Women’s boxing has seen an extraordinary evolution—from near obscurity to sold-out arenas and prime-time recognition.
Today’s female boxing champions walk a path paved by pioneers.
In this article, we spotlight five of the best female boxers—past and present—who shaped women’s boxing into what it is today.
Why Honoring Women's Boxing History Matters More Than Ever
Women’s boxing history goes back to London in the early 1700s. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that exhibition matches were introduced in the U.S.
Even as women’s boxing slowly started to infiltrate the mainstream, it wasn’t until the 1970s that women began staging professional fights, bringing visibility and legitimacy to female inclusion in the sport.
The push for equality has been a hard-fought battle, coming full circle during the 2012 Olympics in London, in the place where it all began, when women’s boxing was finally added to the program.
Female boxing greats like Caroline Svendsen, Shirley Tucker, and Laila Ali have all secured their place in history by pushing the sport into the spotlight and elevating it to what it is today.
5 of the Greatest Female Boxing Legends
Who is the best female boxer? With so many amazing athletes who fit the bill with impressive accolades and a lasting impact on the sport, it’s tough to narrow down the greats, but here are five that immediately come to mind.
Lucia Rijker
Nicknamed The World’s Most Dangerous Woman, Rijker holds a professional boxing record of 17-0 with 14 KOs.
Though she’s been named one of the top women boxers in the world, she may be even more dangerous as a kickboxer. As a kickboxer, she held a 36-0 record with 25 KOs, winning four different world titles before retiring from the sport.
Claressa Shields
Shields is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. She’s also held all four major world titles in boxing in three different weight classes.
Throughout her career, she was a frequent fight headliner and brought mass exposure to the sport along with lucrative contracts and sponsorships until she retired from MMA in May 2025.
Katie Taylor
Olympic gold medalist and undisputed lightweight champion, Taylor played a significant role in making women’s boxing a mainstream sport in Europe.
From 2019-2024, she was the undisputed and undefeated lineal world lightweight champion and, as of 2023, was ranked as the world’s best active female lightweight, cementing her place among the greats.
Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves
Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves
Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves
Hayabusa T3 Boxing Gloves
Ann Wolfe
As one of the top female boxers of her time, Wolfe is known for having “the best knockout punch in women’s boxing history” against Vonda Ward, in a fight that was televised.
She held three world titles simultaneously in different weight classes and was inducted into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015.
Laila Ali
Carrying the torch as one of the female boxing legends, Ali made her mark on the boxing world as an undefeated two-division world champ.
Her star power and platform brought visibility and enthusiasm to the women’s side of boxing as she headlined several pay-per-view fights and continued to elevate the sport up until her retirement in 2007.
How Hayabusa Supports Female Boxing Champions
To be listed among the greatest female fighters, these boxers have carried a mix of grit, determination, and raw talent to win in the ring and change the game for good.
They’ve each expressed their leadership in the ring as well as leaving behind a legacy of advocating for women’s boxing and making a cultural impact, benefiting all who come after them.
Hayabusa reflects this tenacious spirit and thoughtful attention into each of its designs. Explore the best boxing gear for women designed to support your journey, wherever the fight may take you.
