MARION BERMUDEZ, A NATIONAL KARATE CHAMPION, COMPETED AGAINST MEN IN THAT SPORT, SHE ENTERED THE  A.A.U. PHOENIX GOLDEN GLOVES, BEAT HER FIRST MALE OPPONENT!   

MARION BERMUDEZ caused headlines on March 28, 1975,  when she entered a A.A.U. Arizona Golden Gloves Competition, and proceeded to     beat her first opponent.   Two of the Phoenix Amateur Athletic Union officials     were suspended after allowing her to compete against the men.    They went     on to say that Bermudez could be barred from any future events sanctioned by that organizations. BERMUDEZ had only practiced for about a week before the competition began.  She surprised the officials and the crowd when winning her first bout.   BERMUDEZ second opponent, who went on to win the championship, stopped her in the first round.  BERMUDEZ went on to to succeed in women boxing by becoming # 1 as a World Featherweight, and #2 as a featherweight in the 1984 ranking. BERMUDEZ, who was the first woman to graduate in Arizona State University’s electronics technology program.  She entered the Golden Gloves to  expand her knowledge of the martial arts. 

On March 30, 1975, the Yuma Daily Sun, Page 18, they reported that the A.A.U. indefinately suspended AL FENN, President of the Arizona Golden Gloves Association, and state tournament director HARRY GINN for allowing Marion Bermudez to compete in the state tournament. Bermudez said, “I don’t think the AAU was right.  I feel really badly about it.  They really stuck their necks out for me and I’d like to help them anyway I could.”

MIXED MATCHES

 MARION BERMUDEZ vs. EDWARD PARRAS – Win  KO First round MARION BERMUDEZ vs. FERNANDO GRANILLO – Loss KO First round SOURCE/BOXING ILLUSTRATED, JULY 1975 – Event occurred March 28, 1975 – mixed match,