While not the absolute pioneer, Christy Martin`s clash with Ireland`s Deirdre Gogarty nearly three decades ago on the undercard of the Mike Tyson vs Frank Bruno rematch in Las Vegas marked a defining moment for women`s boxing.
This highly visible bout, staged on a massive platform, significantly elevated the profile of women`s boxing, demonstrating to the wider community that female athletes could deliver thrilling, hard-fought, and even bloody contests.
Although Cathy `Cat` Davis graced the cover of The Ring magazine in the 1970s and Jane Couch championed British women`s boxing in the 90s, it was the Martin-Gogarty encounter that provided the crucial international momentum. An estimated 1.1 million viewers tuned in for Martin`s fight via the Tyson vs Bruno PPV.
Following her victory over Gogarty, Christy was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the memorable headline “The Lady is a Champ.” This generated considerable buzz for women`s boxing, leading to Martin appearing on TV talk shows and being regularly featured by promoter Don King on major event undercards.
Richard Hoffer, the author of the SI piece on Christy Martin, seemed to express some reservation towards women`s boxing, using terms like “disquieting” and “disturbing.” Nevertheless, he acknowledged Christy`s fighting ability, commenting favorably on her “considerable skills.”
Christy herself stated she didn`t see her role as making a feminist statement or shattering glass ceilings; rather, she was simply forging her own path for personal reasons. However, it was undeniably Christy Martin`s blood-stained victory over Deirdre Gogarty in March 1996 that initiated significant progress for women`s professional boxing.
Other women also garnered attention for their skills. Lucia Rijker of the Netherlands, for example, was among the finest female fighters I ever witnessed. A potential bout between Rijker and Martin could have been the first women`s superfight, but it never materialized.
Both fighters competed in the lightweight division, and Rijker had long expressed a desire to face Martin. The two had a public confrontation during a workout in March 2000. According to Michael Rosenthal`s report in the Los Angeles Daily News, Martin initiated contact by pushing Rijker, who responded with a left hook. Martin`s account claims Rijker sucker-punched her.
The incident reportedly escalated into quite a scuffle. Radio-show host Pedro Fernandez reported on his website that it took “eight men to separate the fighting females.”
One might assume such a dramatic scene would guarantee a Martin vs. Rijker matchup. However, Don King refused to promote the fight, stating he wouldn`t “reward” Rijker. Rijker eventually retired undefeated, perhaps best known to a wider audience for her role as the intimidating Billie `The Blue Bear` Osterman in the film Million Dollar Baby.
Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali and Veronica Porsche, also concluded her career without a loss. She participated in a pay-per-view bout against Joe Frazier’s daughter, Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York. The fight was shamelessly promoted as “Ali-Frazier IV,” with Laila winning a majority decision.
The meeting between Laila Ali and Christy Martin in Biloxi, Mississippi, in 2003 was widely considered a mismatch that shouldn`t have occurred. Laila was a middleweight, while Christy typically competed around 144lbs and was 35 years old. Although Martin`s announced weight was 159lbs, she weighed in wearing full camouflage gear, suggesting an effort to make weight. Predictably, Ali secured a victory in four rounds.
While fights like Ali-Frazier and Ali-Martin had an element of novelty or “sideshow,” today we see genuinely intriguing, well-matched, high-quality contests. Contemporary female boxers often possess a strong amateur foundation, having competed in the Olympics and various international tournaments.
Who could have imagined back in 1996 that a women`s boxing match would top the bill at Madison Square Garden? Yet, the historic fight between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano in 2022 achieved exactly that. The bout itself arguably exceeded all expectations, featuring 10 fast-paced and furious rounds that seemed to fly by. Their rematch last year was equally thrilling.
This Friday brings the highly anticipated trilogy fight, headlining an all-women`s card at MSG.
The UK also recently hosted its own all-women`s card in March, headlined by Lauren Price and Natasha Jonas competing for the undisputed welterweight title at London`s Royal Albert Hall. Women`s fights are now firmly established as the main attraction, no longer relegated to supporting acts, sideshows, or novelties. We are witnessing high-caliber fights between boxers of genuine skill.
Fighters such as Katie Taylor, Amanda Serrano, Claressa Shields, Alycia Baumgardner, Gabriela Fundora, Caroline Dubois, Chantelle Cameron, and Mikaela Mayer are currently at the forefront of the sport. While many other excellent fighters exist, these names immediately come to mind. A personal favorite is Beatriz Ferreira, whose style is marked by action and aggression, and who seems to genuinely enjoy fighting.
The sport also offers compelling storylines, including the intense Taylor-Serrano rivalry, the unique sister-brother world championship duo of Gabriela and Sebastian Fundora, and the remarkable comeback of Holly Holm at the age of 43.
Let`s briefly mention Holly Holm, the `Preacher`s Daughter` from Albuquerque, New Mexico. She returned to the boxing ring last month after a 12-year absence spent competing in MMA, famously knocking out Ronda Rousey with a head kick. Holly appeared as sharp as ever, comfortably outpointing her Mexican opponent on the Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. undercard.
For Holly, age truly seems to be just a number. Her ability to potentially compete at lightweight after such a long hiatus is astonishing. Among promising newcomers with star potential is 18-year-old Tiah Mai Ayton, who displays maturity beyond her years and looked sensational in her professional debut last month.
Other fan favorites include 20-year-old Francesca Hennessy, who brings a vibrant joie de vivre to her bouts and holds a professional record of 6-0.
I`ve also been impressed by Ashleyann Lozada, who represented Puerto Rico in the Olympics. A relatively late starter in the professional ranks at 33, Lozada is a southpaw 122-pounder with an appealingly aggressive approach, holding a record of 2-0 with 1 KO. Given that she`s advised by Mark Taffett, the former HBO PPV executive who also works with Claressa Shields, it indicates she possesses significant potential.
From Japan, Mizuki Hiruta, the WBO champion at 115lbs, is a former acrobat who injects fun, flair, skill, and natural athleticism into her fights. The southpaw, with an 8-0 record (2 KOs), is almost mesmerizing with her distinctive pink hair and colorful ring attire.
Los Angeles promoter Tom Loeffler, known for his work with the Klitschko brothers, features Hiruta on his shows in Southern California. Hiruta, who consistently appears cheerful outside the ring, trains in Los Angeles under the experienced guidance of Manny Robles.
The fighters mentioned here represent only a selection and are by no means a complete list of the many excellent women boxers globally. It is clear, then, that women`s boxing has well and truly established itself. This Friday`s all-female event marks yet another significant step forward.
However, the journey hasn`t been without its skeptics. Consider an article from 2001 by the late Bert Randolph Sugar. While acknowledging women`s right to fight, the prolific author added: “But I also retain some rights, such as the right not to watch.”
Those words were written a considerable time ago. Would Bert still hold that same opinion today, 24 years later, given the tremendous progress and achievements in women`s boxing? It is highly doubtful.
Oliver Croft