Ann Wolfe

Last updated
Ann Wolfe
Born (1971-01-17) January 17, 1971 (age 52)
Austin, Texas, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesBrown Sugar
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights26
Wins24
Wins by KO16
Losses1
No contests1

Ann Wolfe (born January 17, 1971) is an American retired professional boxer, trainer and actress. Wolfe held world titles in three different weight classes simultaneously[ citation needed ] and is regarded as one of the greatest female boxers of all time. [1] She is a member of the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame. [2]

Contents

Personal life

Wolfe was born in Oberlin, Louisiana and moved to Austin, Texas where she spent most of her childhood. She moved back to Austin in 1996 with her two daughters and one son. After being homeless and working construction, she met her original trainer 'Pops' Billingsley. [3] She fought her amateur fights under Billingsley's tutelage and started fighting as a professional for RPM Promotions. [4]

Amateur career

Wolfe had a record of 3-1 as an amateur boxer and fought at the 1998 U.S. National Championships. She won a decision over Tami Hendrickson of Seattle in the quarter-final by 50–39, then went on to stop Shanie Keelean of Chicago within 46 seconds of the first round. In the semifinal Wolfe lost to La'Kiea Coffen by a disqualification at 1:23 of the third round. [5]

Professional career

Wolfe made her professional debut by beating Brenda Lee Bell by a four-round decision. Her first and only career loss came four fights later, when she was knocked out in three rounds by veteran and future world champion Valerie Mahfood. [6]

Wolfe beat Vienna Williams by a ten-round decision to win her first world title, the IFBA Jr. Middleweight title. [7] She beat Gina Nicholas by knockout in three to win the vacant WIBA Light Middleweight title. She then proceeded to beat Shirvelle Williams by knockout in one round on a non-title bout. [8]

Next was the vacant IFBA world Super Middleweight title, which she picked up by knocking out Marsha Valley in six rounds. She and Valley fought again, this time with the vacant WIBC's version of the title, and Wolfe won by knockout in round ten. [9]

Wolfe avenged her defeat against Mahfood by taking the NABA World Super Middleweight Championship from her with a ten-round decision. [10]

Wolfe vs. Ward

On May 8, 2004, in Biloxi, Mississippi, [11] Wolfe matched Henry Armstrong's record of three world titles at the same time in different weight classes,[ citation needed ] by gaining the IBA world Light Heavyweight championship, knocking out undefeated champion and former NCAA basketball star Vonda Ward at one minute and eight seconds of Round One. [12] [13] Ward had a neck concussion because she hit the canvas with her neck when she fell. She was taken to the hospital in serious condition due to damage to her neck and head. The bout was nationally televised, with television commentators called it "the best knockout punch in a women’s boxing history". [14]

Later career

Wolfe retained her title in a rematch with Valley by a sixth-round knockout. [15]

On July 19, 2005, Wolfe defeated Monica Nunez by a seventh-round knockout in Lula, Mississippi. [16]

On August 20, 2005, she fought and defeated Valerie Mahfood for the second time, by a ten-round decision. [17]

Retirement

Wolfe last fought in 2006, knocking out Cassandra Giger and decisioning Lisa Ested. [18] She has since worked as a boxing trainer. [19] [20]

In 2015, Wolfe was inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame.

Training career

Wolfe has trained many amateur and professional boxers, including her oldest daughter, Jennifer Fenn, and light-middleweight James Kirkland. [21] [22]

Film career

Wolfe was cast by director Patty Jenkins in the role of Amazon warrior Artemis in the 2017 film Wonder Woman . [23]

