Maureen Shea

Last updated
Maureen Shea
Maureen Shea.jpg
Maureen Shea, 2014
Statistics
Real nameMaureen Anne Shea Carranza
Nickname(s)The Real Million Dollar Baby
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
Reach64 in (163 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born (1981-01-11) January 11, 1981 (age 41)
The Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights33
Wins29
Wins by KO13
Losses2
Draws1
No contests1

Maureen Anne Shea Carranza (born January 11, 1981) is an American professional boxer. [1] She held the WBC interim female featherweight title in 2011 and the IFBA super bantamweight title from 2014 to 2015, and challenged once for the WBA female super featherweight title in 2009. [2] She is known as the "Real Million Dollar Baby" because of her work as the main sparring partner for Hilary Swank in her preparation for the 2004 movie, Million Dollar Baby . [3]

Contents

Early life

Maureen was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. Born in 1981, she was raised by a strict Irish father, a now retired NYPD detective. [4] Maureen's mother, of Mexican heritage, worked in the airline industry, allowing Maureen to frequently travel. Moe spent much of her youth growing up in the Bronx and in the Guadalajara, Mexico. In the amateurs, Maureen was known and respected for her boxing. First training out of NYBG with Luigi Olcese, she was eventually brought to Gleasons to train with well respected trainer Hector Roca. It was a gradual process in Shea's growth and preparation for the game of professional boxing. [5]

In 2004, when Hilary Swank came looking for Hector Roca to help her get ready for the movie Million Dollar Baby , Roca paired Swank with Maureen Shea. Maureen was Hilary's main sparring partner in preparation for Swank's award-winning role in the movie. When the international media found out that Swank attended all of Maureen's amateur bouts, Maureen was thrust into the spotlight. It was Maureen's boxing, however, that captured the attention. [6]

Her nicknames include "The Bronx Bombshell", "The Real Million Dollar Baby", and "Moe".

Professional career

Maureen Shea of the Bronx, New York, is the former IFBA Jr Featherweight World Champion, former NABF Festherweight Champion, former NABA Featherweight Champion and former Interim WBC Featherweight Champion. Shea is one of the top professional female boxers in the world. [7]

WBA Super Featherweight Championship

In February 2009, Maureen lost her first world title attempt to Kina Malpartida. This bout was held at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. [8]

Interim WBC Featherweight Championship

On December 12, 2011 Shea beat Colombian Diana Ayala to win the Interim WBC Featherweight Champion. [9] This bout was held at the Estadio Centenario in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. [10]

NABA Featherweight Champion

On March 15, 2014 Shea beat Nohime Dennison of Albuquerque New Mexico as the Main Event on Top Players Promotions Ice Vs Fire 2 in Oxnard California to win the vacant NABA featherweight title

IFBA Jr Featherweight World Title

On July 11, 2014 Shea tko'd Angel Gladney of South Carolina to win the IFBA Jr Featherweight World Title. Fighting for the second time as the Main Event on Top Players Promotions Ice vs Fire 3, this was a historical fight being the FIRST ever World Title Fight in Ventura County.

Maureen defended her IFBA world title as the co-feature to the Shane Mosely Vs Ricardo Mayorga main event on August 29, 2015 on Pay-Per-View versus Yulihan Luna of Mexico. This bout resulted in a draw and was the first time a female fight was featured on Pay-Per-View in over a decade.

Maureen has fought as a professional at Madison Square Garden three times, under such distinguished promoters such as Top Rank, Star Boxing, and was the first female to fight on Lou Dibella's Broadway Boxing series. Her fights have been televised on Pay Per View, Azteca Television, Telemundo, Madison Square Garden Network, and SNY. [11]

She has a record of 29-2 (13KO).

Personal life

She has overcome many obstacles, including being the victim of abuse, to achieve her current success. Of Irish and Mexican descent, Maureen has a large fan base of both ethnicities and is a crowd favorite. She currently lives in Oxnard, California and trains at The Boxing Laboratory, home of Vasyl Lomenchenko. [12]

Maureen is a vegetarian. [13]

Million Dollar Baby

Highly recognized for her work as Hilary Swank's main sparring partner for her award-winning role in "Million Dollar Baby", Maureen has utilized her ring success and become successful in mainstream media. [14]

