January 1980: Open Letter by pioneer female boxer Shirley Tucker on WBB Glove Magazine

Photo credit:  Alastair Segerdal [WBAN bought his collection before he passed away]

Shirley “Zebra Girl” Tucker wrote the following:  Recently I read about Grace Casillas being crowned Champion of the WWBA Bantam title.  While I do think that she is deserving of top rating, under myself, I must make it very clear and that as Number 1 contender for the Women’s Boxing Board Title, I am only interested in fighting for the WBB title.

I have signed to fight a 10 round main event in January and anothher in February of 1980 and will be fighting once a month.  By June of 1980, I expect to fight for the WBB World Title.

I will fight Casillas for this title only and not for the WWBA title which does not interest me.  If Casillas persists in her demands of only fighting for her WWBA title then I will fight the next available contender and will probably a never fight Casillas.

Women’s Boxing Board is the most organized governing body for womens boxing and its title is the only one in my opinion which has importance and prestige.  I notice other rating groups popping up like wild flowers across the country, but none of them on far have been able to surpass the accomplishments of WBB.

I recently traveled in Nevada to see Debbie Kaufman fight Karen Bennett to a draw.  I think Kaufman and Bennett are both good fighters and good people but suffice to say, neither can beat me.

I conjecture to say that if Casillas ever gets into the ring with me that her career will be over.  Don’t get me wrong.  I think Casillas and her manager are good people and Casillas is defintely a good fighter but I AM BETTER!

After I win the WBB title I plan to fight for a couple of years and make enough money to buy a Cocktail Lounge and quit boxing.  This is my main goal.