Akondaye “Calm Before the Storm” Fountain is much more than just the top contender for the title of World Champion in women’s boxing.  She is a well-rounded athlete, a highly educated professional, a devoted wife and mother, and an active Christian who believes that through Christ all things are possible.

Akondaye was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on November 12, 1972 where she was raised and began her journey as a lifelong athlete.  Since her days in junior high school, Akondaye has participated in competitive sports such as soccer, basketball, and track.   Upon graduating from Highland Park High School in 1991, Akondaye was offered an athletic scholarship to play basketball at the college level in Minnesota.  However, she chose to relocate to Texas to be near her mother who had previously relocated.  Akondaye attended Texas Southern University from January, 1992 – December, 1996 where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.  During her college tenure, Akondaye was a member of the TSU track team where she competed in and was division champion in the Heptathalon.

After graduating from college, Akondaye continued both her athletic pursuits as a Fitness competitor from 1997 – 1999.  This endeavor included participation in events where contestants were judged on their overall fitness as measured by tone, physique, definition, endurance, flexibility, and strength.  During her final year of competition, Akondaye qualified for the national championship.  In addition to training for these events, Akondaye was also beginning her career as a social services professional, working full-time in a mental health agency.  In the midst of these activities, Akondaye was engaged to her husband Joseph Fountain and the two were married on September 12, 1998.

1999 was a year of transition for Akondaye.  She began to further her education by pursuing her Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Houston at Clear Lake.  She continued her full-time social service career working with foster children.  By the year 2000, Akondaye was determined to achieve her goal of becoming a world-class athlete and chose the sport of boxing to showcase her abilities.  She began training at the amateur level at the Main Street boxing gym in downtown Houston. 

During the course of her amateur career, Akondaye finished graduate school and began her family.  In May, 2002 she graduated with a Master’s of Science in Counseling and on July 17, 2002 Akondaye gave birth to her daughter, Serenity.  Upon returning to work, she changed from working with foster children to doing counseling in a psychiatric facility.  Akondaye completed her amateur career with a 4-1 record and became a professional fighter in 2004. 

Akondaye steadily moved up in the professional rankings and was #1 in her weight class in at the beginning of 2006.  While progressing in her professional boxing career, Akondaye also continued her education and social service career development.  She passed the state exam and became a Licensed Professional Counselor April 11, 2006.  She has established her private practice in counseling and is currently studying for a Psychology Doctorate degree at Capella University.  In April, 2006, Akondaye took a hiatus from boxing for her second pregnancy and she gave birth to Caleb on December 13, 2006.

Currently, Akondaye continues her pursuit to become world champion and trains at the Savannah Boxing Club in Houston, Texas.  Her team consists of trainers Ronnie Shields and Hylon “Cedric” Williams, conditioning coach Brian Caldwell, and manager Tobias “Keith” Scruggs.  Mr. Shields is a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame and was recognized as the Trainer of the year in 2002. Cedric Williams, also trained two-time world champion Valerie Mahfood.   Mr. Caldwell holds a BS in exercise physiology and an MS in applied physiology and has been the owner of CB Fitness for over 10 years.  Mr. Caldwell’s notable clients include Juan Diaz, Jose Diaz, Rocky Juarez, and Frankie J.