Ann Wolfe facts for kids

Ann Wolfe, born on January 17, 1971, is an American who used to be a professional boxer. She is also a trainer and an actress. Ann Wolfe was amazing because she held world boxing titles in three different weight classes at the same time! Many people think she is one of the best female boxers ever. She is even a member of the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame.

Ann Wolfe's Early Life and Journey to Boxing

Ann Wolfe was born in Oberlin, Louisiana. She spent most of her childhood in Austin, Texas. In 1996, she moved back to Austin with her two daughters and one son.

Life was tough for a while. She was homeless and worked in construction. Then, she met her first boxing trainer, who was called 'Pops' Billingsley. He helped her learn how to box. She had a few amateur fights with his help. After that, she started her professional boxing career.

Ann Wolfe's Amateur Boxing Career

Before becoming a professional, Ann Wolfe had a short amateur boxing career. She had four fights, winning three and losing one.

In 1998, she competed in the U.S. National Championships. She won her first two fights. One win was against Tami Hendrickson. The other was a very quick win against Shanie Keelean. Ann stopped Shanie in less than a minute of the first round! In the next fight, she lost to La'Kiea Coffen.

Ann Wolfe's Professional Boxing Career

Ann Wolfe started her professional boxing journey by winning her first fight. She beat Brenda Lee Bell. Her only loss in her whole career happened four fights later. She was knocked out by Valerie Mahfood. Valerie later became a world champion.

Ann Wolfe then started winning many titles. She beat Vienna Williams to win her first world title, the IFBA Jr. Middleweight title. She also won the WIBA Light Middleweight title by knocking out Gina Nicholas. She even knocked out Shirvelle Williams in just one round!

She continued to win more titles. She knocked out Marsha Valley to win the IFBA world Super Middleweight title. Later, she fought Marsha Valley again for another title, the WIBC's version, and won by knockout. Ann Wolfe also got revenge on Valerie Mahfood. She beat Valerie to win the NABA World Super Middleweight Championship.

Ann Wolfe's Big Fight Against Vonda Ward

One of Ann Wolfe's most famous fights was on May 8, 2004. It took place in Biloxi, Mississippi. In this fight, Ann Wolfe did something amazing. She won the IBA world Light Heavyweight championship. This meant she held three world titles at the same time in different weight classes! This was a record that only one other boxer, Henry Armstrong, had achieved.

Ann Wolfe knocked out her opponent, Vonda Ward, very quickly. Vonda Ward was a champion and a former basketball star. Ann knocked her out in just one minute and eight seconds of the first round! Vonda Ward was taken to the hospital because she hurt her neck and head when she fell. People watching on TV called it "the best knockout punch in women's boxing history."

Ann Wolfe's Later Fights and Retirement

After her big win, Ann Wolfe kept her title by beating Marsha Valley again. She also defeated Monica Nunez in 2005. Later that year, she fought Valerie Mahfood for the second time and won again.

Ann Wolfe's last fights were in 2006. She knocked out Cassandra Giger and won a decision against Lisa Ested. After these fights, she retired from professional boxing. Since then, she has been working as a boxing trainer.

In 2015, Ann Wolfe was honored for her amazing career. She was added to the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame.

Ann Wolfe as a Boxing Trainer

After retiring from fighting, Ann Wolfe became a successful boxing trainer. She has trained many boxers, both amateurs and professionals. One of the boxers she trained is her oldest daughter, Jennifer Fenn. She also trained a well-known light-middleweight boxer named James Kirkland.

Ann Wolfe's Film Career

Ann Wolfe also became an actress! She was chosen by director Patty Jenkins to be in the 2017 movie Wonder Woman. In the film, Ann Wolfe played an Amazon warrior named Artemis.

Ann Wolfe's Professional Boxing Record

More About Boxing Champions

• List of boxing quadruple champions
• List of boxing triple champions
• List of light middleweight boxing champions
• List of middleweight boxing champions
• List of super middleweight boxing champions
• List of light heavyweight boxing champions