Boxing is one of the most watched sports in the world. People love the sport for sheer thrills and players’ fighting spirit. Like men’s boxing, women’s boxing is also loved and appreciated by many sports lovers across the world. It proves that women, like men, have strong fighting spirit and skills in them. Women’s boxing was first introduced in Olympics in 1904. Two 13-year old girls participated in the event. Since then, the great game has produced many famous female boxers.
Unfortunately, boxing is strictly prohibited for females in some countries. However, in rest of the world, women boxers are highly respected and their matches draw a large number of crowd. Many countries and celebrities are promoting female boxing and it is a big encouragement for the budding women boxers.
There is no short-cut to succeed in the world of boxing. If it comes to women, a longer and more rigorous struggle awaits them. Though women’s boxing has been popular for decades, sometimes, the biggest stars don’t get the equally skilled and aggressive competitors in the ring to put up a rousing fight.
Table of Contents
History of Women’s Boxing
Boxing, as a sport for female, has gained massive publicity and popularity in the recent years. However, exceptional athletes have always been a part and parcel of the rich history of female boxing. There have been documents of female fighters since 18th century.
However, sports authorities made female fighting illegal for decades and were most unwilling to grant any license or sanction to professional female fighters. The first female boxing match was organized in the UK in 1998. Women’s boxing was included in the London Olympics in 2012.
In this blog, we will talk about top 10 female boxers in the world.
Claressa Shields
The 28-year old boxer turned a pro in 2016. Since then, she has been a name in the boxing ring. Shields has grabbed two titles in 1 (168). She could have won more titles but the lack of suitable opponents limited her success. In fact, she had to switch to mixed martial arts temporarily.
Claressa is considered one of the greatest American female boxers. She is the only women boxer to defend all the four most prestigious titles in boxing. In 2021, she was voted the best female boxer.
After voting bout in February, 2022, she was put up against Savannah Marshall in a middleweight showdown. Savannah is the only boxer to have handed a shocking defeat to Shields in the amateur ranks.
Amanda Serrano
Amanda is a seven-division world champion. The 34-year old is the most celebrated boxer – both men and women – of all time. Since making her professional debut at the age 21, Amanda has achieved great success by undergoing rigorous weight training that has helped her increase and decrease the pace of her classes.
She has handed defeat to some of the big names in women’s boxing, including Fatuma Zarika, Daniela Rom Bermudez, Heather Hardy, Yasmin Rivas and Eva Wolaberger. Her 28-game winning streak is not an easy feat and talks a lot about her mettle and determination.
She is the only female boxer to have won world titles in more than four weight classes. She has been awarded the first “Super World Championship”.
Amanda is a multi-talented sportsperson. She is interested in wrestling and has participated in MMA fights. She is only next to Manny Pacquiao in owning the record of winning multi-weight title.
Katie Taylor
The Irish boxer will turn 37 on 2nd July. One of the most accomplished amateurs in women’s boxing, Katie’s rise to the top since her turning pro in 2016 Olympics is both surprising and inspiring. She clenched her first world title in her seventh bout. Katie continued to add feathers to her cap by becoming unified champion in her ninth bout and the undisputed champion in the “135 pounds” category in 14 flights. She is a popular name in both the UK and the US.
She headed to her career-best fighting with Amanda Serrano on April 30, 2022. The bout was organized at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The event became the most touted talk of the city as many experts called it the “biggest women’s fight of all time”. Taylor was declared winner by split decision.
She has won gold medal in five consecutive Women’s World Championship and got her sixth time gold at European Championship. Katie is very popular in Ireland and doing a lot in her capacity to promote women’s boxing in her native country and abroad.
Ann Wolfe
The 53-year old is mostly known for winning one of the biggest knockouts in boxing history. The rough-and-tough role model is a former WBA-NABA super middleweight champion and started her boxing career in 1998.
Ann also became IBA light heavyweight champion. In 2004, her devastating punch knocked out Vonda Ward in the first round. With a rare feat of 16 knockout victories, she has made her way to the Hall of Famer. Surprised?
Cecelia Braekhus
Cecelia is the first female boxer in the history to win WBA, WBO, WBC and IBF titles simultaneously. Her name appeared in the Guinness World Records for the first time in 2018 with three recognitions for being the Longest Reigning Female Boxing Champion, Most Undefeated Bouts by Female World Champion Boxer and Longest Four-Belt Undisputed Boxing Champion.
The Norwegian boxer and kickboxer is, by far, one of the top women boxers in the world. She successfully held her title 25 times. The 41-year old has contested with the likes of Kalleith, Mia Saint Herjohn, Jessica Balogun, Erica Farias and Ivana Haberdin in her long stellar career.
She was finally defeated by Jessica McCaskill in 2009 and second time, in a 2021 rematch. Cecelia, the most dominant boxer of her time, is considered an otherworldly combatant in the ring.
Lucia Rijker
The 55-year old was always reckoned with force in the ring. She was the first Dutch female boxer to have got a license in boxing. The professional boxer and kickboxer also enjoyed her brief acting career.
After retiring, she now works as a trainer and gives motivational speech to the budding boxers. Lucia became an inspiration for many women because she took up boxing at a time when there were not many to patronize women’s boxing.
Lucia has an incredible fighting spirit and a style of her own. She is the Master of the Game. She has never been defeated in life and it has earned her the nickname, “The Most Dangerous Woman in the World.”
Laila Ali
The daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Laila Ali debuted in 1999 and 2001. Born to an all-time great in boxing is a blessing but also comes with a lot of responsibilities. All eyes were on her when she made her professional debut. However, Laila has done really well.
The four-time undefeated world champion became “Hall of Famer” twice. Laila retired undefeated from professional boxing, still holding the IWBF light heavyweight title and IBA, IWBF, WIBA and WBC female super middleweight title.
Laila is now a famous TV personality.
Regina Halmich
Regina, born in 1976, is one of the greatest players women’s boxing has ever produced. She made her 29 successful defences and clenched the IF women’s flyweight title.
Regina was the defending champion when she retired from professional boxing. She also won light flyweight and super weight titles. She was a star in in the flyweight division.
Christy Martin
Christy Martin, now 55-year old, has got the nickname of “The Coal Miner’s Daughter”. Her tough attitude, agility and skill in the ring have earned her the status of one of all-time greats in women’s boxing history. After making her professional debut in 1989, it took her 10 years to win WBC super welterweight title.
Jessica McCaskil
Jessica is an American boxer. The two-time weight world champion held the WBA female super lightweight title from 2019-20 and the WBC super lightweight title from 2018-20.
Wrapping Up
Women’s boxing is a popular sport almost all over the world. Some women boxers have ruled the ring with their amazing and unmatched talent. In this article, we have covered the top 10 female boxing players’ names and why they are considered greats in the history of boxing.
