as Rich Paul, the agent for LeBron James. Paul also hails from the same neighborhood as McCane. 

James himself is an inspiration to McCane for the difference he has made in her community. McCane remembers when James came to her high school to speak. 

Women's boxing is not guaranteed a place at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028

McCane has trained with Jake Paul and praised him for shining a light on amateur boxing

'I want to be like that or similar!' McCane remembers thinking of being in James' presence.  

Another Cleveland native McCane has shared time with is Jake Paul, who she believes has helped give more attention to amateur boxers. 

'He's a great person. Despite what the media thinks of him, he's actually like warm and like really willing to learn and do this,' McCane said of Paul. 'It's no joke training with Olympians, like we train hard. He kept up and he was doing it.'

McCane did not provide a prediction for Paul's upcoming fight against Mike Tyson, but believes Paul does stand a chance against the 57-year-old legend. 

She's got other things on her mind. McCane is squarely focused on squaring up and doing everything she can to win Gold in Paris and dispel some stereotypes about women along the way. 

McCane takes a bit of inspiration from Tyson, who famously believed in a fight everyone has a game plan until they get punched in the mouth. 

'That's true. And after! Until you get punched in the mouth and after you get punched in the mouth, he forgot that part of the sentence,' McCane said. 'Because after you get punched, you got to have a response.'