Women’s Boxing was a Displayed Event Added to the Olympics
Boxing was introduced at the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis. Women’s boxing was a displayed event at the third Olympic games. However, women’s boxing didn’t strike root in the Olympics, while men’s debutants – boxing and freestyle wrestling also having their debut at the St. Louis Games, survived until the present day.
“It is a good thing for a girl to learn to box”
The first record about a boxing class for women. “It is a good thing for a girl to learn to box,” says an article in the beauty column of the “New York Evening World.” Why? Because “poise, grace and buoyancy of movement result from this exercise.” Techniques that schoolgirls were told to practice with their maids included hooks to the face and solar plexus punches. According to the “New York World”, young ladies attending the Madison Academy in New York City also boxed and wrestled. “Annie Lynch, the boxer, was said to hit a harder blow than the average young man. Every blow comes straight from the shoulder, not with awkwardness and lack of speed one would expect, but with the weight of the body behind it.”
Lady Pugilist Beating Male Counterpart Before Fight Stopped
Newspaper article read “Helen Hildreth, the Lady Pugilist, was having the best of it in a mixed fight with Johnny Atkinson, when police and boxing commissioner Fred Wenck jumped into the ring and ordered the fight stopped.”
Jo Ann Hagen Defeats Barbara Buttrick
Barbara “The Mighty Atom of the Ring” Buttrick suffered the only loss of her career, a Unanimous Decision defeat at the hands of Jo Ann Hagen at Victoria Pavilion in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This was Buttrick’s sole defeat in her 31 pro bouts and thousands of supposed exhibitions.
Barbara Buttrick Wins Women’s World Boxing Championship
Barbara Buttrick won the Women’s World Boxing Championship title at 26 years of age, with a Unanimous Decision victory over American Phyllis Kugler at Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio, Texas, USA. The two previously fought to a Draw on August 31th at Municipal Baseball Stadium in Pompano Beach, Florida
The First Main Event on a Card
Darlina Valdez vs. Holley McDaniel was the first Main Event on a card. They fought the longest pro bout by the men’s rules at the time – 15 three-minute rounds and eight-ounce gloves. Beautiful McDaniel, a high school beauty contest winner and mother of a three-year-old, got her nose broken in the 11th round, but continued bravely to the finish (even though she lost the match).
The Birth of Modern Professional Women’s Boxing
Christy Martin fights Deirdre Gogarty. This fight is considered the birth of modern professional women’s boxing in the US. Martin gets the 6-Round Unanimous Decision victory over Deirdre Gogarty.
Official Scores: 59-54, 60-53, 60-53
Following her Father’s Footsteps
Laila Ali followed her father’s footsteps in the sport of boxing, debuting with a 31 second KO of April Fowler at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY
The “First” Male-Female Professional Bout
In what was billed as the “first” male-female professional bout – in Seattle, Washington, Margaret McGregor faces male boxer Loi Chow in a fight scheduled for four two-minute rounds. This event took on international presence, and brought to the surface many troubling issues in the world of women’s boxing. After all of the hoopla was over, it was determined that the fight would be considered an “exhibition” and therefore was far from being the “first” of mixed matches that have taken place off and on throughout the history of women’s boxing.
1st Ever EBU Championship Belt Awarded
Alina Shaternikova earned the first ever European Boxing Union (EBU) Championship belt when she beat Sabina Ritter by Unanimous Decision in Switzerland
13 Year Old Jisselle Salandy Makes Pro Debut
Jisselle Salandy of Trinidad and Tobago makes her professional debut at the young age of 13, a 3rd Round KO over fellow countrywoman Nimba Wahtuse
First Women’s Professional Boxing Match to be Regulated in Argentina
Marcela Acuña defeated Jamilla Lawrence by Split Decision in the first ever women’s professional boxing match to be regulated in Argentina.
