Boxing is a fierce sport that doesn’t allow anyone to be
gentle and kind – not even women. Female fights are quite
popular these days. You can even see it at online casinos
because they feature lots of games with female boxing themes
When you think about it for a moment, you realize it’s a
natural combination. After all, gambling and boxing are equally
exciting because things can change in a blink of an eye.
Speaking of casino entertainment, this post will cover the
most memorable women’s boxing matches that took place in
gambling venues. Let’s dive in!
Our Top 5 Fights
Many matches take place in a casino nowadays, but only a
handful stay in our collective memory for good. We are talking
about these fights:
1. Laila Ali vs. Christy Martin:
Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Laila Ali, daughter of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, fought
Christy Martin on August 23, 2003. The event took place at the
Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
About the venue
The Mississippi Coast Coliseum is a large multi-purpose
arena in Biloxi. With a seating capacity of over 11
thousand, the venue can hosts many events (concerts, art
exhibitions, sporting events, and trade shows).
Technically, this isn’t a casino per se, but it’s
located near multiple casinos in Biloxi.
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This fight was a major event and was broadcast on
Pay-Per-View. Ali won the fight by TKO in the fourth round.
2. Claressa Shields vs. Christina Hammer: The Boardwalk Hall
On April 13, 2019, at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City,
Claressa Shields fought Christina Hammer in a highly anticipated
fight. Shields won the fight by unanimous decision, becoming the
undisputed women's middleweight champion.
About the venue
Boardwalk Hall is an iconic venue located in
Atlantic City, New Jersey. This place is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1929, it
has a seating capacity of over 14 thousand. Thanks to
its impressive architecture and rich history, Boardwalk
Hall remains a popular destination for visitors to
Atlantic City.
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Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, dominated the fight
with her aggressive style and won by unanimous decision.
3.
Holly Holm vs. Anne Sophie Mathis: Route 66 Casino
On December 2, 2011, at the Route 66 Casino in Albuquerque,
Holly Holm fought Anne Sophie Mathis. Holm, a former
professional kickboxer, was knocked out in the seventh round.
About the venue
The Route 66 Casino in
Albuquerque, New Mexico is a popular entertainment
destination. It features a range of gaming options, but
you’ll find many other things there. The venue also
hosts concerts and other live events. |
Holm, who had been unbeaten for eight years, was considered
the favorite, but Mathis was a formidable opponent with an
impressive record of knockouts. In a stunning upset, Mathis
knocked out Holm in the seventh round, handing her the first
defeat of her professional boxing career.
4. Cecilia Braekhus vs. Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes: StubHub Center
On December 8, 2018, at the StubHub Center in Carson,
California, Cecilia Braekhus, widely regarded as the best female
boxer in the world at the time, fought Aleksandra Magdziak
Lopes. Braekhus won the fight by unanimous decision, retaining
her welterweight title.
About the venue
The StubHub Center (now
called Dignity Health Sports Park) is a sports complex
in Carson. It is home to several professional sports
teams, including the LA Galaxy soccer team and the LA
Chargers football team. It’s also not a casino, but it’s
very close to gambling hubs like the Hustler Casino in
nearby Gardena.
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The fight between Braekhus and Magdziak Lopes was the first
women's boxing match that went live on HBO. Braekhus -
undefeated at the time - faced a tough challenge from Lopes, but
ultimately proved her dominance with her superior skills and
technique.
5.
Christy Martin vs. Deirdre Gogarty: MGM Grand
Christy Martin faced Deirdre Gogarty all the way back in March
1996. This event took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and
it is considered to be one of the greatest women's boxing
matches of all time. Martin won the fight by unanimous decision
in an action-packed fight.
About the venue
The MGM Grand is a luxurious hotel and casino
located on the iconic Las Vegas Strip. It features over
6,800 rooms, multiple restaurants, a massive gaming
floor, and several entertainment venues, making it one
of the largest and most popular resorts in Las Vegas.
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That day, Martin and Gogarty raised the profile of women's
boxing and paved the way for greater recognition of female
fighters in the sport.
The Bottom Line
These fights showcased the incredible skill of female fighters
and also provided an unforgettable experience for fans. With the
growing interest in the sport, we can anticipate even more
historic matches that will take place in popular casinos. The
bottom line is that women's boxing matches are something to look
out for in the future.