Women's Boxing: Act Two

By Bernie McCoy

13.11 - F Scott Fitzgerald wrote "There are no second acts in America" and most of us who have lived for more than a couple "score and seven" know from experience that second chances are few and far between.

A decade ago, Women's boxing was emerging from an troubled infancy during which it had been looked upon, variously, as a freak show or soft pornography or even proof positive that the apocalypse was indeed upon us. In the middle of the last decade of the twentieth century, athletes began to infuse the sport, athletes with varying degrees of boxing skills, but athletes, nonetheless. There was still a number of "bouts" that suggested a 2 AM parking lot brawl, but, gradually, the skilled female boxers outnumbered the "foxy" ones.

However, the progress in the late '90s slowed and then slowed some more, almost to a halt. The reasons are as various as the people who offer opinions on the subject. Top fighters were reluctant to fight each other. Female boxers were relegated to "emergency bout" status on many of the regular TV boxing shows (Fox, ESPN, Telemundo). There was no comprehensive, on-going, coverage of the sport by the major media outlets. Despite some excellent work on the internet by several sites covering the sport, Women's boxing was usually relegated to an "end of the column" mention by major newspaper boxing writers or items about the sport were prefaced by the phrase "and finally, in the world of boxing" on network TV broadcasts.

It was, however, generally agreed that Christy Martin, in the '90s, represented "the face" of Women's boxing. She appeared on many of the major PPV telecasts (albeit usually in the "kickoff bout" and too often, unfortunately, against an overmatched opponent). Martin was not only the best known female fighter, she possessed, by far, the greatest skill level. Lucia Rijker, a European kick boxer of some reknown, burst on the US boxing scene in the middle of the decade and proceeded to overwhelm opponents in a manner seen, to that point, only with Martin.

Women's boxing, seemingly, had arrived at a crossroads. The sport had emerged from its dismal roots and was on the verge of becoming a force in the country's ever-increasing sports entertainment lineup. A Martin/Rijker match had the potential to put Women's boxing on the front pages and in the lead position of newspapers and telecasts across the country. Needless to say, the bout never happened. Again, the reasons are varied. Over the years, accusations of blame have been too numerous to detail. The important fact is the bout and the accompanying publicity for the sport never occurred and the sport continued its meandering trek through the ever increasing sports clutter on the nation's media.

This is not to say the sport, itself, languished. Talented fighters, more than ever before, continued to appear on the scene. However, it seemed that these athletes, worthy of attention, failed to garner notice simply because Women's boxing had not catapulted through the clutter with an "everybody's talking about it", "appointment television" type event such as the Martin/Rijker bout would have provided. Martin continued to fight, mostly against overmatched opponents. Rijker went through a couple of self imposed hiatuses and gradually faded from the boxing scene. Other talented fighters have emerged, Sunya Anani prominent among them, but none have achieved the national publicity their talent warrants.

While Rijker has essentially disappeared from the sport, Martin remains although her career, a "gold standard" by the sport's standards, is winding down. However, the door to the sport's publicity breakthrough has suddenly been shoved open again. Lalia Ali, who arrived in a wave of "boxing daughters" has emerged, far and away, as the most talented of that group. She continued her unbeaten streak with a very skillful fight on ESPN on November 8, dismantling a previously regarded fighter named Valerie Mahfood. The fact that the bout degenerated into a mismatch only served to endorse Ali's skills.

Does Women's boxing deserve this second act, a second chance a establishing itself as a major sport? Of course it does and the actors capable of achieving that prominence are currently in the forefront of the sport, one, still on stage and the other, newly arrived. Martin, who is currently scheduled to participate in what can only be characterized as a farce on December 6 when she will dispose of Mia St John, continues to be a well know name. Ali, in addition to her famous lineage, has established herself as an equally well known female fighter, as the New York Times reportage of the Mahfood fight attested.

The two fighters are in different classes. Ali fights in the 165 lb range (super middleweight), Martin at around 145 (junior welteweight). Ali has said that she will not "come down" for any fight and given her body type, its probably a wise decision. Martin could conceivably carry 150 lbs without losing much mobility and the extra muscle could add to an already devastating punch. Thus, Martin and Ali not only represent the two best known female fighters in the world, they possess intriguingly contrasting styles; Martin, the ''bore in" puncher, Ali the "slick, sleek" boxer. That contrast has long made for classic bouts. Like the never realized Martin/Rijker bout, this is a natural matchup.

Many knowledgable fight fans feel the difference in size is significant. To this, I think the answer is that Martin has had over 40 fights and her skills in the ring will more than compensate for any height and weight disadvantage she will be facing against a fighter with 13 bouts, none against a fighter of Martin's skill and punching power. Additionally, Ali, for her size, has not displayed the knockout ability often associated with bigger fighters. Both are skilled fighters. Martin has an advantage in power, Ali in size and reach. It is a classic matchup; boxer/puncher, experience/youth.

Women's boxing has been afforded a second chance to break through to major sport status. Lets hope it happens, because while Fitzgerald could probably be convinced that there are indeed second chances in America, a third chance for Women's boxing will be a tough sell.

Bernie McCoy, White Plains NY