Exhibition Bout: Caroline Svendsen vs. Jean Lange

Caroline Svendsen is no longer a curiosity – by Steve Sneddon

It only took Caroline Svendsen 50 seconds to knock out Jean Lange Friday night in the first known pro bout between women sanctioned by a state athletic commission. After the quick victory in Virginia City, the 34-year-old Miss Svendsen hugs a well-wisher (left). Above, Miss Lange grimaces as Miss Svendsen’s right hand approaches her chin. “I was excited . . . surprised. I couldn’t believe it. It was really fast,” Miss Svendsen said.  [Gazette Photos by Marilyn Newton]

VIRGINIA CITY – The lady isn’t a curiosity any longer. She’s a fighter.  “I like boxing,” Caroline Svendsen said. “When I do something I do it good. “I’m out to be good at boxing . . . I’m determined.”

Miss Svendsen, who has a Dons Day smile and a left uppercut reminiscent of Olympia. Wash.,  Middleweight John L. Sullivan, showed the determination Friday night.

Miss Svendsen, who wondered for a while if she’d ever get her chance to be a fighter, proved Friday she knows how to fight.  Miss Svendsen, 138, Virginia City,  stopped Jean Lange, 133, Los Angeles, in 50 seconds of the first round of a scheduled four-round exhibition in the parking lot of the Delta Saloon

“She’s a very good fighter,” Miss Lange said after the bout.

The 1,200 fans sitting in the makeshift arena watched Miss Svendsen, a part time cocktail waitress and construction worker, use two left uppercuts to stop the 35-year-old meat cutter, who is a former wrestler The 34-year-old Miss Svendsen, the mother of a 19-year-old daughter and grandmother of a five-year-old boy, became the first woman pro boxer licensed in the United States when shewas licensed in July by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Documented statements that this was an EXHIBITION:  WBAN also researched this with the Nevada Athletic Commission/They have no records of this fight being Sanctioned.  WBAN also contacted FIGHTFAX/They believe that this fight among most female fights in this era were not sanctioned, they have NO records of this fight or many others.

 However, it didn’t look like a certainty she’d reach the ring until three weeks ago when Jim Deskin, the executive secretary of the Nevada Athletic Commission, said he would approve the bout if it was billed as an exhibition Deskin wasn’t at Friday’s exhibition bout, which was on the card headed by the Terry Hmke-Harold Carter main event. Deskin is traveling in Europe Before the bout, Miss Svendsen said she’d be trying for the knockout win since there wouldn’t be a decision if it went the four-round distance.

“I couldn’t believe it when I knocked her out,” she said. “I was trying it . . but the scary part was that she didn’t get up after the count of 10.”

Miss Lange, who said she fought a woman named Toma to a four-round draw on an Indian reservation near Sacaton, Ariz , in a non-state athletic commission sanctioned bout in 1973, didn’t move for 20 seconds Miss Svendsen said she and her manager, Ted Walker, have plans to continue her career

“My manager has a few bouts lined up in Oregon, but I can’t say right now where they’ll be,” she said.

Miss Svendsen said she was concerned about Miss Lange when she was down, but not overly concerned. “Either they get hurt or I get hurt,” Miss Svendsen said. “She was out to get me down fast. . . only I was stronger.” Miss Lange did connect with a wild left to Miss Svendsen’s face in the opening seconds, but the punch didn’t faze Miss Svendsen. Although she was overpowered, Miss Lange said she wanted a rematch “I definitely can take her the next time,” Miss Lange said. “She showed me a few good punches . . . but that’s about it

“Next time I think I’ll be in the shape to take her ” Miss Lange said the only time she’s

been in the gym m the last six months was Thursday night.

Editorial:  Edwardville, Illinois, dated September 20, 1975, page 8/original article from the Gazette Journal in Reno.