Erin Toughill

Last updated
Erin Toughill
Born (1977-06-13) June 13, 1977 (age 46)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Other namesSteel
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight160 lb (73 kg)
Reach72 in (180 cm)
Style Boxing
Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
TeamElite Training Center, CSW, HB Ultimate, Xtreme Couture
Professional boxing record
Total14
Wins7
By knockout0
Losses6
Draws1
Mixed martial arts record
Total14
Wins10
By knockout4
By submission1
By decision5
Losses3
By submission1
By decision1
By disqualification1
Draws1
Other information
Websitewww.erintoughill.com
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Erin Young Toughill (born June 13, 1977) is an American former professional boxer, mixed martial artist, and bare-knuckle boxer who also appeared as a Gladiator on the American Gladiators series.

Contents

She began kickboxing at the age of 18 and started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu soon after.

Under the watch of her LA Boxing trainer Sean McCully, Toughill debuted in mixed martial arts on September 27, 1999, and fought to a draw with Irma Verhoeff at World Vale Tudo Championship 9 in Aruba.

Less than a year later, she made her professional boxing debut on July 20, 2000.

Along with her MMA career, Toughill holds a professional boxing record of 7 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw and 1 no contest.

She counts IBF Super Middleweight contender Librado Andrade, a long-time sparring partner, among her close friends.

Boxing career

Toughill has only one loss before losing her battle against Laila Ali. Her final boxing match was against Laura Ramsey, whom she defeated previously. Toughill's father died three days before her rematch to Laura Ramsey. Toughill lost the fight by TKO in the first round and retired soon after with a record of 7–3–1, 1 NC.

Toughill returned to boxing on January 27, 2019, against Maricela Cornejo losing a unanimous division. Toughill fought again on May 18, 2019, losing via TKO to Raquel Miller.

Mixed martial arts career

After going 1–1–1 in her first three bouts, Toughill won five straight fights before losing due to illegal hits to the spine [1] [2] in the finals of the 2004 Smackgirl World ReMix Tournament to Megumi Yabushita. She competed once more and scored a TKO victory over Jen Case in 2006.

In 2007, Toughill retired from both boxing and MMA. [3] Toughill came out of retirement from MMA and fought Jan Finney on November 20, 2008, at Palace Fighting Championships 11. Despite cutting over 20 pounds (9.1 kg) to make the contracted weight limit, Toughill was victorious and later went on to defeat Karen Williams and Emily Thompson in subsequent events for PFC after a fight with Adrienna Jenkins was cancelled due to injury. [4]

Strikeforce

Toughill was set to make her Strikeforce debut on November 7, 2009, at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers in a rematch with Marloes Coenen, whom Toughill defeated in 2004. [5] [6] However, she later withdrew from the fight due to an undisclosed medical condition. [7] [8]

On March 18, 2010, Toughill announced that she was planning to leave Strikeforce. She had been scheduled to compete on the undercard of Strikeforce: Nashville on April 17. [9] However, in a second posting on April 9, 2010, Toughill attributed the disagreements with Strikeforce to misunderstandings and stated that she would be staying with the promotion. [10]

Toughill was scheduled to face Shana Olsen at Strikeforce: Houston on August 21, 2010, but the fight was cancelled due to concerns over Toughill's ability to make weight. [11] According to Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, Toughill's next fight will not take place in Strikeforce, but she remains a part of the promotion's roster. [12]

Toughill was offered to face Cristiane Santos for a bout in 2010, but the fight never came into fruition. [13]

Post-Strikeforce

Toughill was scheduled to compete outside of Strikeforce against China's Bao Yu Dan at Martial Combat 9 on September 15, 2010, in Singapore. [14] However, on September 13, Toughill withdrew from the fight after citing a broken clavicle. [15]

Toughill returned to active competition after nearly two years at Freestyle Cage Fighting 46 on April 9, 2011. The fight was against Ashley Sanchez at a 160 lb (73 kg) catchweight (per Toughill's request). Toughill lost the fight via unanimous decision. [16]

Toughill agreed to face Anna Barone at BlackEye Promotions 5 on October 1, 2011, in Fletcher, North Carolina, [17] but withdrew from the fight after suffering a rib injury in training. [18]

American Gladiators

Toughill became a cast member of NBC's primetime series, American Gladiators , where she became known as Steel. One of the commentators on American Gladiators, Laila Ali, knocked her out.

