Date Posted: 15:47:00 02/23/05 Wed
Author: Dee Williams
Subject: Ann Wolfe to fight man in Mississippi?
Cross-gender fight in the works
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/boxing/2005/feb/23/518338177.html
By Dan Kulin
LAS VEGAS SUN
What is being billed as perhaps the first "real" boxing match between a man and woman in the United States was given the green light on Tuesday by the Mississippi Athletic Commission, said Las Vegas-based political consultant and boxing promoter Tony Dane, who is arranging the fight.
The professional fight would feature Ann Wolfe, a top female boxer who has won seven titles and boxed in four weight classes, against a yet to be determined man. The match will probably be held over the Fourth of July weekend, Dane said, adding that the exact date and arena still need to be decided.
"She's a top-ranked fighter if not the best in the world," Mississippi Athletic Commission Chairman Jon Lewis said. "I approved it because she's someone we feel safe with doing this. She probably could win. I've seen her fight. She's tough."
Lewis said he and another commissioner approved the fight on Tuesday. The three-member commission will also have to OK the date, location and Wolfe's opponent, which Dane and Lewis said were mere formalities following the approval on Tuesday.
"He's on the go to have a bout," Lewis said.
Wolfe said she needs the competition and the paycheck that would come with such a fight.
"I'm not doing this for a clown show or for a publicity stunt," Wolfe said. "I have to do what I have to do to feed my kids and I'm at the top of the females' game so what's on top of that?"
Dane said Wolfe will probably make more than $100,000 from the fight, which he expects will air on pay-per view.
Dane said he's now in the process of finding a man to fight Wolfe.
"I want it to be a competitive fight. If it goes to the scorecard I want people to argue over who won it," Dane said.
Dane is perhaps best known around Las Vegas for his recent work as the political consultant who helped former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Janet Moncrief win her first election in 2003.
Dane eventually testified before a grand jury looking into questionable campaign activity, and Moncrief was ultimately charged criminally for allegedly filing false campaign finance reports. Moncrief has since been ousted by a recall election and agreed to pay $5,000 to settle the case.
Dane said he has been promoting boxing matches in the Ukraine since 2002, and the Wolfe vs. man fight would be his first match in the United States.
"The part that's exciting for me is it's going to make history. It's something that's going to be remembered for years like when Billy Jean King beat Bobby Riggs," Dane said. "This is something that's going to be remembered for years. I don't know who the second woman to play a man in tennis was but I know the first."
Dane said he contacted Wolfe about four months ago hoping to promote one of her fights, and found that other women wouldn't fight her anymore.
Dane, Lewis and Wolfe said they think Wolfe's will be the first professional fight between a man and a woman, at least in North America.
"I think a lady fought a man before but it was a clown show," Wolfe said.
Dane said some people may criticize a man vs. woman match, "but to the naysayers I say they need to see Ann fight."
Wolfe, who trains in Austin, Texas, where she also lives with her two daughters, said she doesn't think gender should prevent her from making a living in boxing.
"I'm trying to feed my kids," said Wolfe, who was once homeless.
"Besides, I beat the hell out of guys everyday," Wolfe said, referring to her training sessions. "I hit hard, like a dude."
Wolfe has 18 wins, 12 by knockout, and one loss in her six-year professional boxing career. Wolfe has fought and won titles at 154, 160, 168, and 175 pounds.
She now weighs about 170 pounds, and said she would like to weigh 160 pounds "to be at the top of my game" for her next fight.
"I don't think I can fight the top of the top males, but an average good fighter, yes," Wolfe said. "I want somebody to bring out the best in my ability. To show the skills I have. I want the world to see what I can do."