Woman wins first sanctioned mixed-gender professional boxing match on October 9, 1999.

  • By Walt Crowley
  • Posted 10/11/1999
  • HistoryLink.org Essay 1730

On October 9, 1999, Margaret McGregor (b. 1963) defeats Loi Chow in a four-round junior lightweight bout at the Mercer Arena in Seattle Center. It is the first sanctioned mixed-gender match in the history of professional boxing.

McGregor, a landscaper living in Port Orchard, dominated the bout from the first bell and was awarded the victory by unanimous decision. The event was organized by Bob Jarvis and approved by the Association of Boxing Commissions. McGregor had won her previous three matches against female opponents, but declared, "This is the biggest day of my life."

In the evening's main event, Edmonds native Martin O'Malley (b. 1975) defeated Tito Tovar by a technical knockout in the first round of their lightweight match.


Sources:

The Seattle Times, October 10, 1999.


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