Bare-knuckle boxing career

BYB Extreme

Toughill made her bare knuckle boxing debut with BYB Extreme Bare Knuckle Fighting Series, losing a 5-round split decision to Jozette Cotton at BYB 6 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood on July 16, 2021. [19]

On March 12, 2022, she defeated Sonya Dreiling via unanimous decision at BYB 9, improving her bare knuckle record to 1-1. [20]

Personal life

Erin married Neil Melanson, a grappling coach and lead Jiu-Jitsu instructor at Xtreme Couture, in a private ceremony on November 20, 2009. Melanson also serves as the primary grappling coach for UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, and has cornered Couture during several recent MMA fights. [21] [22] The couple is currently going through a divorce. [23]

Toughill's younger sister, Megan, was killed in a car accident on September 19, 2004, which was about three weeks before her title fight with Yvonne Reis. [24]

Media

Toughill was featured on MSNBC's Warrior Nation as she prepared for a fight. [25]

In 2022, Toughill launched Talk Tough with Erin Toughill, an interview-style podcast focused on bare knuckle boxing. [26]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
14 matches10 wins3 losses
By knockout40
By submission11
By decision51
By disqualification01
Draws1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss10-3-1Ashley SanchezDecision (unanimous)Freestyle Cage Fighting 46April 9, 201135:00 Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States
Win10-2-1Emily ThompsonDecision (unanimous) PFC 13: Validation May 8, 200933:00 Lemoore, California, United States
Win9-2-1Karen WilliamsTKO (punches) PFC: Best of Both Worlds February 6, 200912:06 Lemoore, California, United States
Win8-2-1 Jan Finney Decision (unanimous) PFC 11: All In November 20, 200833:00 Lemoore, California, United States
Win7-2-1Jen CaseTKO (punches)VF - Showdown at Cache Creek IISeptember 15, 200622:22 Brooks, California, United States
Loss6-2-1 Megumi Yabushita DQ (elbows) Smackgirl - World ReMix 2004December 19, 200412:39 Shizuoka, Japan Open Weight Queen tournament finals.
Win6-1-1 Marloes Coenen KO (punch)Smackgirl - World ReMix 2004December 19, 200415:00 Shizuoka, Japan Open Weight Queen tournament semi-finals.
Win5-1-1Miwako IshiharaTKO (corner stoppage)Smackgirl - World ReMix 2004December 19, 200410:27 Shizuoka, Japan Open Weight Queen tournament first round.
Win4-1-1Miwako IshiharaDecision (unanimous)Smackgirl - DynamicSeptember 1, 200235:00 Shizuoka, Japan
Win3-1-1 Kaoru Ito Decision (unanimous)W - FusionJuly 27, 200135:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win2-1-1 Megumi Yabushita Technical Submission (armbar)ReMix - Golden Gate 2001May 3, 200123:08 Japan
Loss1-1-1 Svetlana Goundarenko Submission (scarf-hold armlock)ReMix - World Cup 2000December 5, 200012:47 Japan Open Weight tournament semi-finals.
Win1-0-1 Irina Rodina Decision (split)ReMix - World Cup 2000December 5, 200025:00 Japan Open Weight tournament quarter-finals.
Draw0-0-1Irma VerhoeffDrawWorld Vale Tudo Championship 9September 27, 1999115:00 Aruba

Professional boxing record

13 fights7 wins4 losses
By knockout02
By decision72
Draws1
No contests1
No.ResultRecordOpponentMethodRound, timeDateLocationNotes
13Loss7–4-1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Maricela Cornejo UD8Jan 27, 2019 Flag of the United States.svg Aalon Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
12Loss7–3-1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Laura RamseyTKO1 (6), 1:28Aug 31, 2006 Flag of the United States.svg Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.Fight stopped after Toughill fell through ropes
11Win7–2-1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Laura RamseyUD6Jan 27, 2006 Flag of the United States.svg The Palladium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
10Loss6–2-1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Laila Ali TKO3 (10), 1:54Jun 11, 2005 Flag of the United States.svg MCI Center, Washington, DC, U.S
9Win6–1-1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Yvonne ReisUD10Oct 22, 2004 Flag of the United States.svg Municipal Auditorium, Sarasota, Florida, U.S.
8Win5–1-1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Cassandra GigerUD8Jul 31, 2004 Flag of the United States.svg Sam's Town Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S
7Win4–1-1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Kuulei KupiheaUD4Nov 14, 2003 Flag of the United States.svg Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, U.S.
6Win3–1-1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Nicole ConantUD4Jul 24, 2003 Flag of the United States.svg Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Oxnard, California, U.S.
5NC2–1-1 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Jackie Frazier-Lyde NC3 (8)Jun 4, 2002 Flag of the United States.svg The Temple Corps, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.For WIBF Inter-Continental super middleweight title;
Fight stopped after Toughill cut from accidental head clash
4Draw2–1-1 Flag of the United States.svg Dakota StonePTS4Dec 12, 2001 Flag of the United States.svg Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, U.S.
3Win2–1 Flag of the United States.svg Veronica SanchezMD4Oct 7, 2000 Flag of the United States.svg Centennial Garden Arena, Bakersfield, California, U.S.
2Win1–1 Flag of the United States.svg Correena GrizoffiUD4Aug 26, 2000 Flag of the United States.svg Selland Arena, Fresno, California, U.S.
1Loss0–1 Flag of Germany.svg Elizabeth RumpfUD4Jul 20, 2000 Flag of the United States.svg Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California, U.S.

Bare knuckle boxing record

2 fights1 win1 loss
By knockout00
By decision11
No.ResultRecordOpponentMethodRound, timeDateLocationNotes
2Win1-1 Flag of the United States.svg Sonya DreilingUD5March 12, 2022 Flag of the United States.svg Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
1Loss0-1 Flag of the United States.svg Jozette CottonUD5Jul 16, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.

Accomplishments

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References

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