On Friday night [June 13, 2008] at the Isleta Casino & Resort, in Albuquerque, New Mexico,  on the televised PPV event “FINALLY”---WBAN “Finally” made its own history in the sport.  WBAN celebrates its 10-year anniversary of being live on the net as of June 2008---and WHAT better way to celebrate those 10 years then to honor the women boxers with a prestigious independent belt for being the best of the best in the sport. [Thumbnail photos by Sue TL Fox]]

Never before have women boxers received an independent World Title belt, for being the “Best of the Best”, and having an opportunity to fight for an elite independent belt.  Ring Magazine does it for male boxers-and it is time that WBAN does it for female boxers. 
                         Photo Credit:  Mary Ann Owen

This Friday night, WBAN awarded two women boxers in its "history first".  One WBAN belt was awarded to Holly Holm, after she defeated Mary Jo Sanders in a 10-round unanimous decision.  (WBAN belts are offered on a bout that ONLY has a sanctioning body governing the fight). WBAN  Belts Info

Photo Credit:  Mary Ann Owen

In a second bout, WBAN awarded the best of the best, between Chevelle Hallback vs. Jeannine Garside.  Hallback received the belt after winning a 10-round unanimous decision over Garside--leaving no doubt that this was the “Fight of the Night.” [Below photos by Mary Ann Owen]
 

WBAN is extremely proud to have Holm and Hallback receive the first WBAN belts.   Holm, Sanders, Hallback, and Garside were all rated #1 with the WBAN Ratings when these fights took place. 

The WBAN belts are individualized with engraving the names of the fighters, the date of the fight, venue, weight class, and the numeric order of when the belt was made.  Holm has received the third belt that was ever made, and Hallback received the fourth belt. WBAN has the # 1 & #2 belt in the archive for the history of the sport.

The top-rated women boxers can ONLY fight for the belt that is approved by WBAN’s independent board who by a majority rule, approves the fight. There can be no last minute replacement opponent.  If the belt had already been made, it will go back to the WBAN Archive for historical purposes.