on april 30, 2022, history will be made when amanda serrano and katie taylor present a billboard inside madison square garden. the first time women will participate in the main field event, the showdown pits two of the world’s top stars in their prime. it’s a matchup and a moment that shows how far we’ve come in women’s boxing.
boxing has seen some of the greatest female stars give it their all in the ring. From multiple champions, record breakers and history makers, women’s boxing has had its fair share of dominant athletes. now, more than ever, all eyes are on female athletes, and women’s boxing is heating up.
In honor of Women’s History Month, sports news takes a look at some of the greatest athletes to ever compete in a boxing ring.
who’s your favourite?
more: 2022 boxing calendar: date, division, location of upcoming fights
10. holly holly
Starting on the list is former ufc bantamweight champion holly holm. “The Preacher’s Daughter” is the only fighter who has a world boxing title and a UFC one, since she started her career in boxing before MMA.
Holm made his boxing debut in 2002 and won the IBA Light Welterweight title as well as the WBA, WIBA, IFBA, IBA, GBU welterweight titles. With nine wins by way of knockout, Holm defeated Anne Sophie Mathis, Diana Prazak, Christy Martin, Mia St. John and Mary Jo Sanders. while mma ended up being his current home, boxing holds a special place in holm’s heart. There’s no denying Holm’s pioneering status, especially on this list.
9. christian martin
One of the most important figures in women’s boxing history, Christy Martin’s longevity and tough nature have cemented her status as one of the greatest female fighters in boxing history. “The Coal Miner’s Daughter” made her professional debut in 1989 and would go on to win the WBC Super Welterweight title in 2009. The first woman to be inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, Martin was also inducted into the hall of fame. famous international boxing.
martin, at one point, was working with evan holyfield, evander’s son, and from time to time attends some boxing matches. There can only be one Christy Martin, and boxing is lucky to have someone like her.
8. laila ali
Next on the list is Muhammad Ali’s daughter, Laila Ali. Making her pro debut in 1999, Ali became the first woman to headline a pay-per-view event against Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, the daughter of Joe Frazier, in 2001.
more: katie taylor, amanda serrano set to make history inside madison square garden
Ali is a former IBA, IWBF, WBC and WIBA Super Middleweight Champion as well as an IWBF Light Heavyweight Champion. Being the daughter of a legend can bring a lot of pressure, but everyone managed to thrive under it. A TV personality now, one has to wonder how Ali would fare against the current generation of fighters.
7. anna wolfe
Owner of one of the greatest knockouts in boxing history, Ann Wolfe is as tough as she looks. Making her debut in 1998, Wolfe is a former WBA-NABA Super Middleweight Champion as well as an IBA Light Heavyweight Champion. In 2004 against Vonda Ward, Wolfe knocked her out with a devastating first-round punch that is still talked about to this day.
wolfe ended his career in 2006, but he continues to give back, training fighters like james kirkland. She has also appeared in movies like Wonder Woman. With 16 wins by way of knockout, it’s no wonder the hall of famer is on this list.
6. regina halmich
boxing fans in usa. uu. You may not be familiar with her, but Regina Halmich is considered one of the most influential female boxers of all time. The German wrestler helped popularize the sport in Europe.
halmich won the ibf flyweight title in 1995 and defended it a total of 29 times. he also won the ibf super flyweight title and the ibf lightweight title. Fighting aside, Halmich was into modeling and owned her own cosmetics business. With sixteen knockout wins, Halmich was someone who meant business, in and out of the ring.
5. lucia rijker
considered “the most dangerous woman in the world”, lucia rijker is a kickboxing and boxing champion. She is a former Wibf Welterweight and Wibo Junior Welterweight Champion, and is a member of the International Women’s and International Boxing Hall of Fame.
His dangerous striking ability allowed him to play a key role in Million Dollar Baby. Boxing fans couldn’t see if she was up against Christy Martin, but there’s no denying that the woman with 14 knockout wins was someone she feared today.
more: why claressa shields is optimistic about better salaries for female fighters in women’s boxing, closing the pay gap
4. cecilia braekhus
Until recently, “the first lady” was the gold standard when it came to title fights.
cecilia braekhus is one of only ten female boxers in the history of the sport to hold all four major titles at the same time. after collecting more gold, she would end up defending her title 25 times. The Norwegian would beat the likes of Jessica Balogun, Mia St. John, Ivana Habazin, Erica Farias, and Kali Reis.
braekhus would ultimately taste defeat in 2019 against jessica mccaskill, and then again in a rematch in 2021. as the dominant champion of her time, braekhus was a fighter from another world.
3. coats of arms of claressa
Sometimes it’s hard for a fighter to back up their words easily. for the “g.w.o.a.t.” Claressa Shields, that’s not a problem for her.
shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has already become the undisputed middleweight champion and has already taken over the light middleweight division in just twelve fights. Taking on the best fighters in the world, Shields has beaten the likes of Hanna Gabriels, Christina Hammer, Ivana Habazin, Marie-Eve Dicaire.
Not only has she been dominant in the ring, but outside of it, shields has become a strong advocate for female fighters getting equal time and pay. she is also dipping her feet in mma, showing that she is up for any challenge. At just 27 years old, Shields has yet to reach her prime. years to come could see her top this list.
2. Amanda Serrano
Amanda Serrano, one of the most decorated female boxers of all time, whether male or female, is a seven-weight world champion. Making her professional debut in 2009, Serrano has moved up and down the weight class with great success. She is currently on a 28-fight win streak, her last loss was in 2012 against Frida Wallberg.
since then, serrano has defeated eva voraberger, yazmin rivas, heather hardy, daniela romina bermudez and fatuma zarika.
Not only is she a talented boxer with 30 knockout wins, but she is also multi-talented. she competes in mma matches and has shown an interest in professional wrestling. Serrano is behind Manny Pacquiao for the record of titles won in different weight divisions. Her next date with destiny is against Katie Taylor inside Madison Square Garden, where history hangs in the balance.
1. katie taylor
Undisputed lightweight world champion katie taylor is highly regarded by many in boxing. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist made her debut in 2016 and has taken down a killer row of competitors. Taylor has defeated Jessica McCaskill, Victoria Bustos, Eva Wahlstrom, Rose Volante, Delfine Person, Natasha Jonas and Jennifer Han. the two personal fights of hers that she competed in were extremely entertaining and opened the eyes of many to who she is.
In her amateur career, the Irish fighter has won five world championships and six European championships. Taylor has over 170 amateur wins, an incredible mark to go along with her undefeated professional record. An enduring fighter, Taylor may be peaking her event at 35.
Teaming up with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing, Taylor has become a must-see artist not only in the UK. but within the united states. His history and reign speak for themselves.
A fight against Amanda Serrano is coming up, and both fighters are ready to show exactly what they can do. only one can leave msg with bragging rights and gold.
Who will be called the victor?