International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame, WBC Summit and More News
By David A. Avila
Two powerful organizations devoted to women’s boxing meet in Las Vegas, Nevada to propel their sport to the world.
In a four day span the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Council will converge to honor many of the top female fighters of the past and present at the Orleans Casino Hotel on April 2,3,4 and 5th in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Not known to many, is that the Hall of Fame group led by Sue Fox is the preeminent organization when it comes to women’s boxing. Without Fox there is no IWBHF, no WBC, WBA, WBO or IBF organizations representing women’s boxing.
Fox and her group kept women’s boxing afloat with reporting on every single female boxing fight that occurred since she formed WBAN.com in the 1990s. Almost singlehandedly she kept women’s boxing news available.
It was an almost impossible task.
“I remember before going online that one of my family member’s told me that no one would be interested in the history of the sport—even though there was not one website on the net covering the true history of the sport,” stated Fox on WBAN.com
As a former police officer and female pro boxer Fox knew that women’s boxing was not being recorded by the media, so she formed her own media group with the help of others like Mary Ann Owen who photographed as many fights and fighters as possible.
“That ended up being my mission in life—-Giving any and all boxers exposure, whether they had one fight or 50 fights—and I have stuck true to that mission,” said Fox.
Later, with assistance by her friends and colleagues the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame group was formed in January 2014 to recognize the female prizefighters like Christy Martin, Laila Ali and Lucia Rijker who had outstanding careers.
Though there have been some years skipped due to circumstances, the organization continues to recognize extraordinary careers by women in professional boxing and of other women and men who contributed to the sport.
Induction ceremonies for the 12th annual hall of fame this year include: Jackie Nava, Vaia Zaganas, Kina Malpartida, Jennifer Han, Shelly Vincent, Helga Risoy, Diana Prazak, Kara Ro, Kathy Williams, Frida Wahlberg, Jolene Blackshear, Jessica Chavez, Stephanie Jaramillo, Jill Mathews, Carlette Ewell, Yvonne Barkley, pioneer boxer Linda Platt, promoters Don King and Diane Fischer, and Lifetime Achievement Award Daisy Lang, and Special Award recipient for 2025 Brentnoll Bovell.
The two-day event begins on Friday April 4, with “Women Cops Who Box” day that includes the many women in the past and present who box professionally and are law enforcement officials. A dozen women including my good friend Melinda Cooper will be honored. It begins at 1 p.m. and concludes at 4 p.m.
For more information go to this link to book reservations for the IWBHF event. (The WBC event is a separate event.) https://book.passkey.com/event/50767046/owner/32048/home
WBC Women’s Convention
Led by Christy Martin and Laila Ali the WBC Women’s Summit takes place on Wednesday April 2 and Thursday April 3 at the Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas.
A variety of speakers schedule to talk about women’s boxing issues include promoter Roy Englebrecht, Dr. Margaret Goodman, Dr. Paul Wallace, and others including Rachel Donaire, Blanca Gutierrez and Lupe Gutierrez-Beagle.
It’s always a popular event that travels to different parts of the world.
Expect many current and past female and male boxers to attend the event and mingle with the crowd. It’s a great way to meet and greet fans and participants in female prizefighting.
The WBC is one of the leading boxing sanctioning organizations and a strong advocate of women’s boxing and enforces drug testing for its world title events.
More Fight News
Argentina
Aldana Lopez (12-0) won by disqualification after nine rounds against Leiryn Flores (23-6-1) on Saturday Feb. 15. The light flyweight fight took place in Buenos Aires. Also, super feather Florencia Escalante (1-0) beat Veronica Nunez (1-3) in four; and super bantam Leonela Sanchez (1-0) beat Romina Garro (1-2) in four.
Cinthia Gonzalez (4-3-1) and Eliana Orecchia (5-14-3) fought to a majority draw after four rounds on Saturday Feb. 15. The super bantam fight took place in Parana.
Alejandra Herrera (1-4-1) defeated Naila Peloso (0-9-1) by majority decision after four rounds on Saturday Feb. 15. The featherweight fight was held in Santa Fe.
On Friday Feb. 21, lightweights Karen Carabajal (23-2) and Claudia Lopez (26-17) meet eight rounds at Cutral Co.
On Saturday Feb. 22, minimumweights Sol Cudos (9-0-2) and Maria Sol Baumstarh (12-6-1) meet 10 rounds at Buenos Aires. Also, lightweights Micaela Dominguez (4-2) and Lorena Agoutborde (5-8-4) meet six rounds.
Australia
Chloe Chaos (6-1-1) won by decision over Aimee Leher (0-1) after four rounds on Saturday Feb. 15. The middleweight fight took place in Flemington.
Chile
On Saturday Feb. 22, bantamweights Daniela Asenjo (16-4-3) and Tania Garcia (10-10-2) meet 10 rounds at Valdivia. Also, super feathers Genoveva Candia (1-1) and Rocio Bellido (1-0) meet six; super bantams Belen Quiroz (0-0) and Mariela Cama (0-1) meet four; and welters Catalina Castro (0-0) and Carla Ciriaco (0-0) meet four.
Congo
On Friday Feb. 21, middleweights Brigette Mbabe (2-0) and Fila Eyenga (0-1) meet six rounds at Brazzaville.
France
Emilie Sonvico (4-0) defeated Rosa Carrion (0-5-1) by unanimous decision after eight rounds on Saturday Feb. 15. The welterweight fight took place in Uzes.
