Mary Jo Sanders

Mary Jo Sanders
Born	(1974-01-13) January 13, 1974 (age 51) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Statistics
Weight(s)	Light welterweight Welterweight Light middleweight Middleweight
Height	5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	27
Wins	25
Wins by KO	8
Losses	1
Draws	1

Mary Jo Sanders (born January 13, 1974) is an American retired professional boxer. She is the daughter of NFL Hall of Famer, Charlie Sanders. ^[1]

Professional career

In March 2007, Sanders defended her IBA middleweight title against Valerie Mahfood, this would end up being the last women's world title fight on English-language television in the U.S for 10 years. ^[2] In a highly anticipated bout in 2008 with Holly Holm, a fight in which Sanders was favored to win, Holm won via decision. The two had a rematch four months later and fought to a draw. ^[3] She was inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame in 2018. ^[4]

Professional boxing record

27 fights	25 wins	1 loss
By knockout	8	0
By decision	17	1
Draws	1

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
27	Draw	25–1–1	Holly Holm	MD	10	Oct 17, 2008	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.	For vacant IBA female super welterweight title
26	Loss	25–1	Holly Holm	UD	10	Jun 13, 2008	Isleta Casino & Resort, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.	For vacant IBA female super welterweight title
25	Win	25–0	Veronica Rucker	TKO	4 (8)	Nov 29, 2007	Andiamo Italia, Warren, Michigan, U.S.
24	Win	24–0	Valerie Mahfood	UD	10	Mar 30, 2007	Cobo Hall, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Retained IBA female middleweight title
23	Win	23–0	Gina Nicholas	RTD	2 (10)	Jan 12, 2007	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.	Won IBA female middleweight title
22	Win	22–0	Cimberly Harris	UD	4	Nov 24, 2006	Little River Casino and Resort, Manistee, Michigan, U.S.
21	Win	21–0	Tricia Turton	UD	10	Jun 3, 2006	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.	Won vacant WIBA super welterweight title
20	Win	20–0	Iva Weston	TKO	3 (10)	Feb 3, 2006	Conference Center, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Won vacant WBC female & WIBA welterweight titles
19	Win	19–0	Lisa Holewyne	UD	10	Dec 17, 2005	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
18	Win	18–0	Yvonne Reis	UD	6	Oct 19, 2005	Andiamo's, Warren, Michigan, U.S.
17	Win	17–0	Eliza Olson	UD	10	Jul 30, 2005	Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Won WBC World female super lightweight title
16	Win	16–0	Belinda Laracuente	UD	10	May 14, 2005	Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, Louisiana, U.S.
15	Win	15–0	Lois Theobald	TKO	1 (8)	Apr 29, 2005	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
14	Win	14–0	Melissa Del Valle	UD	6	Mar 16, 2005	Andiamo Italian, Warren, Michigan, U.S.
13	Win	13–0	Rita Turrisi	UD	8	Oct 27, 2004	Andiamo's Banquet Center, Warren, Michigan, U.S.
12	Win	12–0	Carla Witherspoon	TKO	3 (6)	Sep 16, 2004	Kewadin Casino, Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, U.S.
11	Win	11–0	Lisa Holewyne	TKO	9 (10)	Aug 19, 2004	Aldrich Arena, Maplewood, Minnesota, U.S.
10	Win	10–0	Terri Blair	UD	4	Jul 16, 2004	Memorial Civic Center, Canton, Ohio, U.S.
9	Win	9–0	Chevelle Hallback	PTS	10	May 20, 2004	Kewadin Casino, Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, U.S.
8	Win	8–0	Layla McCarter	UD	6	Apr 16, 2004	Gund Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
7	Win	7–0	Jamie Whitcomb	TKO	1 (4)	Jan 30, 2004	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
6	Win	6–0	Terri Blair	UD	4	Jul 31, 2003	Kewadin Casino, Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, U.S.
5	Win	5–0	Cynthia Prouder	UD	4	Jul 15, 2003	Playboy Mansion, Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
4	Win	4–0	Shadina Pennybaker	MD	4	Jul 1, 2003	Cafaro Field, Niles, Ohio, U.S.
3	Win	3–0	Shadina Pennybaker	UD	4	Jun 5, 2003	State Theater, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
2	Win	2–0	Terri Blair	UD	4	May 23, 2003	Grays Armory, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
1	Win	1–0	Willicia Moorehead	TKO	1 (4)	Feb 7, 2003	The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.

See also

• List of female boxers

References

1. "Shields learns from Sanders' stellar career". New Haven Register. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
2. "Amanda Serrano's win marks return of nationally televised women's boxing". ESPN. 15 January 2017. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
3. "Sanders, Holm fight to a draw". The Oakland Press. 18 October 2008. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
4. "IWBHF Announces 2018 Inductees". iwbhf.com. Retrieved 2 January 2025.

External links

• Boxing record for Mary Jo Sanders from BoxRec (registration required)
• Biography from the International Boxing Hall of Fame

Sporting positions
Major world boxing titles
Inaugural champion	WBC female super lightweight champion July 30, 2005 – 2006 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Anne Sophie Mathis
	WBC female welterweight champion February 3, 2006 – 2007 Vacated	Vacant Title next held by Holly Holm