1954: First Nationally Televised Female Fight: Barbara Buttrick vs. Joann Hagen

Joann Hagen in another Fight

 Barbara Buttrick, of Waterloo, fought and lost to Joann Hagen [Full name: JoAnn Verhaegen] of Indianapolis,  in an eight round bout by a decision.  This fight was the first national televised fight with female boxers.  The fight drew 1,200 boxing fans.

At this time in 1954, Hagen was recognized as the United States Women’s Boxing champion.  In the fight she had an obvious weight, reach,  and height advantage.  According to ringside reports Hagen had little trouble in overwhelming the much smaller boxer, but quick moving opponent.   Buttrick earned great respect for her tenacity and aggression in the ring.

Between rounds, Buttrick breathed deeply from an oxygen tank in an effort to conserve her fading energy. [source/Waterloo Daily Courier Sept. 10, 1954, Page 13].

Hagen threw a barrage of combinations in the fourth round with several hard-hitting rights and lefts, and in that round Buttrick slipped to the canvas.

Post fight, Buttrick told reporters that it was one of the toughest fights in her boxing career.  Buttrick said, “She hit me real hard and I couldn’t get in close enought for a good couter-attack.  In the fourth round, when I went down, she tagged me in the stomach and I was unable to get my breath.  She is a good boxer and one of the best I have been up against in a long time.”

Hagen said after the fight, that she wanted to praise Buttrick for her game display, she was quoted as saying, “She’s a real battler and I’m only sorry we both couldn’t have won.”