Ann Wolfe

Ann Wolfe (born January 17, 1971) is an American former boxer who held world titles in three different weight classes simultaneously. Wolfe is regarded by many within the sport as the greatest fighter in the history of women's boxing.[1] She's also a personal trainer and coach of several professional boxers, including former light middleweight contender James Kirkland.[2] She appears in the 2017 film Wonder Woman in the supporting role of the Amazon Artemis.

For those of a similar name, see Ann Wolf (disambiguation).
Statistics
Real nameAnn Wolfe
Nickname(s)Brown Sugar
Weight(s)Light Heavyweight
Super Middleweight
Middleweight
Light Middleweight
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Reach71 in (181 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born (1971-01-17) January 17, 1971
Austin, Texas
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights26
Wins24
Wins by KO16
Losses1
Draws0
No contests1

Personal life

Wolfe was born in Austin, Texas and moved Oberlin, Louisiana where she spent most of her childhood while spending a short time in Los Angeles. She moved from Oberlin to Austin Texas in 1996 with her two daughters. 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. Wolfe has mentored many children through her gyms, now lives in Austin and is a business-owner.[4]

Amateur career

Ann 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]

She 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,[11] she emulated Henry Armstrong's record of three world titles at the same time in different weight classes, 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. Ward was taken to the hospital in serious condition due to damage to her neck and head, but she recuperated. This bout was nationally televised from Biloxi, Mississippi and 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] Since then, she has indicated that she is finished with her own boxing, preferring to work as a trainer.[19][20]

In 2015, Wolfe was inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The IWBHF was created and founded by Sue TL Fox.[21]

Training career

Wolfe has trained many amateur and professional boxers, including her oldest daughter Jennifer Fenn and light middleweight contender James Kirkland.[22]

Film career

Wolfe was cast by Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins in the supporting role of the Amazon warrior Artemis.[23]

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
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 2006-06-04 FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee
25 Win 23–1 (1) Cassandra Giger KO 2 (4), 0:53 2006-04-29 Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, Louisiana
24 Win 22–1 (1) Valerie Mahfood UD 10 2005-08-20 Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi Retained WIBA Light Heavyweight title and IBA Female Light Heavyweight title.
23 Win 21–1 (1) Mónica Núñez TKO 7 (8), 3:00 2005-07-19 Isle of Capri Hotel & Casino, Lula, Mississippi
22 Win 20–1 (1) Marsha Valley TKO 6 (10, 1:17) 2005-06-18 FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee Retained IBA Female Light Heavyweight title.
21 Win 19–1 (1) Genevia Buckhalter TKO 1 (6), 1:09 2005-03-05 Isle of Capri Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi
20 Win 18–1 (1) Cassandra Giger UD 6 2004-11-05 Fitzgerald's Casino & Hotel, Tunica, Mississippi
19 Win 17–1 (1) Vonda Ward KO 1 (10), 1:08 2004-05-08 Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi Won WIBA Light Heavyweight title and vacant IBA Female Light Heavyweight title
18 Win 16–1 (1) Deborah Fettkether UD 8 2003-10-11 Grand Casino Coushatta, Kinder, Louisiana
17 Win 15–1 (1) Valerie Mahfood UD 10 2003-08-23 Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi Won vacant WBA Super Middleweight title and NABA Super Middleweight title.
16 Win 14–1 (1) Marsha Valley TKO 10 (10), 0:48 2002-12-21 Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida Won vacant WIBC Super Middleweight title.
15 Win 13–1 (1) Genevia Buckhalter TKO 2 (4), 0:39 2002-09-25 Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas
14 Win 12–1 (1) Marsha Valley TKO 6 (10), 1:06 2002-06-21 Convention Center, Waco, Texas Won vacant IFBA Super Middleweight title.
13 Win 11–1 (1) Shirvelle Williams TKO 1 (4), 1:40 2002-04-25 Civic Center, Laredo, Texas
12 Win 10–1 (1) Gina Nicholas TKO 3 (10), 0:47 2001-11-16 Convention Center, Austin, Texas Won WIBA Light Middleweight title
Retained IFBA Jr. Middleweight title.
11 Win 9–1 (1) Diane Clarke RTD 4 (6), 3:00 2001-07-14 Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
10 Win 8–1 (1) Vienna Williams UD 10 2001-05-15 Convention Center, Honolulu, Hawaii Won vacant IFBA Jr. Middleweight title.
9 Win 7–1 (1) Patricia Linton TKO 1 (6), 0:36 2001-04-19 Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas
8 Win 6–1 (1) Kelly Whaley TKO 5 (6), 1:19 2001-02-02 Hilton Hotel, Reno, Nevada
7 Loss 5–1 (1) Valerie Mahfood TKO 3 (6), 1:17 2000-11-30 Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas
6 NC 5–0 (1) Christine Robinson NC 1 (6) 2000-05-24 Kenner, Louisiana No Contest due to Robinson cut caused by accidental head-butt.
5 Win 5–0 Gina Nicholas KO 2 (6), 0:17 2000-04-26 New Orleans, Louisiana
4 Win 4–0 Mary Ann Almager TKO 1 (6), 0:41 2000-02-11 Kenner, Louisiana
3 Win 3–0 Demetra Jones TKO 1 (4) 2000-01-20 Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas
2 Win 2–0 Dakota Stone UD 4 1999-10-09 Mercer Arena, Seattle, Washington
1 Win 1–0 Brenda Drexel SD 4 1998-10-17 Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort, Canyonville, Oregon Professional debut.

