Million Dollar 'Bummer' by Brian Ackley/WBAN Senior Editor
(MAY 2, 2020) Blame Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood for denying women's boxing
fans the most intriguing matchup in the history of the sport. That,
actually, and a balky Achilles tendon. It's not like Christy Martin and
Lucia Rijker didn't know or talk, a lot about each other. The flame was hotly
burning for a possible women's mega-fight between the two less than a year after
Martin's headline-grabbing win over Deirdre Gogarty in 1996. "When I walk
away, I don't want people to say 'Christy was good, but she didn't fight so and
so.' If Rijker is a fight the public's interested in seeing, I'm sure it will
happen," said Martin, barely a year after appearing on the cover of Sports
Illustrated. I spoke to Don (King) about it. He promised me it would be
made. Bob Arum and Don King are both interested in making money."
Full Story on WBAN
Prominent Pioneer Female Boxer Receives Honorary May 2020
Fighter of the Month! -by Sue TL Fox
(APR 29, 2020) WBAN is excited to announce that the month of May of 2020, we
are giving an honorary Fighter of the month to prominent Pioneer Female Boxing
champion Barbara Buttrick, 90 years old for her life long achievements in the
sport, in and out of the ring. The countless pioneer boxers who helped
pave the way for many, many years, who did not have the opportunities that
today's boxers in the sport. It is with great pleasure to honor Buttrick for
your years of service in the sport, not only what she did in that squared
circle, but what she accomplished outside of the ring. In the year 2020,
has been a great year for Buttrick, who has received top honors with being one
of the first women to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in
2020.
Full Story on WBAN
Special Final Tribute to 21-year old Cristian Oviedo who
committed Suicide
by Sue TL Fox
(APR 27, 2020) It is with deep sadness to learn about male boxer Cristian "‘El
Botija" Oviedo who at the age of 21 years old committed suicide on April 23,
2020. Oviedo was born on June 12, 1998, in San Basilio, Córdoba, Argentina.
Oviedo was a well-respected amateur boxer who was a heavyweight amateur youth
champion, who was ranked #4 in the Amateur ranks since July 1, 2019, according
to the Amateur Boxing Commission of the Argentine Federation. Oviedo
turned pro on August 16, 2019, when he fought in a four-round bout winning by a
unanimous decision. He was 1-0-0 (1KO).
Full Story on WBAN
New Professional Boxer on the Scene: Meet Vivian "El Problema"
Velazquez-Maldonado!
by Sue TL Fox
(APR 23, 2020) 5' 4" Vivian "El Problema" Velazquez-Maldonado born on September
22, 1994 in Cidra, Puerto Rico, has fought as an amateur and then turned pro in
2019. She has accumulated 40 fights as an amateur before turning pro. She
first began boxing at the age of 17 years old, and at that time joined a gym in
Cidra, Puerto Rico, under the tutelage of Team sniper, who helped build the
foundation of her boxing skills by successfully leading her career as an amateur
boxer, therefore, she won multiple tournaments and medals representing her
beautiful island, Puerto Rico.
Full Story on WBAN
The night "big sweating tomatoes" changed women’s boxing
forever -By Brian Ackley – WBAN Senior Editor
(APR 23, 2020) It wasn't immediately clear after Christy Martin defeated
Deirdre Gogarty in their historic March 16, 1996 bout what a game changer their
fight really was. But it didn't take that long, either, before the boxing
world came to realize something special happened that night at the MGM Grand
Hotel in Las Vegas. The Don King promoted pay-per-view event drew more
than one million viewers, and those who put down their money saw a lot of
unmemorable boxing, topped off by Mike Tyson's three-round embarrassing hug fest
with Frank Bruno. But the fight boxing fans and more importantly the media
clearly remembered – the fight that was the birth of the modern era of ...
