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 popular in Las Vegas, and she was actually neighbors with boxer, Lavonne Ludian.  BENNETT could draw many boxing fans when she was featured on cards.

One of her most surprising accomplishments came when she fought Bonnie Prestwood in 1979, the tough little bantamweight who had KO’d Ernestine Jones.   The fight was the main event at the Incline Village in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.  The promoter was infamous, Bill Dickson, the “Father of Women’s Boxing” in the 70’s.  Prestwood was to go eight rounds with Prestwood, and they had even argued with the boxing commission to be allowed to fight those extra rounds.  But…. the fight never lasted eight rounds and Prestwood KO’d Prestwood in the first round.

When WBAN interviewed Bill Dickson, he could not say enough about Karen Bennett. He felt that Bennett contributed so much to women’s boxing in the 70’s and 80’s.

BENNETT was known for her slim build but  lightning speed.  She had great footwork and body movements that were so fast that fighters had a hard time hitting her.  She did meet her match though when she fought Graciela Casillas. and Shirley “Zebra Girl” Tucker.

BENNETT at one time was offered tennis scholarships for her great abilities in that sport, but her love of sports was boxing.