Ann Wolfe
- Light middleweight
- Middleweight
- Super middleweight
- Light heavyweight
Ann Wolfe (born January 17, 1971) is an American retired professional boxer, trainer and actress. Wolfe held world titles in three different weight classes simultaneously[citation needed] and is regarded as one of the greatest female boxers of all time.[1] She is a member of the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame.[2]
Personal life
Wolfe was born in Oberlin, Louisiana and moved to Austin, Texas where she spent most of her childhood. She moved back to Austin in 1996 with her two daughters and one son. After being homeless and working construction, she met her original trainer 'Pops' Billingsley.[3] She fought her amateur fights under Billingsley's tutelage and started fighting as a professional for RPM Promotions.[4]
Amateur career
Wolfe had a record of 3–1 as an amateur boxer and fought at the 1998 U.S. National Championships. She won a decision over Tami Hendrickson of Seattle in the quarter-final by 50–39, then went on to stop Shanie Keelean of Chicago within 46 seconds of the first round. In the semifinal Wolfe lost to La'Kiea Coffen by a disqualification at 1:23 of the third round.[5]
Professional career
Wolfe made her professional debut by beating Brenda Lee Bell by a four-round decision. Her first and only career loss came four fights later, when she was knocked out in three rounds by veteran and future world champion Valerie Mahfood.[6]
Wolfe beat Vienna Williams by a ten-round decision to win her first world title, the IFBA Jr. Middleweight title.[7] She beat Gina Nicholas by knockout in three to win the vacant WIBA Light Middleweight title. She then proceeded to beat Shirvelle Williams by knockout in one round on a non-title bout.[8]
Next was the vacant IFBA world Super Middleweight title, which she picked up by knocking out Marsha Valley in six rounds. She and Valley fought again, this time with the vacant WIBC's version of the title, and Wolfe won by knockout in round ten.[9]
Wolfe avenged her defeat against Mahfood by taking the NABA World Super Middleweight Championship from her with a ten-round decision.[10]
Wolfe vs. Ward
On May 8, 2004, in Biloxi, Mississippi,[11] Wolfe matched Henry Armstrong's record of three world titles at the same time in different weight classes,[citation needed] by gaining the IBA world Light Heavyweight championship, knocking out undefeated champion and former NCAA basketball star Vonda Ward at one minute and eight seconds of Round One.[12][13] Ward had a neck concussion because she hit the canvas with her neck when she fell. She was taken to the hospital in serious condition due to damage to her neck and head. The bout was nationally televised, with television commentators called it "the best knockout punch in a women's boxing history".[14]
Later career
Wolfe retained her title in a rematch with Valley by a sixth-round knockout.[15]
On July 19, 2005, Wolfe defeated Monica Nunez by a seventh-round knockout in Lula, Mississippi.[16]
On August 20, 2005, she fought and defeated Valerie Mahfood for the second time, by a ten-round decision.[17]
Retirement
Wolfe last fought in 2006, knocking out Cassandra Giger and decisioning Lisa Ested.[18] She has since worked as a boxing trainer.[19][20]
In 2015, Wolfe was inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame.
Training career
Wolfe has trained many amateur and professional boxers, including her oldest daughter, Jennifer Fenn, and light-middleweight James Kirkland.[21][22]
Film career
Wolfe was cast by director Patty Jenkins in the role of Amazon warrior Artemis in the 2017 film Wonder Woman.[23]
Professional boxing record
26 fights | 24 wins | 1 loss |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 16 | 1 |
By decision | 8 | 0 |
No contests | 1 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
26 | Win | 24–1 (1) | Lisa Ested | UD | 6 | Jun 4, 2006 | FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. | |
25 | Win | 23–1 (1) | Cassandra Giger | KO | 2 (4), 0:53 | Apr 29, 2006 | Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, Louisiana, U.S. | |
24 | Win | 22–1 (1) | Valerie Mahfood | UD | 10 | Aug 20, 2005 | Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. | Retained WIBA and IBA female light heavyweight titles |
23 | Win | 21–1 (1) | Mónica Núñez | TKO | 7 (8), 3:00 | Jul 19, 2005 | Isle of Capri Hotel & Casino, Lula, Mississippi, U.S. | |
22 | Win | 20–1 (1) | Marsha Valley | TKO | 6 (10), 1:17 | Jun 18, 2005 | FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. | Retained IBA female light heavyweight title |
21 | Win | 19–1 (1) | Genevia Buckhalter | TKO | 1 (6), 1:09 | Mar 5, 2005 | Isle of Capri Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. | |
20 | Win | 18–1 (1) | Cassandra Giger | UD | 6 | Nov 5, 2004 | Fitzgerald's Casino & Hotel, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S. | |
19 | Win | 17–1 (1) | Vonda Ward | KO | 1 (10), 1:08 | May 8, 2004 | Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. | Won WIBA and vacant IBA female light heavyweight titles |
18 | Win | 16–1 (1) | Deborah Fettkether | UD | 8 | Oct 11, 2003 | Grand Casino Coushatta, Kinder, Louisiana, U.S. | |
17 | Win | 15–1 (1) | Valerie Mahfood | UD | 10 | Aug 23, 2003 | Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. | Won vacant WBA-NABA super middleweight title |
16 | Win | 14–1 (1) | Marsha Valley | TKO | 10 (10), 0:48 | Dec 21, 2002 | Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. | Won vacant WIBC super middleweight title |
15 | Win | 13–1 (1) | Genevia Buckhalter | TKO | 2 (4), 0:39 | Sep 25, 2002 | Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
14 | Win | 12–1 (1) | Marsha Valley | TKO | 6 (10), 1:06 | Jun 21, 2002 | Convention Center, Waco, Texas, U.S. | Won vacant IFBA super middleweight title |
