Women In Boxing (vtbox)


  • Announcements
    The International Boxing Hall of Fame, Class of 2002, is unique as it includes the first female inductee into the Hall of Fame. Aileen Eaton, promoter at the legendary Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles (1942-1980) has been elected posthumously. Eaton was one of boxing's most consistent promoters, staging weekly boxing shows at the Olympic, and promoting more than 2500 fight cards, 100 title bouts and 10,000 matches during her career. (Induction Weekend, June 6-9th in Canastota, New York)

  • Selected Readings
    Kent, Graeme. Boxing's Strangest Fights. Robson Books, London, 2000.
    Sekules, Kate. The Boxer's Heart: How I Fell in Love with the Ring. Random House, New York, 2000.
    Smith, Malissa. "The Promise of Women's Boxing" Rowman & Littefield, New York, 2024.
    Toulmin, Vanessa. A Fair Fight: An illustrated review of Boxing on British Fairgrounds. World's Fair Publications. Oldham, England, 1999. Chapter 2: Lady Boxers - Girls in the Ring, and Chapter 8: Esther McKeowen - A Century of Memories.

  • Tough Girl - Story by Zach Dundas - Iron fisted welterweight Molly McConnell fights for an amateur title and a little respect
    Willamette Week, Vol. 28, No. 10, January 9, 2002, p. 16-18, 20 & 23.

  • Websites
    Women's Boxing Archive Network: http://www.womenboxing.com
    Women's International Boxing Federation
    www.usaboxing.org - for amateur rankings
  • Historical Journey

  • June 13, 1928 - Santa Monica, California. A knockout is evident, for Miss Ida Kiegel seems to have Miss Vivian de Ritz on the ropes, all set for the old sleep producer. The two girls are seen indulging in a scrap on the beach at Santa Monica, California, in preparation for an entertainment to be given later. (Around the World in Pictures).
    Plattsburgh Daily Republican, June 13, 1928, p. 11.

  • September 10, 1999 - New York - Story by Wendy Bounds, "Move Over, Rocky Balboa." Our Reporter Dons Gloves, Lands Jabs, Stays Up; Plus, She's A Girl!
    In a sweltering warehouse gym beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, I stand clad in shorts and a tank top, plastic mouthpiece clenched between my teeth. It is a languid Friday evening in June, and instead of a glass of wine I clasp two cherry-red boxing gloves, 10 ounces each. A leather mask covers my head, and I am sweating.
    See full story in The Wall Street Journal, September 10, 1999, p W5.

  • April 20, 2000 - Beekmantown, New York - Story by Steve Ouellette, "Area Teen Decides To Step In Ring"

    Jamie Dubay's athletic world used to consist of backflips and balance beams. Until, that is, she decided she'd rather beat people up. A 17-year old senior at Beekmantown Central School, Dubay made a bizarre switch of avocations this winter - a switch that will make her the North Country's sole representative at the Everlast Women's National Boxing Championships in Midland, Texas, today through Saturday. "I guess it's kind of unusual," admitted Dubay, who competed on the gymnastics team at AuSabale Valley this past fall before transferring to Beekmantown. "I've been interested in sports since I was about ten and I just wanted to try something new. "My mom was kind of shocked, but she's been supportive." Dubay discovered women's boxing on the Internet and found the idea intriguing, though personal experience with fighting was limited to several impromptu bouts with her older brother. "It was about 50/50 who won," she said. None of her friends, even those who had heard of women's boxing, ever imagined the 5'3" Dubay would become a trailblazer, of sorts in the sport. "They couldn't believe it," she said. "In school, I'm quiet, I'm not really a fighter. I'm the type who would back away from fights." She found the Bantam Boxing Club of Winooski, Vt., on the Internet as well and began going to the gym in January. She works out about once a week, perfecting her jab, hitting the heavy bag and sparring with both men and women. "It's been pretty interesting," said Dubay. "The best thing is that if you have a bad day, you can really relieve all your frustration there." Dubay's coach said that the teenager already shows promise in what has always, until recent years, been a male-only sport. "She's only been involved in the sport for a short time," said Billy Lefebvre of the Bantam Boxing Club, "But she is progressing very well." Women's boxing is still in its infancy, as shown by the Women's National tournament itself. Dubay has not yet had an official bout, but she earned a spot in the nationals by simply filling out a form. She'll be one of eleven competitors in the 139 pound weight class. The boxers will fight three two-minute rounds per bout until only one is left standing. "I'm just going to go in with confidence and have fun with it," said Dubay. Dubay plans to stick with boxing, but will work it around her schedule next year as an accounting major at Plattsburgh State. Woe to the first person who questions her ledger.
    The Plattsburgh Press-Republican, April 10, 2000, p. B3.

  • Vermont Golden Gloves 2001 - Women's Championships
    Fresh off her second round TKO of Crystal Gilbert in last week's 132 lb match, Kristine Slattery of Winooski's Bantam Boxing club likely will square off against Cordelia Frewen of Lewiston, Maine, in the championship. The win over Gilbert was just Slattery's second fight after winning her debut at last year's tournament, and the eighteen year old is gaining confidence with each trip into the ring. "I've learned to be more aggressive. Last year, I fought more defensively and this year I'm more offensive. I want to be throwing more punches, less passive," Slattery said. Slattery admitted to being intimidated in the Gilbert fight and seemed tentative in the early going before jumping to a sizable points advantage by peppering her opponent with left jabs and then finishing her with a pair of hard rights. This week, Slattery plans to come out swinging. "As soon as the bell rings I'm going to be right up in her face and not let her get anything."
    Burlington Free Press, February 2, 2001, p. 5D