In 2008, Maureen was nominated by MTV as one of their "2008 Toughest Coaches", for her role in their hour long season opening episode of "Made". In that show, Maureen guided a young lady who had no boxing experience; and in six weeks, prepared her for her first competitive amateur bout with a decision win. Later that year she was also nominated by PETA for their Sexiest Vegetarian award. [15]

Maureen has successfully translated her ring experience to ringside, having worked as a boxing analyst alongside highly respected commentators Al Bernstein, and Rich Marotta, on Top Rank "Latin Fury" PPV. She has also guest commentated on the MSG Network during the 2006 NY Golden Gloves, and currently hosts her own live TV show, "Shea's Corner" on Bronx Net Television. Shea has done work as President of Pandora Promotions, Motivational/Inspirational speaker, journalist,TV/radio personality, and Boxing Commentator. [16]

Team Shea

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julio César Chávez</span> Mexican boxer

Julio César Chávez González, also known as Julio César Chávez Sr., is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 2005. A multiple-time world champion in three weight divisions, Chávez was listed by The Ring magazine as the world's best boxer, pound for pound, from 1990 to 1993. During his career he held the WBC super featherweight title from 1984 to 1987, the WBA and WBC lightweight titles between 1987 and 1989, the WBC light welterweight title twice between 1989 and 1996, and the IBF light welterweight title from 1990 to 1991. He also held the Ring magazine and lineal lightweight titles from 1988 to 1989, and the lineal light welterweight title twice between 1990 and 1996. Chávez was named Fighter of the Year for 1987 and 1990 by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring respectively.

Bonnie Canino is a retired American boxer and kickboxer, and former world featherweight champion for two different associations. She also won world titles in kick boxing for two different associations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mia St. John</span> American boxer

Mia Rosales St. John is an American professional boxer and former World Boxing Council (WBC) champion in the super welterweight division. She is also the IBA and IFBA lightweight champion. She is also a model, businesswoman, and taekwondo champion.

Jorge Adolfo Páez is a Mexican actor, circus performer and former professional boxer. In boxing he held the WBO and IBF featherweight titles. Paez's nickname of "El Maromero" is in honor of the somersault acts he performs at the circus. It was in the circus that he learned acrobatic moves he would later use in the boxing ring. Páez is also the father of Azriel Páez, Jorge Páez Jr., and Airam Páez.

Tracy Michelle Byrd is an American female boxer.

Jackie Chavez is an American former professional boxer in the Super Bantamweight division. She was the IFBA world Super Bantamweight champion, and considered by many to be one of women's boxing's future stars. As far as it is known, she has no relation with Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez.

Joel Casamayor Johnson is a Cuban American former professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2011. He held world championships in two weight classes, including the WBA super featherweight title from 2000 to 2002; and the WBC, Ring magazine and lineal lightweight titles between 2006 and 2008. As an amateur, Casamayor won a gold medal in the bantamweight division at the 1992 Olympics, after which he defected to the United States on the eve of the 1996 Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Mayweather</span> American boxer (1960 – 2020)

Roger Mayweather was an American boxing trainer and former professional boxer who competed from 1981 to 1999. He was a two-division world champion, having held the WBA and The Ring super featherweight titles from 1983 to 1984, and the WBC light welterweight title from 1987 to 1989. Additionally he held the IBO light welterweight title in 1994, and the IBO welterweight title from 1994 to 1995.

Rafael Márquez Méndez is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2013. He is a two-time world champion in two weight classes, having held the IBF bantamweight title from 2003 to 2007; and the WBC, Ring magazine, and lineal super bantamweight titles in 2007. He also held the IBO bantamweight title from 2005 to 2007, and challenged once for WBO featherweight title in 2011. Marquez will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2023.

Steve Cruz is a retired American professional boxer who became the WBA World Featherweight Champion on June 23, 1986. His trainer for much of his career was Don Gorman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Garcia (American boxer)</span> American boxer and boxing trainer

Roberto Garcia Cortez is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2001, and held the IBF junior lightweight title from 1998 to 1999. He has since worked as a boxing trainer, and was voted Trainer of the Year by The Ring magazine in 2011, and by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 2012. He is the older brother of professional boxer Mikey Garcia, who is a world champion in four weight classes.

Gamaliel Díaz Magaña is a Mexican professional boxer who held the WBC super featherweight title from 2012 to 2013.

Juan Carlos "Ranchero" Ramírez is a Mexican professional boxer. He is the former NABF featherweight and WBO Inter-Continental featherweight champion.