13 | Win | 11–1 (1) | Shirvelle Williams | TKO | 1 (4), 1:40 | Apr 25, 2002 | Civic Center, Laredo, Texas, U.S. | |
12 | Win | 10–1 (1) | Gina Nicholas | TKO | 3 (10), 0:47 | Nov 16, 2001 | Convention Center, Austin, Texas, U.S. | Retained IFBA light middleweight title; Won WIBA light middleweight title |
11 | Win | 9–1 (1) | Diane Clarke | RTD | 4 (6), 2:00 | Jul 14, 2001 | Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado, U.S. | |
10 | Win | 8–1 (1) | Vienna Williams | UD | 10 | May 15, 2001 | Convention Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. | Won vacant IFBA light middleweight title |
9 | Win | 7–1 (1) | Patricia Linton | TKO | 1 (6), 0:36 | Apr 19, 2001 | Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
8 | Win | 6–1 (1) | Kelly Whaley | TKO | 5 (6), 1:19 | Feb 2, 2001 | Hilton Hotel, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | |
7 | Loss | 5–1 (1) | Valerie Mahfood | TKO | 3 (6), 1:17 | Nov 30, 2000 | Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
6 | NC | 5–0 (1) | Christine Robinson | NC | 1 (6) | May 24, 2000 | Kenner, Louisiana, U.S. | Fight stopped after Robinson was cut from an accidental head clash |
5 | Win | 5–0 | Gina Nicholas | KO | 2 (6), 0:17 | Apr 26, 2000 | New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | Mary Ann Almager | TKO | 1 (6), 0:41 | Feb 11, 2000 | Kenner, Louisiana, U.S. | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | Demetra Jones | TKO | 1 (4) | Jan 20, 2000 | Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | Dakota Stone | UD | 4 | Oct 9, 1999 | Mercer Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | Brenda Drexel | SD | 4 | Oct 17, 1998 | Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort, Canyonville, Oregon, U.S. |
See also
- List of boxing quadruple champions
- List of boxing triple champions
- List of light middleweight boxing champions
- List of middleweight boxing champions
- List of super middleweight boxing champions
- List of light heavyweight boxing champions
References
- ^ "Women's Boxing: Ann Wolfe Biography". Wban.org. Archived from the original on 2015-05-07. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Press Release: Ann Wolfe Enters the 2015 IWBHF". www.iwbhf.com.
- ^ Ecksel, Robert (Dec 20, 2011). "The Girl Who Cried Wolfe". Boxing.com.
- ^ Golianopoulos, Thomas (June 6, 2017). "The Wonder of Ann Wolfe". The Ringer. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
- ^ "Wolfe's for real in ring and has compassion outside it - boxing - ESPN". ESPN. 2006-08-01. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Guess Who is not afraid of Ann Wolf? Interview with Laila Ali". Doghouseboxing.com. 2004-11-15. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Is Laila Ali Running Scared From Ann Wolfe? You Decide!". Eastsideboxing.com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Ann Wolfe revisited on Tonight's Real Sports". Boxingnews24.com. 2011-06-21. Archived from the original on 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ Christ, Scott (9 May 2011). "James Kirkland Reunites With Ann Wolfe, Fight with Mayorga Being Discussed". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ [1] Archived April 6, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Michael David Smith %BloggerTitle% (2007-05-28). "Women's Boxing: Ann Wolf Knocks Out Vonda Ward". Aolnews.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-07. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Ann Wolfe vs. Vonda Ward - Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Anne Wolfe Interview: "Ali's legacy didn't live on through his daughter!"". Eastsideboxing.com. 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ VinRoKK (2011-06-23). "Ann Wolf: Inventor of Torture Devices and Spirited Boxing Trainer". Fightjerk.Com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Brian Vera, James Kirkland highlight boxing card for Oscar De La Hoya's fight night at Frisco's Dr Pepper Ballpark - ESPN Dallas". ESPN. 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Friday's ESPN boxing event will put Austin in sport's center ring". Statesman.com. Archived from the original on 2011-09-04. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "The Boxing Tribune's Fights of the Week | thebtbc.com". Theboxingtribune.com. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Kirkland plans comeback fight, future without Austin's Wolfe". Statesman.com. Archived from the original on 2011-04-02. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Benefit for Ann's Wolfe Pack - Sports". The Austin Chronicle. 2011-01-07. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Ann Wolfe Discusses James Kirkland's Knockout Loss - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ Gerald Rice. "Exclusive Boxing Interview : James Kirkland and Anne Wolf". Saddo Boxing. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
- ^ Esco, Wil (Dec 21, 2016). "Ann Wolfe Talks About Training James Kirkland". Bad Left Hook.
- ^ Golianopoulos, Thomas (June 6, 2017). "The Wonder of Ann Wolfe". The Ringer. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
I wanted the real deal...I wanted someone walking around that you look them in the eye and you knew you didn't want to mess with them.
External links
- Official website
- Boxing record for Ann Wolfe from BoxRec (registration required)
Preceded by Inaugural Champion | WIBA Light Middleweight Champion 16 November 2001–1 March 2002 Vacated | Succeeded by |
Preceded by Trina Ortegon | IFBA Middleweight Champion 21 February 2002–21 December 2002 Vacated | Succeeded by Vacated |
Preceded by | WIBA Light Heavyweight Champion 8 May 2004–29 May 2004 Vacated | Succeeded by Gwendolyn O'Neil |