"She was so good, so fast," said Melvie, now 16, remembering her opponent and her first sparring session more than a year ago at Kalakaua Recreation Center. "I felt so intimidated."

She found herself wondering if she would land at least one good hit and fearing that she might end up with a black eye. Would she be able to last the first round?

The Farrington High junior is among a growing number of females heeding the call of boxing rings nationwide. The number of girls and women registered with USA Boxing Inc., the governing body for all amateur boxing in the United States, went from 572 in 1995 to 2,212 last year.

"Overall, it has increased because of the exposure that (boxer) Laila Ali has given, and Jacqui Frazier and Christy Martin," said Ed Galapia, head coach of Kalakaua Boxing Club and one of Melvie's coaches.

Boxing officials may see another spike in women's membership with the release of "Million Dollar Baby," a Clint Eastwood flick that offers a glimpse into women's boxing — the good, bad and ugly. The adult drama, to be released in Hawai'i theaters Friday, stars Eastwood as Frankie Dunn, a hardened boxing trainer, and Hilary Swank as Maggie Fitzgerald, a poor waitress who dreams of establishing herself as a fighter.

Eastwood and Swank won Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 16 for "Million Dollar Baby" — Eastwood for best director and Swank for best actress — and the film is being called a strong Oscar contender. In the movie, Swank's character toughs it out in a testosterone-driven sport.

"People think that boxing is about throwing punches and beating each other up," said Kawano, a one-time professional fighter who has been coaching boxers since 1994. "But they don't realize that with boxing, a lot of it is about defense, technique and strategy."

Kawano also stressed the safety involved with amateur boxing, which requires female fighters to use padded gloves, headgear and chest protectors.

"So it's safe," Kawano said. ... "If you hit somebody hard, you hit them with four inches of padding — a couple inches with the glove and a couple inches with the headgear."

Teen in training

Clint Eastwood plays a rugged trainer, and Hilary Swank is a spunky boxer in "Million Dollar Baby," which opens here Friday. Merie W. Wallace • Warner Bros. Pictures

Boxing trainer Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) reluctantly takes on Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), who proves she's got what it takes. Merie W. Wallace • Warner Bros. Pictures

During a recent training session at a Kalihi gym, Gina took to a punching bag with unforgiving hooks and jabs. The Moanalua High sophomore — at 5-feet-3 and 94 pounds — had on a pink tank top and tousled ponytail that danced around with each blow to the bag.

"Everybody said that boxing was only for boys, and I wanted to prove them wrong," said Gina, taking a break from her workout.

A self-described tomboy, Gina grew up with two younger brothers, one of whom was a boxer and introduced her to the sport when she was 10. Gina has kept up with boxing because it keeps her in shape and "it's really fun," she said.

"I started off boxing boys because there weren't any girls to fight," Gina said in her soft, girlish voice. "I did good and surprised everybody."

Over the years, Gina constantly felt she had to prove herself, fighting in a sport dominated by men and living in the shadow of her brother, who had made a name for himself at local boxing tournaments. Such challenges only made her stronger.

When preparing for specific fights, Gina can be found training nearly every day after school, often two to three hours each time.

"She's very disciplined," said Gina's father, Greg Ramos. He and wife Amy Ramos, both 35, own a towing company.

Like any typical local girl, Gina enjoys going to the beach with her family. The aspiring clothing designer also likes to sing and play the guitar, and is a member of her school's paintball, science and photography clubs.

"But she loves boxing and I'm proud of her," Greg Ramos said. " She actually got started because my son needed a sparring partner ... and she just got really good."

The hard-hitting sport truly is one of Gina's first loves.

"Boxing means a lot to me because it shows me that I can stand up for myself and for what I believe in," she said.

Gina's biggest fight was in 2003 at the National Labor Day Championships in Kansas City, Mo.

She lost by a split decision but came home with a silver medal, further convincing her that she would take this sport "as far as it can go," she said, possibly even making a career of it. Until then, she looks forward to participating in the state Junior Olympics in April.

"Gina has a lot of potential," Kawano said. "She's a good defensive boxer and she's got good footwork."

A packed schedule

Melvie has yet to experience her first official USA Boxing fight but continues to train for Police Activities League bouts.

"This is another way of relieving stress," said Melvie — also a petite 5 feet tall and 99 pounds — during a recent after-school workout. "A lot of teens nowadays, because they have a lot of free time, they get into a lot of trouble. (Boxing is) a way to get you out of trouble."

Melvie fits training into a schedule that includes school and a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant. She typically works out two to three days a week after school and for at least two hours each session at Kalakaua Recreation Center.

Other favorite pastimes include shopping with friends and eating out with family, said Melvie, who wants to go into psychiatry, childcare or "anything that helps people."

Melvie's dad, Victor Cuestas, 44, is a single father who holds two jobs. His packed schedule means he has yet to see Melvie in action, but he knows how much the sport means to her and supports her endeavors.

"What she loves, I love, too," said Cuestas, an immigrant from the Philippines.

Melvie enjoys boxing so much that she highly encourages other girls to get into the sport.

"Men aren't the only ones who have the ability or power to (do this)," Melvie said. "Girls have it, too. They just have to believe."

In fact, Melvie got her own sister, 13-year-old Mayleen, to join Kalakaua Boxing Club in September. The Kalakaua Middle School 8th-grader said several of her friends also have joined, thanks to her big sister.

"I think she inspires a lot of girls," Mayleen said.

When not in fight mode, Melvie is a playful teen, her eyes perfectly made up with black liner and shimmery shadow. But once her gloves are on, so is the game.

Wearing a black tank top, gray camouflage shorts and Converse shoes, Melvie worked a punching bag until she glistened with sweat. She looked like a hardened fighter — a far cry from the nervous newbie she described earlier.

"She's earned every (amount of) respect that she has gotten so far," said Galapia, her coach.

He praised Melvie for her physical and mental strength, as well as her willingness to listen and work hard.

"Women have always been exceptional in that they train as hard as men, if not harder, just to be considered equal," Galapia said.

Melvie has indeed come a long way from her first practice bout more than a year ago — when fear and intimidation overpowered her.

"I didn't want to fight her again," Melvie remembered thinking during the match.

But after the first two-minute round, the girls would go at it one more time. A little sore from hits to her eye and ribs, Melvie hung tight, doing well for a beginner — punching, blocking and moving like she had been trained to do. The fight ended with no official winner or loser, but the feeling of accomplishment was all that mattered to Melvie.

"I didn't want to do it anymore," she recalled. "But then, I guess it's in me to never give up."