Full Story on WBAN
Heroes for humanity Awards - By WBC Press Release
(APR 29, 2020) Today, our finest fights are happening outside the ring. The
exceptional, steadfast courage and determination shown by many, has created some
of the most admirable, upstanding and outstanding champions of our epoch. The
WBC wishes to celebrate and acclaim these fantastic heroes: Doctors, nurses and
all those involved in medical services, First responders, police and fire
departments and from the boxing community: fighters, trainers, promoters, media
and fans who have unflinchingly stepped between the ropes, literally risking
their lives to help and protect those, in their hour of greatest need.
Whether they’ve conducted an online class...
Full
Story on WBAN
New Professional Boxer on the Scene: Meet Vivian "El Problema"
Velazquez-Maldonado!
by Sue TL Fox
(APR 23, 2020) 5' 4" Vivian "El Problema" Velazquez-Maldonado born on September
22, 1994 in Cidra, Puerto Rico, has fought as an amateur and then turned pro in
2019. She has accumulated 40 fights as an amateur before turning pro. She
first began boxing at the age of 17 years old, and at that time joined a gym in
Cidra, Puerto Rico, under the tutelage of Team sniper, who helped build the
foundation of her boxing skills by successfully leading her career as an amateur
boxer, therefore, she won multiple tournaments and medals representing her
beautiful island, Puerto Rico.
Full Story on WBAN
New Professional Boxer on the Scene: Meet Vivian "El Problema"
Velazquez-Maldonado!
by Sue TL Fox
(APR 23, 2020) 5' 4" Vivian "El Problema" Velazquez-Maldonado born on September
22, 1994 in Cidra, Puerto Rico, has fought as an amateur and then turned pro in
2019. She has accumulated 40 fights as an amateur before turning pro. She
first began boxing at the age of 17 years old, and at that time joined a gym in
Cidra, Puerto Rico, under the tutelage of Team sniper, who helped build the
foundation of her boxing skills by successfully leading her career as an amateur
boxer, therefore, she won multiple tournaments and medals representing her
beautiful island, Puerto Rico.
Full Story on WBAN
New Professional Boxer on the Scene: Meet Vivian "El Problema"
Velazquez-Maldonado!
by Sue TL Fox
(APR 23, 2020) 5' 4" Vivian "El Problema" Velazquez-Maldonado born on September
22, 1994 in Cidra, Puerto Rico, has fought as an amateur and then turned pro in
2019. She has accumulated 40 fights as an amateur before turning pro. She
first began boxing at the age of 17 years old, and at that time joined a gym in
Cidra, Puerto Rico, under the tutelage of Team sniper, who helped build the
foundation of her boxing skills by successfully leading her career as an amateur
boxer, therefore, she won multiple tournaments and medals representing her
beautiful island, Puerto Rico.
Full Story on WBAN
New Professional Boxer on the Scene: Meet Vivian "El Problema"
Velazquez-Maldonado!
by Sue TL Fox
(APR 23, 2020) 5' 4" Vivian "El Problema" Velazquez-Maldonado born on September
22, 1994 in Cidra, Puerto Rico, has fought as an amateur and then turned pro in
2019. She has accumulated 40 fights as an amateur before turning pro. She
first began boxing at the age of 17 years old, and at that time joined a gym in
Cidra, Puerto Rico, under the tutelage of Team sniper, who helped build the
foundation of her boxing skills by successfully leading her career as an amateur
boxer, therefore, she won multiple tournaments and medals representing her
beautiful island, Puerto Rico.
Full Story on WBAN
New Professional Boxer on the Scene: Meet Vivian "El Problema"
Velazquez-Maldonado!
by Sue TL Fox
(APR 23, 2020) 5' 4" Vivian "El Problema" Velazquez-Maldonado born on September
22, 1994 in Cidra, Puerto Rico, has fought as an amateur and then turned pro in
2019. She has accumulated 40 fights as an amateur before turning pro. She
first began boxing at the age of 17 years old, and at that time joined a gym in
Cidra, Puerto Rico, under the tutelage of Team sniper, who helped build the
foundation of her boxing skills by successfully leading her career as an amateur
boxer, therefore, she won multiple tournaments and medals representing her
beautiful island, Puerto Rico.
Full Story on WBAN
