Ann Wolfe

Ann Wolfe (born January 17, 1971) is an American retired boxer, trainer and actress. Wolfe held world titles in three different weight classes simultaneously 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]

For those of a similar name, see Ann Wolf (disambiguation).
Ann Wolfe
Statistics
Nickname(s)Brown Sugar
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Reach71 in (180 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born (1971-01-17) January 17, 1971
Austin, Texas, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights26
Wins24
Wins by KO16
Losses1
No contests1

Personal life

Wolfe was born in Austin, Texas and moved to Oberlin, Louisiana where she spent most of her childhood. She moved back to Austin in 1996 with her two daughters. 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, 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
Professional record summary
26 fights 24 wins 1 loss
By knockout 16 1
By decision 8 0
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
26 Win 24–1 (1) Lisa Ested UD 6 Jun 4, 2006 FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
25 Win 23–1 (1) Cassandra Giger KO 2 (4), 0:53 Apr 29, 2006 Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, Louisiana, U.S.
24 Win 22–1 (1) Valerie Mahfood UD 10 Aug 20, 2005 Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. Retained WIBA and IBA female light heavyweight titles
23 Win 21–1 (1) Mónica Núñez TKO 7 (8), 3:00 Jul 19, 2005 Isle of Capri Hotel & Casino, Lula, Mississippi, U.S.
22 Win 20–1 (1) Marsha Valley TKO 6 (10), 1:17 Jun 18, 2005 FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. Retained IBA female light heavyweight title
21 Win 19–1 (1) Genevia Buckhalter TKO 1 (6), 1:09 Mar 5, 2005 Isle of Capri Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
20 Win 18–1 (1) Cassandra Giger UD 6 Nov 5, 2004 Fitzgerald's Casino & Hotel, Tunica, Mississippi, U.S.
19 Win 17–1 (1) Vonda Ward KO 1 (10), 1:08 May 8, 2004 Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. Won WIBA and vacant IBA female light heavyweight titles
18 Win 16–1 (1) Deborah Fettkether UD 8 Oct 11, 2003 Grand Casino Coushatta, Kinder, Louisiana, U.S.
17 Win 15–1 (1) Valerie Mahfood UD 10 Aug 23, 2003 Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. Won vacant WBA-NABA super middleweight title
16 Win 14–1 (1) Marsha Valley TKO 10 (10), 0:48 Dec 21, 2002 Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. Won vacant WIBC super middleweight title
15 Win 13–1 (1) Genevia Buckhalter TKO 2 (4), 0:39 Sep 25, 2002 Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S.
14 Win 12–1 (1) Marsha Valley TKO 6 (10), 1:06 Jun 21, 2002 Convention Center, Waco, Texas, U.S. Won vacant IFBA super middleweight title
13 Win 11–1 (1) Shirvelle Williams TKO 1 (4), 1:40 Apr 25, 2002 Civic Center, Laredo, Texas, U.S.
12 Win 10–1 (1) Gina Nicholas TKO 3 (10), 0:47 Nov 16, 2001 Convention Center, Austin, Texas, U.S. Retained IFBA light middleweight title;
Won WIBA light middleweight title
11 Win 9–1 (1) Diane Clarke RTD 4 (6), 2:00 Jul 14, 2001 Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
10 Win 8–1 (1) Vienna Williams UD 10 May 15, 2001 Convention Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. Won vacant IFBA light middleweight title
9 Win 7–1 (1) Patricia Linton TKO 1 (6), 0:36 Apr 19, 2001 Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S.
8 Win 6–1 (1) Kelly Whaley TKO 5 (6), 1:19 Feb 2, 2001 Hilton Hotel, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
7 Loss 5–1 (1) Valerie Mahfood TKO 3 (6), 1:17 Nov 30, 2000 Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S.
6 NC 5–0 (1) Christine Robinson NC 1 (6) May 24, 2000 Kenner, Louisiana, U.S. Fight stopped after Robinson was cut from an accidental head clash
5 Win 5–0 Gina Nicholas KO 2 (6), 0:17 Apr 26, 2000 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Mary Ann Almager TKO 1 (6), 0:41 Feb 11, 2000 Kenner, Louisiana, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Demetra Jones TKO 1 (4) Jan 20, 2000 Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Dakota Stone UD 4 Oct 9, 1999 Mercer Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Brenda Drexel SD 4 Oct 17, 1998 Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort, Canyonville, Oregon, U.S.

See also

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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  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. "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. 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. 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  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.
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