Professional boxing record

26 fights24 wins1 loss
By knockout161
By decision80
No contests1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
26Win24–1 (1)Lisa EstedUD6Jun 4, 2006FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
25Win23–1 (1)Cassandra GigerKO2 (4), 0:53Apr 29, 2006 Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, Louisiana, U.S.
24Win22–1 (1) Valerie Mahfood UD10Aug 20, 2005Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.Retained WIBA and IBA female light heavyweight titles
23Win21–1 (1) Mónica Núñez TKO7 (8), 3:00Jul 19, 2005Isle of Capri Hotel & Casino, Lula, Mississippi, U.S.
22Win20–1 (1)Marsha ValleyTKO6 (10), 1:17Jun 18, 2005 FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.Retained IBA female light heavyweight title
21Win19–1 (1)Genevia BuckhalterTKO1 (6), 1:09Mar 5, 2005 Isle of Capri Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
20Win18–1 (1)Cassandra GigerUD6Nov 5, 2004Fitzgerald's Casino & Hotel, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
19Win17–1 (1) Vonda Ward KO1 (10), 1:08May 8, 2004Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.Won WIBA and vacant IBA female light heavyweight titles
18Win16–1 (1)Deborah FettketherUD8Oct 11, 2003Grand Casino Coushatta, Kinder, Louisiana, U.S.
17Win15–1 (1) Valerie Mahfood UD10Aug 23, 2003 Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.Won vacant WBA-NABA super middleweight title
16Win14–1 (1)Marsha ValleyTKO10 (10), 0:48Dec 21, 2002Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.Won vacant WIBC super middleweight title
15Win13–1 (1)Genevia BuckhalterTKO2 (4), 0:39Sep 25, 2002Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S.
14Win12–1 (1)Marsha ValleyTKO6 (10), 1:06Jun 21, 2002 Convention Center, Waco, Texas, U.S.Won vacant IFBA super middleweight title
13Win11–1 (1)Shirvelle WilliamsTKO1 (4), 1:40Apr 25, 2002 Civic Center, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
12Win10–1 (1)Gina NicholasTKO3 (10), 0:47Nov 16, 2001 Convention Center, Austin, Texas, U.S.Retained IFBA light middleweight title;
Won WIBA light middleweight title
11Win9–1 (1)Diane ClarkeRTD4 (6), 2:00Jul 14, 2001 Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
10Win8–1 (1)Vienna WilliamsUD10May 15, 2001 Convention Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.Won vacant IFBA light middleweight title
9Win7–1 (1)Patricia LintonTKO1 (6), 0:36Apr 19, 2001Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S.
8Win6–1 (1)Kelly WhaleyTKO5 (6), 1:19Feb 2, 2001 Hilton Hotel, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
7Loss5–1 (1) Valerie Mahfood TKO3 (6), 1:17Nov 30, 2000Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S.
6NC5–0 (1)Christine RobinsonNC1 (6)May 24, 2000Kenner, Louisiana, U.S.Fight stopped after Robinson was cut from an accidental head clash
5Win5–0Gina NicholasKO2 (6), 0:17Apr 26, 2000 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
4Win4–0 Mary Ann Almager TKO1 (6), 0:41Feb 11, 2000 Kenner, Louisiana, U.S.
3Win3–0Demetra JonesTKO1 (4)Jan 20, 2000 Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S.
2Win2–0Dakota StoneUD4Oct 9, 1999 Mercer Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
1Win1–0Brenda DrexelSD4Oct 17, 1998 Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort, Canyonville, Oregon, U.S.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Women's Boxing: Ann Wolfe Biography". Wban.org. Archived from the original on 2015-05-07. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  2. ↑ "Press Release: Ann Wolfe Enters the 2015 IWBHF". www.iwbhf.com.
  3. ↑ Ecksel, Robert (Dec 20, 2011). "The Girl Who Cried Wolfe". Boxing.com.
  4. ↑ Golianopoulos, Thomas (June 6, 2017). "The Wonder of Ann Wolfe". The Ringer . Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Wolfe's for real in ring and has compassion outside it - boxing - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. 2006-08-01. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  6. ↑ "Guess Who is not afraid of Ann Wolf? Interview with Laila Ali". Doghouseboxing.com. 2004-11-15. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  7. ↑ "Is Laila Ali Running Scared From Ann Wolfe? You Decide!". Eastsideboxing.com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  8. ↑ "Ann Wolfe revisited on Tonight's Real Sports". Boxingnews24.com. 2011-06-21. Archived from the original on 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  9. ↑ Christ, Scott (9 May 2011). "James Kirkland Reunites With Ann Wolfe, Fight with Mayorga Being Discussed". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  10. ↑ Archived April 6, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ Michael David Smith %BloggerTitle% (2007-05-28). "Women's Boxing: Ann Wolf Knocks Out Vonda Ward". Aolnews.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-07. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  12. ↑ "Ann Wolfe vs. Vonda Ward - Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  13. ↑ "Anne Wolfe Interview: "Ali's legacy didn't live on through his daughter!"". Eastsideboxing.com. 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  14. ↑ VinRoKK (2011-06-23). "Ann Wolf: Inventor of Torture Devices and Spirited Boxing Trainer". Fightjerk.Com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  15. ↑ "Brian Vera, James Kirkland highlight boxing card for Oscar De La Hoya's fight night at Frisco's Dr Pepper Ballpark - ESPN Dallas". Sports.espn.go.com. 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  16. ↑ "Friday's ESPN boxing event will put Austin in sport's center ring". Statesman.com. Archived from the original on 2011-09-04. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  17. ↑ "The Boxing Tribune's Fights of the Week | thebtbc.com". Theboxingtribune.com. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  18. ↑ "Kirkland plans comeback fight, future without Austin's Wolfe". Statesman.com. Archived from the original on 2011-04-02. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  19. ↑ "Benefit for Ann's Wolfe Pack - Sports". The Austin Chronicle. 2011-01-07. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  20. ↑ "Ann Wolfe Discusses James Kirkland's Knockout Loss - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  21. ↑ Gerald Rice. "Exclusive Boxing Interview : James Kirkland and Anne Wolf". Saddo Boxing. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  22. ↑ Esco, Wil (Dec 21, 2016). "Ann Wolfe Talks About Training James Kirkland". Bad Left Hook.
  23. ↑ Golianopoulos, Thomas (June 6, 2017). "The Wonder of Ann Wolfe". The Ringer . Retrieved June 12, 2017. I wanted the real deal...I wanted someone walking around that you look them in the eye and you knew you didn't want to mess with them.
Preceded by
Inaugural Champion
 WIBA Light Middleweight Champion
16 November 2001–1 March 2002
Vacated		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Trina Ortegon
 IFBA Middleweight Champion
21 February 2002–21 December 2002
Vacated		Succeeded by
Vacated
Preceded by WIBA Light Heavyweight Champion
8 May 2004–29 May 2004
Vacated		Succeeded by
Gwendolyn O'Neil
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