Women's Boxing: It’s Been a Fight Since Day One
Women’s boxing didn’t just show up in the 21st century — it’s been around for centuries. But it wasn’t always celebrated. In fact, it was banned, dismissed, and treated like a gimmick for most of its existence.
Today, women headline major cards, hold undisputed titles, and rake in millions in sponsorships. But how did we get here?
Let’s step into the ring and trace the powerful, punch-packed history of women’s boxing.
1700s–1800s: The Underground Days
Women’s boxing dates back to early 18th-century England, where it was more spectacle than sport. The first documented female fight was in 1722, between Elizabeth Wilkinson and Hannah Hyfield.
Wilkinson—sometimes called the “Mother of Women’s Boxing”—was known for issuing public challenges and taking on opponents in bare-knuckle bouts. These fights were gritty, violent, and often part of traveling carnivals or side shows.
While a few women boxed during this time, society largely dismissed it as improper, especially for “ladies.”
Early 1900s: Gloved But Still Gimmicked
In the early 1900s, women’s boxing started showing up in exhibitions, but it still wasn’t taken seriously. Female bouts were used to entertain crowds between male fights or at fairs. Sometimes, women fought men as a novelty act.
Despite public interest, official sanctioning bodies refused to recognize female bouts, and many states and countries outright banned women from competing.
Still, that didn’t stop fighters like:
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Hattie Leslie – nicknamed the “Female John L. Sullivan”
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Barbara Buttrick – a 4'11" powerhouse who toured the U.S. fighting exhibitions in the '40s and '50s
They laid groundwork — but weren’t yet accepted in the mainstream boxing world.
1970s: The First Legal Fights Begin
The 1970s were a turning point.
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In 1975, Cathy "Cat" Davis became the first woman to appear on the cover of The Ring magazine.
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1976 marked the first time women were officially licensed to box in the U.S., thanks to fighters like Pat Pineda and Marian “Tyger” Trimiar.
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Jackie Tonawanda, a legal pioneer, sued New York State for the right to fight — and won.
Women were finally fighting legally — but still not equally.
1990s: Mainstream Recognition Begins
In 1993, Christy Martin burst onto the scene with a televised fight on a Mike Tyson undercard. She delivered an unforgettable TKO win and instantly made headlines.
Why Christy Martin mattered:
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First woman to sign with promoter Don King
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First to gain serious media coverage
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Helped legitimize women’s boxing on TV and PPV
Around the same time, Laila Ali (daughter of Muhammad Ali) began her career, bringing massive attention to the sport.
Other 90s legends:
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Lucia Rijker – unbeaten and dubbed “The Most Dangerous Woman in the World”
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Sumya Anani – beat Christy Martin in a controversial decision
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Regina Halmich – German icon with over 50 wins
The 1990s didn’t just create stars — it laid the groundwork for championships, rankings, and sponsorship deals.
2000s: Title Belts, TV Deals, and Global Growth
The 2000s saw the rise of structured titles and sanctioning bodies starting to treat female boxing more seriously.
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2004: The WBC (World Boxing Council) created its first women’s title
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More weight classes opened up for women across WBO, WBA, IBF, and WBC
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Fighters like Ann Wolfe, Mary Jo Sanders, and Holly Holm (before her UFC days) dominated the scene
Boxing for women was still second-tier — with shorter rounds, lower pay, and less coverage — but the momentum was building.
2012: Olympic Breakthrough
A huge turning point came in 2012, when women’s boxing made its debut at the London Olympics.
Stars born from the Games:
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Katie Taylor (Ireland): Gold medalist and future lightweight world champion
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Claressa Shields (USA): Only American boxer (male or female) to win back-to-back Olympic golds (2012, 2016)
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Nicola Adams (UK): First openly LGBTQ+ Olympic gold medalist in boxing
This Olympic debut was game-changing. It gave women’s boxing international credibility, attracted youth participation, and opened up funding, training, and global media.
2020s: The Golden Era of Women’s Boxing
Today, women's boxing is thriving. Champions are unifying belts, headlining arenas, and getting the respect they’ve always deserved.
Some of the most iconic moments so far:
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2022: Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano sells out Madison Square Garden — the first female headliner in MSG history
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Claressa Shields becomes undisputed in two divisions and crosses over into MMA
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Alycia Baumgardner, Mikaela Mayer, and Savannah Marshall spark rivalries that drive huge viewership
What’s changed:
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Major platforms like DAZN and ESPN now feature women’s bouts
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Fighters have sponsorship deals with Nike, Everlast, and more
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Female boxing is no longer filler — it’s front and center
The Road Ahead
The future looks fierce.
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There’s increasing demand to move from 2-minute rounds to 3 minutes, like men’s bouts
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Pay equity conversations are gaining traction
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More young girls are training in boxing than ever before
Today’s fighters are not just athletes — they’re activists, role models, and businesswomen redefining what it means to be strong.
Final Thoughts
The history of women’s boxing is full of grit, trailblazing, and transformation. From underground fights to Olympic gold and sold-out arenas, female fighters have had to earn every inch of space in the sport.
They didn’t just wait for permission — they took the gloves, stepped into the ring, and changed history.
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