LAS VEGAS, NV
— The International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame (IWBHF) is thrilled to announce
an unprecedented gathering of more legendary history-making women boxers and
more to its induction event on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Orleans
Hotel & Casino. Officially designated by the City of Las Vegas as "Women’s
Boxing Day," this landmark celebration will feature an array of past,
present, and future legends, headlined by keynote speaker and 2015 IWBHF
Inductee Laila Ali.
Olympic Icons and
Trailblazing Builders Join the Elite Lineup
Adding to an
already stacked roster of attendees, the IWBHF is proud to
highlight four extraordinary legends who shaped the
landscape of modern amateur and professional women's boxing:
·
Marlen Esparza:
A true trailblazer who made history by capturing a Bronze Medal
at the 2012 London Olympics—the first year women's boxing was
introduced to the Olympic Games—before transitioning to a
phenomenal professional career as one of the sport's top elite
fighters and former multi-world champion.
Queen Underwood: A powerhouse of the amateur era and a fierce competitor who
represented the United States on the global stage as a 2012 U.S.
Olympian.
|
Queen Underwood Defeating Mikaela Mayer
|
·
Alex Love:
An exceptional elite-level athlete whose high-caliber skills and
competitive drive helped elevate the profile of USA Boxing
during a pivotal era of growth. Retired undefeated professional
boxer. She also went on to be a police officer and then went
full time with her boxing gym as a coach and more!
|
Alex Love photo by Sue TL Fox |
·
Dr. Christy Halbert:
A foundational figure inducted into the IWBHF in 2014, Dr.
Halbert spent years working tirelessly behind the scenes to
successfully advocate for the inclusion of women's boxing in the
Olympic Games.
A Celebration of
History-First Pioneers
The 2026 event will also honor a legendary contingent of
pioneers who broke structural barriers when opportunities for
female fighters were virtually non-existent:
·
Pat Pineda:
The historic first female boxer to successfully secure an
official boxing license from the State of California in 1976.
·
Darlina Valdez:
A special award recipient and the only female boxer to shatter
endurance limits by fighting a grueling 15-round bout at 3
minutes per round, capturing a legendary unanimous decision.
·
Sue TL Fox:
The IWBHF/WBAN President, founder, and late-1970s pioneer who made
history in her professional debut by fighting 3-minute rounds,
and the first female to box professionally in the state of Utah
and Montana, who eventually rising to become the #1 ranked fighter
in the world in 1979.
·
Jamie Johnson:
A history-making pioneer from the United Kingdom who paved the
way across the Atlantic by competing on the UK’s first-ever
all-female boxing card.
30th Anniversary of
the Fight That Changed the Sport
The IWBHF will present a special anniversary award celebrating
Christy Martin and Deirdre Gogarty. It has been 30
years since their iconic March 16, 1996, pay-per-view undercard
bout forever altered public perception and validated women’s
boxing on a global scale.
A Full Weekend of
Festivities
The celebration kicks off early on Friday, October 9, 2026,
with a spectacular all-female amateur boxing showcase in Las
Vegas, featuring legendary champion Christy Martin as a Special
Guest. The momentum carries into Saturday's main induction
ceremony, where attendees will witness the official presentation
of the City of Las Vegas Proclamation Certificate honoring the
sport.
This is an absolute "do not miss" event for any sports
enthusiast. VIP Tables are completely SOLD OUT. General
admission tickets that includes Dinner, with open seating.
Secure your seats online by visiting the
official website at IWBHF.
The International Women's
Boxing Hall of Fame (IWBHF) Induction Ceremony/Dinner will be
held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the ORLEANS HOTEL &
CASINO, IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA in the Mardi-Gra Ballroom, where we
will honor our new inductees and present special awards to
deserving recipients, and More!
You can book your room
On Line or call into:
Phone: 800-675-3267 Group Code: BFHK26C
Cut-Off: September 7, 2026
Link to book hotel room, the
cost of room and Resort fee is included:
Go Here
For more information contact the IWBHF:
Email: wban100@aol.com
Email: iwbhf@aol.com
Website: https://iwbhf.com