On Saturday Feb. 22, super flyweights Lauryne Brankaer (6-0) and Yohandri Rondon (10-0) meet eight rounds for a regional title at Chateauroux.
Germany
On Saturday Feb. 22, super lightweights Songuel Ayten (4-2) and Betina Krumholz (1-7) meet six rounds at Stuttgart. Also, super bantams Phannarai Netisri (15-0) and Milena Koleva (10-16-1) meet six.
Mexico
Jadalie Medeiros (1-0) won by decision over Paola Ayala (1-3) after four rounds on Saturday Feb. 15. The minimumweight fight took place in Colima.
On Thursday Feb. 20, flyweights Alondra Sanchez (1-0) and Jean Saintelise (0-0) meet four rounds at Nuevo Leon.
Nigeria
Odunayo Ayanwale (2-1) knocked out Joy Okoye (0-3) in the third round on Sunday Feb. 9. The lightweight fight took place in Lagos. Also, super feather Fathia Olofintuyi (2-0) beat Mariam Joseph (0-6) by majority decision in four.
On Friday Feb. 21, super lightweights Blessing Olawasegun (5-2) and Okonkwo Chinaza (0-2) meet six rounds at Lagos.
Serbia
Nadja Milijancevic (3-0) knocked out Diana Kulinova (4-14) in the second round on Saturday Feb. 15. The super lightweight fight took place in Majdanpek.
Spain
Clara Lopez (2-1) beat Victoria Lomax (0-2) by majority decision after six rounds on Sunday Feb. 16. The super featherweight fight was held in La Iliana.
Teresa Makinen (2-0) defeated Eva Cantos (9-19-1) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Feb. 15. The featherweight fight took place in San Sebastian.
Tanzania
On Friday Feb. 21, super flyweights Jesca Mfinanga (6-4-1) and Mariam Dick (2-0-1) meet eight rounds at Dar es Salaam.
Thailand
Wanasanan Onuch (7-2) knocked out Wilaiwan Naemkrathok (0-6) in the third round on Saturday Feb. 15. The super bantam fight took place in Pathum Thani. Also, super feather Pattarawan Thaosuwan (16-7) knocked out Putchita Klahan (0-6) in two; light fly Natthanan Sangiamchit (6-2) knocked out Chawala Wangarsa (0-8) in two; super light Weisa Li (1-0) knocked out Watsana Thonmanit (0-2) in three; and minimumweight Porwa Thamnawat (2-1) knocked out Chonthicha Chooma (0-5) in three.
Laura Mamedkulieva (2-0) knocked out Siriwan Thongmanit (6-16-1) in the third round on Saturday Feb. 15. The super middleweight fight took place in Phuket. Also, super fly Aigel Khodova (2-0) knocked out Yotsawadee Praphchop (0-1) in the third.
United Kingdom
Tori-Ellis Willetts (6-1) defeated Beccy Ferguson (6-12) in six rounds on Friday Feb. 14. The lightweight fight took place in Birmingham, England.
USA
Amelia Moore (2-0) knocked out Michelle Cook (3-6-2) in the second round on Saturday Feb. 15. The super lightweight fight took place in Uncasville, Conn.
Ali Pajuelo (1-0) knocked out Midajah Rogers (0-1) in the first round on Saturday Feb. 15. The featherweight fight took place in Miami, Florida.
Jennifer Perella (1-1) knocked out Shaunteya McNair (0-2) in the first round on Saturday Feb. 15. The super featherweight fight took place in Bridgewater, Mas.
Yoryina Myers (3-0) beat Jessie Clark (0-4) in four on Saturday Feb. 15. The lightweight fight took place in Lincoln, Nebraska. Also, flyweight Melanie Timko (3-0) beat Brianna Roper (0-1) in four.
On Wednesday Feb. 19, super lightweights Jennah Creason (2-0) and Samantha Ginithan (1-0) meet four rounds at Jamestown, Calif.
On Friday Feb. 21, minimumweights Lupe Medina (8-0) and Agustina Vazquez (4-2-2) meet eight rounds at Santa Ynez, Calif. UFC Fight Pass will show the 360 Boxing Promotions fight card.
On Saturday Feb. 22, flyweights Helen Peralta (3-0) and Lailane Mota (1-0) meet six rounds in Denver, Colorado.
On Saturday Feb. 22, featherweights Melanie Costa (3-0) and Shannel Butler (1-0) meet four rounds at Mashantucket, Conn.
On Saturday Nov. 22, minimumweights Yadira Bustillos (10-1) and Tamara Demarco (12-7) meet eight rounds in Las Vegas, Nevada.
On Saturday Feb. 22, lightweights Stephanie Han (9-0) and Hannah Terlep (5-1) meet 10 rounds in El Paso, Texas.
On Sunday Feb. 23, featherweights Chiara Dituri (9-2) and Colleen Davis (4-2-1) meet six rounds at Brooklyn, New York.
Zimbabwe
On Thursday Feb. 20, super bantams Kudakwashe Chiwandire (6-4-1) and Mercy Mashiri (0-1) meet six rounds at Bulawayo. Also, bantams Patience Mastara (5-10-4) and Sehliselwse Nhliziyo (1-2-1) meet six; and feathers Tarisai Mutsau (0-0) and Phekie Bele (0-0) meet four.