How many of you fellow Classic posters have changed our opinion about the fair sex boxing, over the years ? I confess that 20 - 30 years ago,I had pretty stereotypical male chauvinistic views about it. Only the dirty raincoat brigade would turn up to watch it etc......etc. In more recent times,though,I've done quite a turnabout on it. The skill level is pretty high in amateur and professional ranks. Discuss.
I have no less respect for dedicated female fighters than I do male. I'm simply not really interested in watching it. I tried watching some of the Olympic matches recently, but so help me, watching a fight be interrupted for a broken bra strap is very disorienting. I swear Freda is the only one to earn true ATG status.
For me, it was when I first saw Christie Martin KO some other gal in brutal fashion that I saw some women can actually do well in the sport. There were times when a card was highlighted by Martin's match by the way she dominated her opponent. Then along came Lucia Rijker and her hard hitting style. She amassed a record of 17-0, with 14 KO's in the boxing ring and has a record of 35-0, with 25 KO's in kickboxing. Too bad the much anticipated match between Martin and Rijker never happened.
Was put off by the idea of a woman getting smacked in the face, even if it was by another woman so I've virtually never watched it. But the little I've seen at the Olympics has impressed me and I may watch a little more in the future.
There are plenty of really good female fighters and I have followed them over the years. Check out the Olympic finals. The U.S.'s Claressa Shields is only 17 and she is very talented, so much so that she made it to the finals despite the ridiculous anti-American AIBA scoring.
I've posted about this before, my posts might have given the impression I think female ATGs could match male ATGs. I don't think females can. But if the female boxing base would be bigger their quality would improve and they would be more competitive against men. Could be fun. Laila Ali is a cherry picker.
Mixed gender fights would be idiotic. No one is calling to see WBNBA vs. NBA or Serena Williams vs. Roger Federer. But woman vs. woman in any sport can yield very good, entertaining, and interesting competition that brings out the best in both competitors. All it takes is more tv exposure and you will see a lot more very good competition amongst women. They are out there. They just need the exposure.
Ann Wolfe was a beast. Her knockout over Vonda Ward is one of my favorite KOs of all time. I like Holly Holm too. Her first fight with Sophie Mathis reminded me a lot of Evander Holyfield's first fight with Riddick Bowe. Holly got pissed off at Sophie's illegal antics and abandoned her style to go toe to toe with a much bigger and stronger opponent. She recently beat her in a rematch.
Lot of talent, christie martin was a beast. I respect it, but personally do not enjoy seeing women battered. The recent gold medalist for the USA Claressa shields could go pro and succed, im sure shell finish high school then pursue college if she wants or go pro. By the way Laila Ali is absolutely beautiful, I did not know that. so anyway i believe women boxers are very talented but i dont wanna watch a girls face get busted up, as far as modern and educated technical skills i don't really know female boxers. Laila can kick my ass anytime though Haha
