A Texas amateur boxer-turned-cheerleader went viral after her dad recorded her shadowboxing on the sidelines of a youth football game at AT&T Stadium in Dallas — and he hopes the clip of “Mighty Mia” throwing hands on the field inspires young girls around the globe.
Of course, Mia Pinney, 14, of Ingleside, is no crunch-and-punch queen — she’s the national top dog in the female 75- and 85-pound weight classes for her age, according to Channel 3 News in Corpus Christi.
Her dad — and boxing coach — Jordan Pinney was wary when she said earlier this year that she wanted to be a cheerleader, too.
“I didn’t want it to interfere with her boxing and the goals that she has, because she is a national champ,” Jordan said. “She does have a lot of talent, and she also has the capability to be a world champion someday.”
But he acquiesced in the end — and last weekend, the father-daughter duo found a new way to blend the two sports in a video that quickly became a viral sensation.
“I was in the middle of cheering and my dad was like, ‘Hey, let’s get a video of you,’” Mia told the network. “And I was just like, ‘Dad now is not the time or place.’”
But she overcame her embarrassment and started to move on the sidelines of the Dallas Cowboys’ field, cutting sharp angles as she flung effortless combinations into the air.
“I went down there, and I started shadowboxing, and I just thought it was going to be like any other video,” Mia said.
Jordan recorded the 10-second clip from the stands, then posted it on her Instagram page with the caption, “Have you ever seen a cheerleader box like that?”
The Coastal Bend girl quickly became insta-famous for her slick skills, racking up 380,000 likes on the video that was later shared by ESPN, garnering millions of views.
Instagram commenters marveled at her boxing acumen and made jokes about her ferocious style.
“If she says, ‘Give me a Y!’ You better give her that Y,” one quipped.
“Guess who ain’t getting picked on at school?” another user said.
“She got more fight in her than the team that plays in that stadium,” a third said, mocking the Cowboys’ lackluster season.
Her dad hopes the clip will influence girls his teen daughter has never even met.
“I truly think that the video will inspire young girls all over the world,” said Jordan, who coaches at a nonprofit that teaches kids to box.
But “Mighty Mia” — who first laced up the gloves at age 6 — said she’s hoping recognition from the video helps her get opportunities and sponsors in the rough-and-tumble boxing world.
“I just kept on putting God first and I kept on showing up every day, even the days that I didn’t want to,” Mia said.
Now, the 2028 Olympic hopeful is focused on her looming bouts at the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships in Richmond, Virginia, later this month.
But Jordan said he’s thankful his daughter picked up the new sport — despite his prior reservations.
“She’s also been able to go on to the cheer team and make new friends and learn a new skill,” he said. “I believe it has truly helped her boxing also.”