(MAY 19) PORTLAND, OR — Long before women’s boxing achieved global main-event status, a fearless group of athletes in the 1970s and 1980s fought through immense social, legal, and institutional barriers to pave the way for the sport's future. Operating in an era where women were frequently denied official professional licenses, these trailblazers frequently relied on exhibition matches to showcase their skill, heart, and right to compete. Today, the Women Boxing Archive Network (WBAN) and the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame (IWBHF) honor the rich, often uncredited history of these foundational ring warriors.

The Ring Legacy of Sue TL Fox

Among the premier fighters of this golden era of pioneers was Sue TL Fox (originally known in the ring as "Tiger Lily"), a world-class welterweight who rose to become the #1 ranked fighter in the world in 1979. Before her storied post-boxing careers as an undercover drug detective and professional musician, Fox broke ground as the first licensed female boxer in the state of Washington (1976), Montana (1976), and Utah (1977).

Because sanctioned opportunities were sparse, Fox's career was defined by tough competitive bouts and high-profile exhibitions:

·         The 1976 "Exhibition" Mismatch: On February 12, 1976, a young Fox was misleadingly booked against Theresa “Red Star” Kibby. Despite Fox having minimal boxing training, she stayed on her feet through a brutal onslaught until the referee stepped in. Subsequent research by   WBAN confirmed the bout was unsanctioned by the state athletic commission, officially rendering it an exhibition.

·         The "Tomorrow Show" Exhibition: In July 1977, Fox and fellow pioneer Gwen Gemini took women's boxing to national television, performing a widely watched four-round sparring exhibition on NBC’s The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder.

·         The Lake Tahoe Battle: In February 1977, Fox shared the ring with Gwen Gemini in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Though local newspapers prematurely reported it as a scored bout, official verification later proved the Nevada Athletic Commission had no record of it, identifying it as a four-round public exhibition.

·         The Historic Draws: Fox fought to highly publicized, action-packed draws against top-tier opposition, including a "Fight of the Month" performance against Lavonne Ludian at the Sahara Tahoe, and a fiercely contested battle against Las Vegas native Darlene Arnold.

Icons of the Era: Trailblazers and Advocates

Fox was flanked by a generation of fiercely determined women who used exhibitions and legal challenges to force state athletic commissions to acknowledge them:

·         Marian "Lady Tyger" Trimiar: A fierce Bronx-born fighter, Trimiar fought in countless exhibition matches in the early 1970s before women's boxing was legalized. After winning a landmark legal battle to get licensed in New York, she captured the women's world lightweight championship in 1979 and famously staged a month-long hunger strike in 1987 to advocate for equal pay.

·         Cathy "Cat" Davis: One of the most visible media icons of the 1970s, Davis brought widespread mainstream attention to the sport, notably becoming the first female boxer to grace the cover of The Ring Magazine.

·         Jackie Tonawanda: Dubbed "The Original Challenger," Tonawanda was a regular fixture in high-profile events and a vocal advocate who challenged the New York State Athletic Commission for the right to box.

·         Shirley "Zebra Girl" Tucker: Regarded as one of the most technically gifted fighters of her era, Tucker took on the California Athletic Commission to push for longer rounds and broader competitive recognition.

·         Graciela Casillas & Sue "KO" Carlson: Driving legitimacy through pure athletic dominance, Casillas brought elite tactical skill to the ring, while Carlson defended her super-lightweight crown in 1981 in the sport’s very first scheduled 15-round female pro fight.

Preserving the History

The struggles of these women—who routinely braved public scrutiny, unfair purse structures, and administrative resistance—laid the bedrock for the multi-million dollar modern landscape of female combat sports. To ensure their efforts are never forgotten, Sue TL Fox established WBAN in 1998, which remains the global authority on historical female boxing records.