Category: Pioneer Female Boxer

Pioneer Female Boxer: Jackie Tonawanda

  Jackie Tonawanda,  0-1-0 (0KO),  dubbed “the Female Ali” was born by the name of Jackie Garrett, in the State of New York, USA, on Sept. 4, 1933. Tonawanda was a pioneer female heavyweight boxer from the 1970s and 1980s.  She was a well-known figure in the sport and was featured in many newspaper articles

Carlotta Lee: Pioneer Female Boxer

Carlotta Lee, who not only boxed but was a registered nurse, who graduated from the University of Houston.  Lee was a  stablemate with Graciela Cassillas.  Lee said at the time, “I think that it’s nice for females to get out and do different things.  They have the abilities just like men.  To me, boxing is

Jackie Holley: Pioneer Female Boxer

JACKIE HOLLEY, a 27-year old in 1984, and a World lightweight Boxing Champion was a very dedicated boxer. She had won the World Title by fighting 15 rounds. She worked long hours training in the gym, but HOLLEY felt it was worth it.   She loved the sport and the excitement that women boxing brought to

Barbara Buttrick – Pioneer Female Boxer

 NATIVES By “Michelle Genz” /April 12, 1998 – The Miami Herald   – It’s nearly impossible to imagine former women’s boxing champion Barbara Buttrick with a bloody nose, harder still to imagine the diminutive English-accented 68-year-old bookkeeper bloodying someone else’s. But as “The Mighty Atom of the Ring,” she not only bloodied but broke three noses

Graciela Casillas – Pioneer Female Boxer

  Graciela Cassillas, born in Los Angeles, California, one of the top female boxers and Martial Artists in the sport that had over 30 pro fights, was one of the true talents that fought in the late 1970’s – 1980’s.  She retired from competition in 1986 having earned the WKA and IWBA Bantamweight championship.  Cassillas said

Pioneer Boxing: Nancy Thompson

  Nancy Thompson, “Little Rock” as she was called around the 5th Avenue Boxing Gym, 5’2″, 112 pounds who fought in the 1980’s. As the San Diego Tribute reported in July of 1980, “She gets into the ring and mises it with the men.  If she can’t find any women who want to trade left

Pioneer Boxers: Louise Loo – photos/story by Jack Pokress

Permission given by Jack Pokress/photos and story – original document in WBAN Archive Files/ WWB Glove, July 1980  Louise is the Frisco Kid.  Born in San Francisco 20 years ago, 5’2″ and eyes of blue and packs a powerhouse punch in both hands.  Known as the Frisco Kid, Louise Loo is a Bantanweight Champion in

Pioneer Boxer: Karen Bennett

  “KAREN BENNETT – A GREAT PIONEER IN WOMEN BOXING, SHE WAS WORLD RANKED #1 BANTAMWEIGHT IN 1979, and WORLD RANKED BANTAMWEIGHT IN THE 80’s” KAREN BENNETT lived and trained in Las Vegas, Nevada.    She had many fights as a Bantamweight, and was the Women’s World Boxing Champion WWBA in the 80’s. BENNETT was very

Pioneer Female Boxer: Sue “KO” Carlson

Sue Carlson donated her boxing gear to a historical museum:  documendation-of-boxing-license  historical society-collects-boxing-gear -2    historical society-collects-boxing-gear-3 It is Monday, January 23, 1978, and in the Minneapolis Auditorium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, history is being made.  Minnesota’s [reported] first professional women’s boxing match is being featured as a preliminary event on an otherwise all male fight card.