Andrea DeShong
Encyclopedia
Andrea DeShong is a former United States female boxer
who is best remembered for defeating Christy Martin in Martin's fourth professional bout.
in Wheeling, West Virginia
. After one more win, she faced the experienced Jamie Whitcomb, and also won this bout by a first round knockout.
. DeShong inflicted Martin's first career defeat, winning by a five-round decision. Right after defeating Martin, she had a second victory against Whitcomb, who lasted five full rounds this time, before losing a unanimous decision to DeShong.
On April 21, 1990, she and Martin fought for the second time, and Martin avenged her defeat, while at the same time handing DeShong her own first loss as a professional, by a five-round decision, also at Bristol.
, she was somewhat known to fans, as Martin had become the WBC
women's World Welterweight Champion, and DeShong remained the only boxer to defeat her as a professional. It helped DeShong regain prominence that Martin had become a symbol of women's boxing, having appeared in the cover of Sports Illustrated
magazine and becoming a popular fighter by appearing on Showtime Network boxing undercards as well as pay-per-view
boxing shows.
and one more win, she faced veteran Kathy Collins, losing by a six-round unanimous decision at New York, New York.
After another win, she faced Isra Girgrah
, on November 10, at Washington, D.C.
. The two fought to a six-round draw (tie).
After two more wins, she received her first world title try, on March 2, 1997, being knocked out by Jane Couch
in seven rounds at New Orleans, Louisiana
, for the WIBF
's World Jr. Welterweight title.
Despite that setback, her next fight was a major event. As part of the undercard of the rematch between Evander Holyfield
and Mike Tyson
("The Bite Fight"), which also featured former world champions Julio César Chávez
and Miguel Ángel González
, she and Martin met for a third time. The fight was preceded by much fan hype, and both boxers were involved in "trash talking" on the days leading to the match. Martin defeated DeShong by a seventh round knockout on June 28.
DeShong lost to Lucia Rijker
in her next fight, September 13, by a knockout in round three.
Despite losing three fights in a row, she found herself challenging Kathy Collins for the world title in her next fight. DeShong failed for the second time to win the world title, also losing for the fourth time in a row, when Collins handed her a ten-round unanimous decision loss on January 10, 1998, for the IWBF
World Jr. Welterweight title.
After two more losses in a row, to Sumya Anani
and Mitzi Jeter, she retired from boxing.
Some fans and critics have observed that, after she gave up boxing for the first time, she should not have returned. When she did return, in 1996, she was 34 years old, an age when most boxers and athletes in general are considered to be "past their prime".
Andrea DeShong had 13 wins, 9 losses and 1 draw in 24 bouts, with 8 knockout wins.
Women's boxing
Women's boxing first appeared in the Olympic Games at a demonstration bout in 1902. For most of the 20th century, however, it was banned in most nations. Its revival was pioneered by the Swedish Amateur Boxing Association, which sanctioned events for women in 1988. The British Amateur Boxing...
who is best remembered for defeating Christy Martin in Martin's fourth professional bout.
Professional career
DeShong made her professional debut on March 11, 1989, when she beat Angel Horton by a first round knockoutKnockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
in Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling is a city in Ohio and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia; it is the county seat of Ohio County. Wheeling is the principal city of the Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. After one more win, she faced the experienced Jamie Whitcomb, and also won this bout by a first round knockout.
First fights with Martin
After winning two more fights, one by a second-round knockout, she and Martin met on November 4, at Bristol, TennesseeBristol, Tennessee
Bristol is a city in Sullivan County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 26,702 at the 2010 census. It is the twin city of Bristol, Virginia, which lies directly across the state line between Tennessee and Virginia. The boundaries of both cities run parallel to each other along State...
. DeShong inflicted Martin's first career defeat, winning by a five-round decision. Right after defeating Martin, she had a second victory against Whitcomb, who lasted five full rounds this time, before losing a unanimous decision to DeShong.
On April 21, 1990, she and Martin fought for the second time, and Martin avenged her defeat, while at the same time handing DeShong her own first loss as a professional, by a five-round decision, also at Bristol.
