First Mixed match between a Professional male
and
female boxer in the State of Washington
This was the first exhibition mixed match
between professional boxers, Margaret
MacGregor, from Bremerton, Washington, and Loi
Chow, from British Columbia, Canada that took place in the State of
Washington.
The mixed match caught International
attention and controversy that received high-profile coverage. The way
this fight was put together started over two years ago after the main
event that was featured on this bout, Martin O'Malley
had had a couple of pro fights, and his
manager, Bob Jarvis, and longtime Seattle boxing promoter Jim Rupp, were
thinking of ways to get O'Malley similar attention to that of some of
his amateur foes who started their pro careers earlier.
Several of the fighters against whom
O'Malley competed for amateur honors-among them Floyd Mayweather, Augie
Sanchez, and Radford Beasley, to name just a few- had gone on to the pros
and quickly made names for themselves.
O'Malley was just as good, if not better,
than those fighters, Jarvis and Rupp thought: what can be done to help
O'Malley catch up with the pack?
So on one occasion Rupp contacted Jarvis
and told him that he had an idea on how to get Martin International
attention. He suggested that they get O'Malley a fight with Christy
Martin. She was known, a top fighter and had many fights to her name. O'Malley had only two pro
fights under his belt and was fighting four-rounders. They felt that
how could anybody think it was a mismatch with O'Malley in favor.
There was no doubt in Jarvis' or Rupp's
mind, of course, that it would be an easy O'Malley win. But,
moreover, the first male vs female bout in history would attract more
attention for O'Malley than any other young fighter in the world. Jarvis loved the idea, but felt that Martin "O'Malley" would not
go for it. He even felt slightly embarrassed suggesting that he fight a
woman.
And, even though that ended serious
consideration of trying to put something like that together involving
O'Malley, Jarvis nonetheless sent a telegram to promoter Don King, who
controlled Christy Martin at the time, challenging her to a bout with
O'Malley. They felt that if Don King responded to their telegram that the
publicity would be worth something for O'Malley.
Don King never responded, but the idea was
born from that day forward. Today, reports indicate
that both King and rival promoter Bob Arum are interested in arranging
their own male vs. female bouts. (Lucia Rijker
Rolling Stone Magazine)
As time went by, O'Malley piled up
win after win.His first two main events were fought at Edmonds
Community College, promoted by O'Malley's brother, Tom O'Malley, assisted
by Jarvis and Rupp.
Jarvis and Rupp continued to bat the idea
of male vs. female around, off and on, since the idea was first hatched
two years ago.
Then, about in September of 1999, Jarvis called
Rupp and said, "I think I've got a man boxer and a woman boxer who
are more than willing to fight each other. What do you think?"
The answer was obvious: "let's
do it!", Rupp said. Approval from the Department of Licensing
was the only thing that really stood in the way of the bout; to the
department's immense credit, they never hesitated.
And so, Margaret MacGregor of Bremerton,
Washington was signed to meet Hector Morales of Vancouver, B.C. Except
just a few days after a heavily-attended
press conference announcing the fight, Morales had second thoughts, citing
"personal reasons." Jarvis didn't blame him, and
ultimately Loi Chow, Morales' trainer stepped in to be his
So, Morales' trainer, Loi Chow, offered to
step in as a replacement. Chow had pro boxing experience and was also
Morales' trainer.
The fight ultimately took place as the last fight on the card, October 9,
1999, and another History First was born.
Documented by Newspaper articles;
Video'd the fight; Photographs
October 9, 1999
Fighters - Margaret MacGregor-Female
Loi Chow- Male