Eduardo García is a Mexican boxing trainer and former amateur boxing champion. Originally from Urequio, Michoacán, he trained generations of boxers at La Colonia Youth Boxing Club in Oxnard, California. Garcia learned to box from a priest in Mexico and fought in amateur shows to raise money for the local church. After immigrating to Southern California, Garcia would hang around local gyms when he could find time and get to know the fighters. He has trained Fernando Vargas as well as his sons, former IBF Super Featherweight Champion Robert and Mikey, the current WBO, and Ring Magazine Featherweight Champion. During his amateur career, Garcia had a record of 48–2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Beltrán</span> Mexican boxer

Raymundo Beltrán is a Mexican professional boxer. He held the WBO lightweight title in 2018. At regional level, he held the WBC–NABF lightweight title from 2016 to 2018.

Miguel Ángel Berchelt Cervera is a Mexican professional boxer who held the WBC super featherweight title from 2017 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Diaz</span> American boxer

Joseph "JoJo" Pedroza Diaz Jr. is an American professional boxer who held the WBC interim lightweight title from July 2021 to December 2021. He also held the IBF super featherweight title from 2020 to February 2021 and challenged once for the WBC featherweight title in 2018. At regional level, he held the WBC-NABF, and WBO-NABO featherweight titles between 2015 and 2018. As an amateur he competed at the 2012 Olympics as a bantamweight.

Joey Olivo is an American former professional boxer of Mexican descent who competed from 1976 to 1989. He held the WBA world light flyweight title in 1985 and challenged for the WBC world light flyweight title in 1981. At regional level he held the WBC-NABF light flyweight title in 1983; the IBF-USBA flyweight title in 1984; and the WBC-NABF flyweight title in 1988.

Yulihan Alejandra Luna Ávila is a Mexican professional boxer. She is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBC female bantamweight title since 2020 and the IBF female junior featherweight title from 2014 to 2016.

Nora Leticia Cardoza Vazquez is a Mexican professional boxer. She has challenged for world titles on three occasions; the WBC female atomweight title in 2013; WBA female atomweight title in 2019; and the WBA (Regular) female light flyweight title in December 2020. At regional level she held the NABF female atomweight title in 2014.

References

  1. ↑ SAMUELS, TANYANIKA. "Boxer Maureen Shea, who trained Hillary Swank for 'Million Dollar Baby,' tapped for reality TV show". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  2. ↑ "BoxRec: Maureen Shea". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  3. ↑ Little, Dave (2009-02-20). "Ziegel: Tyson brings out fight in her". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
  4. ↑ "VDC: Maureen Shea sobre el estado del boxeo femenino - ESPN Deportes Video - ESPN Deportes". Archived from the original on 2011-03-01. Retrieved 2012-01-22.
  5. ↑ Marra, Jim (April 13, 2006). "Entrevista exclusiva del boxeo: Maureen Shea". Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Maureen Shea Carranza Confía En Conquistasr El Cinto Pluma Del Cmb Ante Diana Ayala". BoxNoticias. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
  7. ↑ "Boxing – Gutierrez Retains & Shea Gains Gold this Past Weekend in Mexico | Wombat Sports". Wombatsports.wordpress.com. 2011-12-12. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
  8. ↑ "Kina Malpartida Stops Maureen Shea in TKO Upset - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
  9. ↑ "Reflecting into 2012 WBC featherweight world champion Maureen Shea". December 31, 2011. Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  10. ↑ Archived March 16, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ "Boxer Maureen Shea, who trained Hillary Swank for 'Million Dollar Bab…". Archived from the original on 12 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Maureen Shea". 8 Count News. Archived from the original on October 19, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Maureen Shea: Vegetarian Testimonial". PETA. Retrieved 6 Feb. 2019.
  14. ↑ "SULJOSBLOG // El blog de boxeo mas importante del mundo » NABF's Maureen Shea to Host TV Show in Mexico". suljosblog.com. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  15. ↑ "PETA.org // Veggie Testimonials // Maureen Shea // Print Ad". Veggietestimonial.peta.org. Retrieved 2015-08-17. See also "Maureen Shea's Interview With PETA". Peta.org. 22 January 2011. Retrieved 2017-12-28.
  16. ↑ "Maureen Shea is People's Choice Winner at Oxnard Salsa Festival". Moorpark, CA Patch. 2018-08-21. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.