In a remarkable celebration of athleticism and perseverance, Yessica “Kika” Chávez Valencia has been inducted into the 2025 International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame (IWBHF). This prestigious recognition not only highlights her successful boxing career as a professional boxer but also underscores her impact on the sport of women’s boxing. From her early days in
Helga Risoy was born and raised on a quaint island in northern Norway, surrounded by the love of her grandparents and five uncles. Navigating between two islands for school was a daily adventure that imprinted resilience in her character from a young age. At just nine years old, Risoy discovered her passion for kickboxing through
Few stories resonate as deeply as that of trailblazers who defy societal expectations. One such remarkable figure is Yvonne Barkley, a pioneer in women’s boxing and now a proud IWBHF inductee into the 2025 International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame (IWBHF). This honor not only celebrates her tenacity and skill within the ring but also
Written by Christopher Benedict Nellie Bly arrived in New York City in 1887 out of work, out of money, and about to accept an assignment for which she had to pretend to be out of her mind. As groundbreaking an opportunity as it was for an investigative journalist and social activist, hers was no task
Story written by Christopher Benedict “You know, this is a man’s world. We live in a man’s world. We have to constantly defend what we believe in,” Cora Degree, formerly Webber, said to me during our recent talk. “But that’s a good thing, because we’ve proven ourselves quite a bit from where it was.” She’s
Written by Christopher Benedict From Tobacco Farm to Moulin Rouge November 16, 1926 was opening night for the rechristened Seven-Eleven Club in midtown Manhattan, 47th Street and 7th Avenue to be precise, after having been padlocked by Federal decree back in March when it was known as the Chummy Club. An entirely African American revue
Written by Christopher Benedict Sometimes Truth is Stranger Than Fiction Shortly after Jackson Lake Park Ranger Harry Grace heard gunshots coming from up the mountain road, a distraught young man swinging a suitcase riddled with bullet holes burst through the door of his station house, babbling a breathless, barely coherent story about the gruesome discovery
Written by Christopher Benedict Known as ‘The Frisco Kid’ after the City by the Bay which was her hometown, flyweight Louise Loo made her boxing debut eight months after the release of the Western comedy movie of the same name featuring Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford. Paula Trichel was Loo’s costar on March 6, 1980,
Written by Christopher Benedict Boxing and show business have long gone hand in hand. In many ways, the two are inseparable and sometimes indistinguishable. The roll call of professional prizefighters who appeared on film and television either during their career or after they hung up the gloves is a lengthy one and includes the likes
Written by Christopher Benedict “The majority of women in professional boxing is in it for the money. Otherwise, we wouldn’t subject ourselves to the catcalls and remarks on how undignified boxing is for young ladies,” Shirley Tucker wrote in an October 18, 1977 editorial printed in the San Francisco Examiner. The byline simply carried her