Official scores: 39-37.5, 37-39, 39.5-37.5
WBA Crowns it’s First Ever Female World Champion
Canadian Vaia Zaganas dominates Stephanie Dobbs to claim the WBA Minimumweight Championship and becoming the organization’s first ever female champion. Official Scores: 99-91, 100-90, 98-92
Ann Wolfe Delivers Vicious KO
One of the most vicious KOs in Women’s Boxing History – Ann Wolfe delivers a brutal KO of Vonda Ward at 1:08 of the opening round
1st World Title Won by Holly Holm
Holly Holm wins her first world title securing the International Boxing Association World female super-lightweight title with a ten-round, unanimous decision over Terri Blair
Million Dollar Baby Hits Theaters
Million Dollar Baby premiered in theaters, with a premise of: A determined woman works with a hardened boxing trainer to become a professional. Lucia Rijker held a role in the file while Maureen Shea providing boxing expertise to Hillary Swank on her leading role. Shea then adopted the nickname “The Real Million Dollar Baby”
Jackie Nava Becomes the 1st Female Boxer to Win WBC World Championship
Jackie Nava wins the inaugural WBC World super-bantamweight title with a ten-round, unanimous decision over Leona Brown gaining the distinction of being the first female boxer awarded a WBC world title
It Runs in the Family
Laila Ali stops Erin Toughill at 1:59 in the 3rd Round to become the first WBC Super Middleweight champion in Washington DC. Muhammad Ali was ringside for his daughter’s win. Ali stated, “It runs in the family.” Ali was also defending her WIBA belt as well
Inaugural WBC Minimumweight Title
Nanako Kikuchi stops Wannee Chaisena to claim the first ever WBC Minimumweight Championship
Jisselle Salandy Wins Inaugural WBC and WBA Super Welterweight Crowns
Jisselle Salandy, of Trinidad and Tobago, won the inaugural WBA and WBC Super Welterweight Championships by 7th Round TKO triumph over Elizabeth Mooney at Skinner Park in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
From Behind Bars, a Championship is Won
Siriporn Taweesuk, a.k.a. the Black Rose, became the first boxer to win a world championship while incarcerated. Siriporn was serving a 10 year jail sentence for dealing drugs at the time that she faced Ayaka Miyano for the WBC Light Flyweight Championship within the prison facility. The Black Rose won the WBC green and gold belt by Unanimous Decision. For making her Thailand country proud, the champ had three years deducted from her prison term
1 Match: 6 Championship Belts
Jisselle Salandy became the first boxer to win six championship belts in one bout. Salandy outpoints Karolina Lukasik to add the GBU and WIBF Super Welterweight belts to her WBA, WBC, WIBA and IWBF stronghold
Yésica Bopp Wins WBA Title and Defends for Unprecedented Number of Times
Argentina’s Yésica “La Tuti” Bopp won the interim WBA Light Flyweight title over Ana Fernandez by Unanimous Decision, was then elevated to full champion status. As of 2019, Bopp has defended her title 22 times.
Cecilia Brækhus Wins 1st World Titles
10 professional fight Cecilia Brækhus wins her first world titles (WBA and WBC Welterweight Championships) after scoring a Unanimous Decision win over unbeaten Vinni Skovgaard
WBO’s First Womens Champions
Susi Kentikian and Ina Menzer share the honor by claiming WBO’s first female championships on Universum Box-Promotion’s show at Stadthalle in Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
Menzer squeaks by Esther Schouten by Majority Decision to earn the Featherweight championship. Official Scores: 96-94, 95-95, 96-94.
Kentikian deals the first defeat to Julia Sahin to win the Flyweight title. Official Scores: 98-92, 96-94, 97-93.
Inaugural IBF Championship
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) sanctioned it’s first female championship bout on this date between Daniella Smith and Jennifer Retzke in Berlin, Germany. Daniella Smith came out on top by Unanimous Decision with scores of 96-93, 96-94, 99-90 for the Welterweight Championship
First WBC Diamond Belt Bestowed Upon Ana María Torres
Ana María Torres won the very first female Diamond Belt by defeating Jackie Nava at Bantamweight
WomenofBoxing.com was born!
WomenofBoxing.com was born! Due to the lack of news as well as overwhelming biased news coming from the limited news networks covering women’s boxing, theRingside.BIZ Network Administrators were receiving requests for news publishing for the female game. With Richard Spilotro (Chicago Boxing News & UBF COO), Jordan Maldonado (Manager of Amanda and Cindy Serrano), and others started brain storming sessions on creating a NEW unbiased website dedicated to exposing the world to the female sweet science. Women of Boxing: PROGRESSIVE MEDIA MOVEMENT WITH INCREASING ATHLETE VALUE AND RECOGNITION AS THE HEART OF THE ACTION! WomenofBoxing.com is owned by the female boxing community! You make the news!
All Female Show in Tijuana
Alicia Ashley Defeated Zenny Sotomayer, stopping her in the 5th Round, to retain her WBC Super Bantamweight Championship in the Main Event of the Procomiones Mayen all female show in Tijuana, Mexico. Also on the show was Kenia Enriquez UD6 win over Kareli Lopez, Maureen Shea moving through Lesly Morales by UD6, Brenda Flores stopping Guadalupe Bernal in the 2nd Round, Sandra Robles winning 1st Round TKO over Cristina Sarmiento, Tania Enriquez KOing Dulce Galaviz in the opening round, and Sacrol Castro Madrid scooting by Diana Gonzalez by MD
Cecilia Brækhus Triumphs to Become 1st Female Undisputed Champion
WBC, WBA, And WBO Welterweight Champion Cecilia Brækhus defeats Ivana Habazin by Unanimous Decision to add the IBF (last major title) to her unified control.