See also

References
  1. "Women's Boxing: Ann Wolfe Biography". Wban.org. Archived from the original on 2015-05-07. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  2. Esco, Wil (Dec 21, 2016). "Ann Wolfe Talks About Training James Kirkland". Bad Left Hook.
  3. Ecksel, Robert (Dec 20, 2011). "The Girl Who Cried Wolfe". Boxing.com.
  4. Golianopoulos, Thomas (June 6, 2017). "The Wonder of Ann Wolfe". The Ringer. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  5. "Wolfe's for real in ring and has compassion outside it - boxing - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2006-08-01. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  6. "Guess Who is not afraid of Ann Wolf? Interview with Laila Ali". Doghouseboxing.com. 2004-11-15. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  7. "Is Laila Ali Running Scared From Ann Wolfe? You Decide!". Eastsideboxing.com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  8. "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.
  9. Christ, Scott. "James Kirkland Reunites With Ann Wolfe, Fight with Mayorga Being Discussed". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  10. Archived April 6, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  11. 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.
  12. "Ann Wolfe vs. Vonda Ward - Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  13. "Anne Wolfe Interview: "Ali's legacy didn't live on through his daughter!"". Eastsideboxing.com. 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  14. VinRoKK (2011-06-23). "Ann Wolf: Inventor of Torture Devices and Spirited Boxing Trainer". Fightjerk.Com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  15. "Brian Vera, James Kirkland highlight boxing card for Oscar De La Hoya's fight night at Frisco's Dr Pepper Ballpark - ESPN Dallas". Sports.espn.go.com. 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  16. "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.
  17. "The Boxing Tribune's Fights of the Week | thebtbc.com". Theboxingtribune.com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  18. "Kirkland plans comeback fight, future without Austin's Wolfe". Statesman.com. Archived from the original on 2011-04-02. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  19. "Benefit for Ann's Wolfe Pack - Sports". The Austin Chronicle. 2011-01-07. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  20. "Ann Wolfe Discusses James Kirkland's Knockout Loss - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  21. "About the IWBHF". Wban.net. 2014-07-10. Retrieved 2016-09-25.
  22. Gerald Rice. "Exclusive Boxing Interview : James Kirkland and Anne Wolf". Saddo Boxing. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  23. 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.
Preceded by
Inagrual Champion		 WIBA Light Middleweight Champion
16 November 2001–1 March 2002
Vacated		 Succeeded by
Mary Jo Sanders
Preceded by
Trina Ortegon		 IFBA Middleweight Champion
21 February 2002–21 December 2002
Vacated		 Succeeded by
Vacated
Preceded by
Jacqui Frazier-Lyde		 WIBA Light Heavyweight Champion
8 May 2004–29 May 2004
Vacated		 Succeeded by
Gwendolyn O'Neil
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