This was Women’s Boxing at It’s Very Best – by Alastair Segerdal

WBAN owns the rights to photo:  Shirley “Zebra Girl” Tucker/
we purchased the rights from Alastair Segerdal.  Copyrighted/All rights reserved.

Santa Rosa, a small town of some 70,000 inhabitants and set amidst beautiful countryside 54 miles north of San Francisco, plays host to its favorite daughter, Shirley “Zebra Girl” Tucker in her bid to win the WBB [Women’s Boxing Board] Bantamweight title.

The fight was staged at the Veteran’s Memorial Center by top promoter, Johnny Dublis on April 18th, 1980.  Shirley Tucker was matched against Karen Bennett of Las Vegas, Nevada (number two rated by the WBB) for the crown in the 118 lb. division to be decided over 12 three-minute rounds.

Nearly two thousand cheering fans greeted Shirley as she entered the arena at the hour of 10 p.m.

There was a host of press and TV cameramen who turned their big arc lights on to their local heroine as she climbed into the ring and a roar of ear-shattering approval from the crowd as Shirley beamed back to them.

If the entrance had been dramatic, the fight was even more so, for the thoughts entertained by this partisan crowd for a quick win for Shirley disappeared with the arrival of the first of many stinging right hands from Karen Bennett into the face of Shirley.  Despite being peppered by Karen at every opportunity, Shirley kept driving punches into Karen’s body, occasionally weaving under Karen’s long-roange volleys to deliver more punishing shots into Karen’s head and body.

The second round saw Shirley Tucker’s advancing figure being more and more frustrated and taunted by Karen’s rhythmic punching.  Even Shirley’s attempted body punches under the right hand of Karen, were finding only empty air.  Again, only when she managed to get inside, did Shirley begin to score with painful chops to the head and body.  Then when it seemed that Shirley was beginning to impose her will, she was caught by Karen’s counter-punching and a sudden right hook from Karen sent Shirley’s head and body, ending with a vicious hook to the head.  Shirley buckled.  One more punch could have finished her.  But Shirley psych-ed herself up and fought her way out of the corner by sheer instinct and guts.  Karen was not to realize until after the fight how close she had come to winning in thosefew seconds.

At the end of the round, it had become clear that Karen had worked her opponent out.  Shirley is a fighter, not afraid of tarding punches, and is happiest close in, roughing up her opponentss, bullying and pressuring them into defeat.  Kare’s right hand was causing frustration to creep into Shirley’s face.

Round three saw Shirley’s frustration turn to anger and willing herself forward, the pace of the fight increased to such an exten that any chance to the fight going the distance became remote.

Round four and continued presse from Shirley was beginning to tell.  Slowly she seemed to be dominating her opponent, coming forward, weaving, bobbing, punishing Karen in the clinches and destroying her defence.

Round five saw the classic change of fortunes–Shirley’s real talent was beginning to show.  Her footwork and crips punching were beginning to weave a pattern around Karen.  Karen decided to meet Shirley on her own terms and trade punches in the center of the ring.  Karen, getting the worst of it, tied up Shirley in a clinch, and pushing her off, cut loose with a salvo of shots that shook Shirley.  Almost immediately, Shirley retaliated, ripping through Karen’s defense to put her down.  Karen got up, was asked if she could continue, and survived the round.

It was round six and the end came quickly.  Shirley was not going to let Karen off the hook.  With relentless, controlled aggression.  She cut Karen’s defences to pieces and her ruthless punching power saw Karen dropping sideways to the canvas.  Even though she got up, the referee decided to call a halt to her  skill and brave challenge and to a thunderous roar from the crowd.  Shirley Tucker became Queen of the Ring.

Within seconds it seemed that half of Santa Rosa was in the ring with her, and as the WBB belt was placed around her waist, few could doubt that she could deserve the honour.  Her ability and courage as a professional boxer had impressed even the most critical sports writers and fellow male boxers in the audience.  With the possible exception of one memberof the audience who was at the ringside….a dark-haired and very attractive young lady had been watching with more than casual interest….Grace Casillias….I spy with my little eye….