Ava "The Lady of Boxing" Knight

Woman’s boxing has had its ups and downs, and names fly in and out of the news, but only a select few have been able to stay in the tabloids for their accomplishments. I would like to shed a light on a few women that have not had a lot of spotlight that I feel are some of the greatest role models and pioneers of boxing during the decade. The women whom have become great champions, and who are great examples for the rest of us to look up to who are trying to reach the same goal. The women that I have caught my eye as a fellow boxer, and the ones I admire because of their skill. These women are paving the road for the future to walk upon a smooth path. The struggles they face today have fueled them to become who they are and to fight as hard as they do.

Layla McCarter was born on April 19, 1979 in Alameda, California. Layla began martial arts training at age eight. In 1995 she began kickboxing and boxing at different clubs, but ending up at the Spokane Boxing Club. On September 23, 1998, she had her first fight in Worley, Idaho. Even though after her pro debut she suffered some losses, she still came out to win her first World Title her 16th fight against Tracy Bird. She continued to fight tough opponents and currently has held four world titles (IFBA, GBU, WIBF, WBA) throughout her career, and currently holding the GBU and WBA Llightweight World Titles. If you watch her fight, you would realize she is great and holds a lot of skill. She is a smart boxer, who likes to come forward and can fight well in both the inside and out. She has a very calm demeanor but with an aggressive style, and looks very comfortable in the ring. She is a great champion and has fought great fighters and is someone that keeps you focused on the screen because she is that good.

Belinda "Brown Sugar" Laracuente was born on January 29 1979 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In 1989 she moved to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. At age 12 she was motivated to try the sport herself by hanging around the Mayaguez gym where her brother trained and became two of the best amateur boxers in Puerto Rico. She moved from Puerto Rico to Miami, Florida, in May 1998 with just one goal ... a world title belt. Belinda is a stylish fighter, who has a nice slick style, and great counter punches built to her skills and a solid ring record with 57 fights. She has held the WIBF and GBU in the past in her career. She may not have the perfect record, fighting tough opponents early on, but her style and boxing skills make her a great champion and a great fighter to watch.

Melissa “Huracan” Hernandez from Puerto Rico, by way of the Bronx, NY and Miami, Florida was born on February 4 1980. She took up boxing to lose weight but by the age of 23, she decided to step it up and fight in the Golden Gloves. Melissa is a great slick boxer, training with Belinda during her early years of boxing, they have a similar style. She is very exciting to watch. She is slick, has great counter punching and knows when to turn it up in a fight. In her career she has held three titles (WIBA, GBU, WBC) and currently hold the WBC Featherweight title.

I decided to pick fighters that went through the stages of Women’s boxing within the past two decades. All three fighters have had the opportunity to be staged on television, but have seen the decline of women’s boxing demand through the last few years. All these fighters have seen the likes of one another in the ring, against and sometimes on the same side. I am fortunate to say there are so many more champions, but with one article, I could only write so much. I look up these three ladies and have found out what they are about. They are all great fighters and I would tip my hat to them anytime to show my respect. Fighters who all have thrown down in the ring, no matter what the cost and conditions, and have set the scale for skill and performance, CHAMPIONS…