The “Coalminers Daughter” Christy Martin seemed to put female boxing in the limelight, winning the WBC Super Lightweight title in 2009. She finished with a 49-7-3 with 29 stoppages.
In addition to Martin, here are eleven others, some retired and some active. Choose which one you feel was or is the best.
Holly “The Preachers Daughter” Holm was the IBA and WBF Super Lightweight champion. His record of 33-2-3 with 9 stopups. He also tried his luck in MMA, going 4-4.
Ann “Brown Sugar” Wolfe was known as one of the toughest female boxers. He fought in four divisions. He won the middleweight and middleweight titles. He was 24-1 with 16 shutouts.
Germany’s Regina Halmich had 40 saves. At 54-1-1 with 16 stoppages, he won titles in four divisions.
Laila “She Be Stingin” Ali being the daughter of Muhammad Ali, was expected to be great. At 24-0 with 21 stoppages, she retired due to maternity. His victory over another daughter of a heavyweight champion Jacquai Frazier Lyde, 13-1 with 9 stoppages was by majority decision.
I felt the decision was questionable. When asked why Ali didn’t stop him, he said “she was still in his face!” Right, and he should get the win to do it.
Lucia “The Dutch Destroyer” Rijker, 17-0 with 14 stoppages. In my opinion, it would be one of the best. An injury ended his career.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa “T-Rex” Shields is currently considered the best female boxer. She was 63-1 in the amateurs losing to Savannah Marshall who defeated her in the pro ranks. Now 15-0 with 13 stoppages holding titles in four divisions.
I was in Atlantic City, New Jersey covering the fight when he defeated Christina Hammer of Germany and KAZ. I felt like every time Hammer went on offense, referee Sparkle Lee would step in and separate them, preventing Hammer from scoring. At 28-1 with 13 stoppages, he never had a rematch.
2012 Olympic gold medalist, current WBO, WBC, WBA, IBF, IBO Super Lightweight champion Katie Taylor, 23-1 with six stops from Ireland, ready to meet WBA, WBO, IBO Featherweight champion Amanda ‘The Real Deal’ Serrano, 47- 2-1 with 31 stoppages from Puerto Rico in November, with Serrano another to consider.
WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF Junior Champion Seniesa ‘Super Bad’ Estrada, 26-0 with 9 stoppages from East LA, California.
