KAREN
BENNETT lived and trained in Las Vegas, Nevada. She had many
fights as a Bantamweight, and was the Women's World Boxing Champion WWBA in the
80's.
BENNETT was very popular in Las
Vegas, and she was actually neighbors with boxer, Lavonne Ludian.
BENNETT could draw many boxing fans when she was featured on
cards.
One of her most surprising accomplishments came when she fought Bonnie Prestwood in 1979, the tough
little bantamweight who had KO'd Ernestine Jones. The fight was
the main event at the Incline Village in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The
promoter was infamous, Bill Dickson, the "Father of Women's Boxing"
in the 70's. Prestwood was to go eight rounds with Prestwood, and they
had even argued with the boxing commission to be allowed to fight those extra
rounds. But.... the fight never lasted eight rounds and Prestwood KO'd
Prestwood in the first round.
When WBAN interviewed Bill
Dickson, he could not say enough about Karen Bennett. He felt that Bennett
contributed so much to women's boxing in the 70's and 80's.
BENNETT was known for her slim build but
lightning speed. She had great footwork
and body movements that were so fast that fighters had a hard time hitting her.
She
did meet her match though when she fought Graciela Casillas.
and Shirley "Zebra Girl" Tucker.
BENNETT at one time
was offered
tennis scholarships for her great abilities in that sport, but her love of sports was
boxing.