2x Olympic Gold Medalist Claressa Shields Jumps to Pro Ranks
After earning two Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, Claressa Shields moves up to the paid ranks and wins a 4-Round Unanimous Decision victory over former Team USA teammate Franchon Crews-Dezurn (also her debut). The bout was streamed live on YouTube as part of the Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev I HBO PPV undercard. Official Scores: 40-36, 40-36, 40-36 in what appeared as a lot closer matchup and challenge
Cecilia Brækhus vs. Kali Reis Breaks TV Viewership Ceiling
1.5 million viewers tuned in to Unified Championship Matchup of Cecilia Brækhus vs. Kali Reis at StubHub Center in Carson, California
Commonwealth Boxing Council (UK) Sanctions it’s First Female Championship
The Commonwealth Boxing Council sanctioned for it’s first female championship bout. Anisha Basheel defeated Sam Smith via 1st Round TKO to claim the Commonwealth (British Empire) Championship in the Lightweight Division
Amanda Serrano Wins World Championship in 6th Weight Division
Amanda Serrano defeats Yamila Reynoso by Unanimous Decision to become the first female to win world championships in six (6) different weight divisions. 2011 – IBF Super Featherweight Title 2014 – WBO Lightweight Title 2016 – WBO Featherweight Title 2016 – Super Bantamweight Title 2017 – WBO Bantamweight Title 2018 – WBO Super Lightweight Title
HBO Boxing Signs Off the Air with Women’s Boxing Showcase
HBO Boxing presents their final broadcast with two female boxing championship bouts of it’s three scheduled televised matches. Cecilia Brækhus defends her WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO Welterweight Championship belts against Aleksandra Magdziak-Lopes in the Main Event. The telecast opens with WBC, WBA, and IBF Middleweight Champion Claressa Shields taking on WBO Super Middleweight Champion Femke Hermans
Undisputed: Claressa Shields Hammers Christina Hammer
Claressa Shields becomes the undisputed Middleweight champion of the world after cruising to a unanimous decision over Christina Hammer. The judges scored the fight 98-92 and 98-91 twice. Shields was holding IBF, WBA and WBC titles before snatching the WBO belt from Hammer. Shields also becomes the first female to win the Ring Magazine Belt as well as becoming the 2nd ever Undisputed Champion
Katie Taylor Becomes 3rd Undisputed Champion Ever
The third all four major titles unification took place, at the Lightweight division. Katie Taylor edges out Delfine Persoon to add the WBC and Ring Magazine belts puts her WBA, WBO, IBF belts at Madison Square Garden in New York City
Demand for 3-Minute Rounds Amplified
Seniesa Estrada upset Marlen Esparza in a grudge match of personalities for the interim WBA Flyweight Championship.
Esparza has been outspoken on her request for 3-Minute Rounds. Her demands were answered in a championship bout with a vocal rival in Estrada.
The bad blood was not over with the final results after a Technical Decision stopped the bout short of it’s full 10 Rounds. Esparza suffered a laceration to the forehead due to clash of heads.
Official scores: 88-83, 89-82, 90-81 all for Estrada in a much closer than the scores portrayed matchup.
The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced that Barbara Buttrick, Christy Martin, and Lucia Rijker to be enshrined as the IBHOF’s First Female Class in 2020
International Boxing Hall of Fame’s first female class includes: Barbara Buttrick in the women’s Trailblazer category and “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” Christy Martin and “The Dutch Destroyer” Lucia Rijker in the women’s Modern category for 2020.
Unfortunately, the 2020 Hall of Fame Induction was postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic
Fastest Female Boxing Knockout
At Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, CA, Seniesa Estrada retained her WBC Silver Light Fkyweight belt in a devastating 7 second assault over previously unbeaten Miranda Adkins.
Jessica McCaskill Dethrones Cecilia Brækhus to Become Undisputed Welterweight Champion, 4th Undisputed Champion Ever
In what was billed as Cecilia Brækhus’ historic bid for her 26th title defense to break Joe Louis’ consecutive championship defense record, WBC and WBA Super Lightweight Champion Jessica McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) was motivated to make her own history on the downtown streets of Tulsa, OK on Saturday evening. McCaskill outworked the long time champion en route to a Majority Decision victory.
Official Scores: 97-94, 95-95, 97-93
The International Boxing Hall of Fame announces that Laila Ali, Marian Trimiar, and Ann Wolfe to be enshrined as the IBHOF’s Second Female Class
International Boxing Hall of Fame’s first female class includes: Laila” She Bee Stingin'” Ali and Ann “Brown Sugar” Wolfe in the women’s Modern category and Marian “Lady Tyger” Trimiar in the women’s Trailblazer category for 2021.
The 2021 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend is scheduled for June 10-13, 2021 in Canastota, NY along with the Class of 2019 that was postponed due to the Covid-19 Pandemic
Compiled by:
Jay Kemp, #NextGenChamp | Mark Jones, Boxing Jones