1992: Gail Grandchamp a Trailblazer in the sport

After eight-years in court in Massachusetts, Gail Grandchamp of  North Adams, Massachusetts wins her battle to fight as in a ruling by a state Superior Court judge who rules it was illegal
to deny someone a chance to box based on gender. During her battle to win the right to box as an amateur, she passes the age of 36, the maximum age for amateur fighters. Even though she
knew it would not help her as an amateur, Grandchamp continues her successful efforts, and eventually did box professionally for a time.  

In an article that was Regional News and Distributed through Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, the stated the following:  HEADLINE:  Woman Boxer says She’s not getting her Shot, Dateline:  North Adams, Massachusetts

Gainl Grandchamp wants to be Massachusetts’ first female boxing champion but her first-ever bout set for Saturday has been postponed, delaying her dream from becoming a reality, she says.

Grandchamp was scheduled to fight at the Mohawk Performance Center, but the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), official who was supposed to submit paperwork on her behalf so she could obtain necessary permits did not do so in time, she said.

Grandchamp, who lives in North Adams, said she believes the delay by the AAU was deliberate.

Two historical dates:   April 16, 1992 – Grandchamp made boxing history by winning the right for women to box as amateurs under the United States Amateur Boxing Federation;  and July 22, 1992 – after eight years in court, the first two female amateur boxers in the country, Danielle Owczarski and Jenifer Carey, both from Grandchamp’s Boxing club were issued passbooks making them eligible to register and participate as amateur boxers under the U.S.A/A.B.F/

“I’m fed up with all the (stuff) I’ve been through, ” Grandchamp said.  “If I were a man, nobody would care if I got in a ring to fight.  This is all happening because I’m Gail Grandchamp, not Boby Grandchamp.”

Frank Lehan, a state Boxing Commission official, said if there was a delay, it was caused by the promoters of her bout who did not follow rules for holding a state-sanctioned fight.

“They did not contact hte commission to apply for a license as is required by law, ” said Lehan, who added he advised Grandchamp’s representatives las week to apply for the license.

“We still have not recieved the application, ” he said Thursday.

In addition, Lehan said Grandchamp is a professionally licensed boxer and she indicated amateurs would also be on the fight card, which is against rules adopted by the state Boxing Commission.

“The National Amateur Boxing Federation forbides having amateurs and professionals appear on the same card,” he said.  “We’re in the business of conducting boxing, but rules, regulations and statutes have to be followed.”

Despite her anger and frustration, Grandchamp said she is not giving up.

“I want to meet with the governor, and I want to be appointed to the state Boxing Commission.  There has to be someone to represent the interests of women, ” she said.

The posters are still up in North Adams announcing what was to be the first licensed female boxing match in Massachusetts history between the “Blond Bomber” Nadia Hujtyn vs. Gail “The Lady” Grandchamp.

State Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, said he has mentioned Granchamp’s case with Gov. Michael S. Dukakis’ staff, and they have expressed an interest in meeting with her.

“All of the people on the (boxing) commission now have been there for a while,” Bosley said.  “It would be nice to have someone with fresh idea.”

I’d also like to see western Massachusetts represented on the commission.  But the governor is the one who makes those appointments.”

Grandchamp coaches the North Adams State College boxing club, and has just opned her own business, the Grandchamp Health, Fitness and Exercise Club in the Mohawk Center.

While she is pleased with her status with the college boxing club, she said she wants more.

“I want to be the first female boxing champion from the state of Massachusetts,” Grandchamp said.