Category: WBAN Story

Lucia Rijker -Sumya Anani: Ready for A Close Up? By Bernie McCoy

(MAR 4, 2005) What did “Million Dollar Baby” do for the sport of Women’s boxing? It set the stage for what could be the biggest and most lucrative fight in the sport. The movie, first and foremost, established Lucia Rijker as the new “face” of Women’s boxing. Before the movie “hit big” Rijker was primarily

Laila and Layla: Risk and Glory – by Bernie McCoy

(FEB 13, 2005) A seventeenth century French dramatist, Pierre Corneille, no boxing fan he, once said “When there is no peril in the fight, there is no glory in the triumph.” Those 300 year old words were proven conclusively once again over the weekend when two women boxers, Laila Ali and Layla McCarter both achieved

Laila Ali Staying Busy Until Wolfe Team Steps Forward – By David A. Avila

(FEB 10, 2005) Sitting on the imaginary throne as female prizefighting’s best in the world, Laila Ali steps forward on Friday to show the world once again her pedigree.  Ali, the undefeated daughter of Muhammad Ali, faces the rugged Cassandra Geigger (6-4) in Atlanta, Georgia, in defense of the IWBF light heavyweight title. The fight will

Daughters of Boxing Legends: Jacqui Frazier-Lyde

[Biography by Dee Williams]   Frazier vs. Ali IV was the reason for 5’9″ Jacqui “Sister Smoke” Frazier-Lyde to step into the pro boxing ring. Frazier-Lyde, a Philadelphia attorney and mother of three, is one of former world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier’s eleven children. As an interesting side note, Joe Frazier himself was the 12th

Fighters fight, Promoters promote”….If Only– By Bernie McCoy

Two of the integral ingredients in the business of boxing are fighters and promoters; the fighters fight and the promoters promote. This is especially true for the sport of Women’s boxing which, today, has more talented fighters than at any time since the sport began in the 1970s. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for

Boxing Fans Comments: Laila Ali vs Ann Wolfe – June 2004

  (JUNE 27) Now you REALLY didn’t think that WBAN would let these two go at it, without Boxing fans and the boxing community giving THEIR own two cents?!! Check out the Top Hot Comments sent into WBAN in regards to the Laila Ali vs. Ann Wolfe fight and about the “Smack” talk between these

Christy Martin vs. Lucia Rijker: The Only One–By Bernie McCoy

There is only one fight that will truly energize the sport of Women’s boxing. The surprise, and maybe it’s not a surprise at all, is that the bout is the same one, the only one, that would have energized the sport of Women’s boxing five years ago. Christy Martin and Lucia Rijker need to step

Sunshine Fettkether: Weight a Minute – Story by Bernie McCoy

(OCT 15, 2003) Sunshine Fettkether has made the most successful transition from kickboxing to the boxing ring of any athlete in the sport. Sunshine Fettkether has fought and defeated some of the top women boxers including Mitzi Jeter and Lisa Holewyne. On Saturday, last, in a casino near Lake Charles, LA, Sunshine Fettkether stepped up

Women’s Boxing: TV or Not TV – By Bernie McCoy

Photo Credit:  Sue TL Fox/WBAN – April 21, 2003 – Sumya “The Island Girl” Anani with Team Have you ever heard of the United States Basketball League?  Its a sub-NBA league existing primarily in medium sized markets around the country and populated with  players not ready for the prime time of the National Basketball Association.

Harding loses Pro Debut: But…Showtime is also big loser – by Sue TL Fox

(FEB 23, 2003) Last night on a high profile card that featured mainliner Mike Tyson, in Memphis, Tennessee, Showtime, and the promoter of the event put on an untelevised  “beginner’s bout” four-round boxing match on the undercard that featured former ice-skating princess  Tonya Harding, and her opponent, Samantha Browning.  Browning trained for this match with