Rematch
It remains difficult for women boxers to find matches, and it was more difficult prior to the mid-'90s. DeShong ended up having a six-year layoff after the rematch with Martin. When she returned to boxingBoxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, she was somewhat known to fans, as Martin had become the WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
women's World Welterweight Champion, and DeShong remained the only boxer to defeat her as a professional. It helped DeShong regain prominence that Martin had become a symbol of women's boxing, having appeared in the cover of Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
magazine and becoming a popular fighter by appearing on Showtime Network boxing undercards as well as pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
boxing shows.
Return
DeShong returned April 27, 1996, losing a four round decision to Christine Butts. After two knockout wins against Jackie RogersJackie Rogers
Jackie Rogers is a retired NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver who has led only six out of the 4943 laps that he raced in his entire career. Rogers earned $64,582 and drove for finishing an average of 21st place.-References:...
and one more win, she faced veteran Kathy Collins, losing by a six-round unanimous decision at New York, New York.
After another win, she faced Isra Girgrah
Isra Girgrah
Isra Girgrah , is a world champion female boxer. The Girgrah family is of the old, high society, families of Aden, Yemen. They trace their roots to the northern Yemeni mountains of Al Bayda governorate. Isra, at the age of 3, moved to Canada with her family in 1974 and began boxing there in 1994 to...
, on November 10, at Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. The two fought to a six-round draw (tie).
After two more wins, she received her first world title try, on March 2, 1997, being knocked out by Jane Couch
Jane Couch
Jane Couch, MBE became the first officially licensed British female boxer in 1998. In a 14-year professional career, she won five world titles and announced her retirement from boxing on 1 December 2008...
in seven rounds at New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, for the WIBF
Women's International Boxing Federation
The WIBF is, along with the WIBA, IWBF and others, one of the more recognized world championship fight sanctioning organizations in women's boxing. The organization is based in Miami, Florida, and is not associated with male boxing's IBF.The WIBF was formed in the middle 1990s. It is presided by...
's World Jr. Welterweight title.
Despite that setback, her next fight was a major event. As part of the undercard of the rematch between Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield is a professional boxer from the United States. He is a former undisputed world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"...
and Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson
Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson is a retired American boxer. Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles, he was 20 years, 4 months and 22 days old...
("The Bite Fight"), which also featured former world champions Julio César Chávez
Julio César Chávez
Julio César Chávez is a retired Mexican professional boxer.He is a six-time world champion in three weight divisions, and for several years he was considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world...
and Miguel Ángel González
Miguel Ángel González
Miguel Ángel González Suárez , known as Miguel Ángel, is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.-Football career:...
, she and Martin met for a third time. The fight was preceded by much fan hype, and both boxers were involved in "trash talking" on the days leading to the match. Martin defeated DeShong by a seventh round knockout on June 28.
DeShong lost to Lucia Rijker
Lucia Rijker
Lucia Rijker is a Dutch professional female boxer, kickboxer, and actress.Rijker has been dubbed by the press and opponents "The Most Dangerous Woman in the World". She can speak four languages and is a Buddhist, dedicating time daily to meditation and chanting...
in her next fight, September 13, by a knockout in round three.
Despite losing three fights in a row, she found herself challenging Kathy Collins for the world title in her next fight. DeShong failed for the second time to win the world title, also losing for the fourth time in a row, when Collins handed her a ten-round unanimous decision loss on January 10, 1998, for the IWBF
International Women's Boxing Federation
The IWBF is, along with the WIBA, WIBF and others, one of the more recognized world championship fight sanctioning organizations in Women's boxing. The organization is based in Huntington, New York....
World Jr. Welterweight title.
After two more losses in a row, to Sumya Anani
Sumya Anani
Sumya Anani is one of the top fighters in the sport of women's boxing.Anani, like many women's boxers, came to the sport in a roundabout fashion. While living in Kansas City in the early 1990s and working as a massage therapist, she took a course in self-defense...
and Mitzi Jeter, she retired from boxing.
Some fans and critics have observed that, after she gave up boxing for the first time, she should not have returned. When she did return, in 1996, she was 34 years old, an age when most boxers and athletes in general are considered to be "past their prime".
Andrea DeShong had 13 wins, 9 losses and 1 draw in 24 bouts, with 8 knockout wins.