Greatest Female Boxers of All Time: Boxing’s Ultimate Women Warriors

Did you know that in Canada alone, female boxing licenses have increased by over 30% in the last 5 years, with dozens of homegrown fighters making it onto pro cards? That’s a big deal. Female boxers such as Jelena Mrdjenovich, who was a multiple-time world champion and one of the legendary female boxers in Canada, and Kim Clavel, a former WBC light-flyweight champion and a nurse, are making a splash. 

It is not the East or the West Coast alone; it is a national movement. We should therefore step into the ring and celebrate the best female boxers of all time, both world-renowned and locally based Canadian champions who show us how great things can be.

International Icons: Famous Female Fighters in History

These women aren’t just champions; they paved the way.

• Lucia Rijker: Euphemistically referred to as "the world's most dangerous woman", Rijker retired 17-0, 14 KOs and is one of only three women to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.

• Laila Ali: Daughter of Muhammad Ali, forged her own legend: 24-0, 21 KOs, championships in two divisions. In 2001, well ahead of the time when it became standard for women's boxing, she headlined a pay-per-view affair.

• Claressa Shields: She was awarded 2 Olympic gold medals in 2016 and 2012 and crowned "GWOAT (The Greatest Woman of All Time)", as she became the first boxer to ever possess all 4 major world titles in 2 divisions.

• Cecilia Brækhus: Nicknamed “The First Lady”, she held all four alphabet titles in welterweight and defended them for years, becoming a pound-for-pound queen.

• Katie Taylor: The Irish star whose gritty amateur run culminated in an Olympic gold in 2012 before she became undisputed lightweight champion as a pro. Her 2025 record of 23-1 shows she’s still on point.

• Amanda Serrano: The “Real Deal” has world titles in seven weight classes, a record no other female boxer has.

• Christy Martin: Known as "the Coal Miner's Daughter", the first woman to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and the one who popularized women's boxing during the 90s.

• Ann Wolfe: Nicknamed "Brown Sugar", Wolfe was a destructive puncher and owned titles in three weight classes at the same time. Many consider her the hardest-hitting woman in the sport’s history.

Canadian Female Boxers: Homegrown Champions

Here’s where Canadian pride shines through:

• Jelena Mrdjenovich: She was a featherweight to lightweight champion, holding titles from both the WBC and WIBA belts. She ruled from 2005 to 2021.

• Kim Clavel: A Montreal fighter and ex-WBC light-flyweight champion, she's a nurse by profession and received the Pat Tillman ESPY Award for her work during the COVID-19 period.

• Jeannine Garside: A southpaw from British Columbia, Jeannine became a two-weight world champion, unifying WBC and WBO titles in featherweight and was a key figure in elevating women’s boxing in Canada.

• Marie-Ève Dicaire: Karate champion turned world boxing champion, she was the winner of the IBF super-welterweight title twice between 2018-2022, and she was the champion who brought the honour of Quebec and Canada.

• Mary Spencer – Spencer started her amateur career as a powerhouse, winning three world championship golds and a Pan-Am Games title before becoming a WBA super-welterweight pro champion in September 2024.

Why It Matters: Beyond the Ring

These female boxers, global icons and Canadian heroes, have expanded what boxing means:

• They’ve busted stereotypes, showing power, skill and grit.

• They’ve increased visibility, such as Katie Taylor pushing the Olympics, Christy Martin breaking magazine barriers, and Canadian champions keeping the momentum going at home.

• They’ve fought for equity like Claressa Shields and others, demanding equal pay and respect.

• Their stories are as good as their stats, like a mix of community, resilience and triumph.

For anyone inspired by their journeys, it’s worth knowing what goes into preparing like a pro. If you’re curious about the gear every boxer needs, check out Sting’s guide: What Equipment Should Boxers Have?

Want to train like the greats? Start simple with Shadow Boxing 101: Strength & Speed Training Guide. And if you’re hitting the bag daily, don’t miss The Benefits of Bag Gloves to keep your hands and wrists safe.

Ending Note

The story of female boxers, from global legends to those right here in Canada, is about courage, skill and breaking barriers. They didn’t just win—they rewrote the rules. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious to learn, their journeys are as good as the fights they’ve won. And our Canadian fighters? They’re just getting started.

FAQs

1. Who is the best female boxer of all time?

It depends on the angle. Lucia Rijker for her perfect record and Hall of Fame status. Claressa Shields for her Olympic and pro dominance across divisions. Amanda Serrano for her titles in seven weight classes. All are good candidates.

2. Which female boxer has had the most impact in Canada?

Jelena Mrdjenovich and Kim Clavel are pioneers in titles and visibility. Mary Spencer’s amateur record and world championships, Jeannine Garside’s role in unifying titles and Marie-Ève Dicaire’s pro dominance show Canada’s rich history in female boxing.

3. How many female boxers are in Canada?

In recent years, licensed female boxers have grown by over 30% (estimated from national boxing organizations), with more pro fights being covered in the media and local champions signing international promotional deals like Amanda Galle’s with MVP in June 2025.