Author, and women’s boxing historian Malissa Smith, is set to release her book, “The Promise of Women’s Boxing: A Momentous New Era for the Sweet Science” on June 4.
The launch will occur on June 15, in Brooklyn, New York at the world-famous Gleason’s Gym. A reading and Q and A session will follow.
The book launch will feature a women’s boxing forum. This will focus on many aspects of the sport, detailing the strengths and struggles of women’s boxing, the achievements, and the proud moments. Ultimately, the book and forum will address whether the promise of women’s boxing has been met.
The panel discussion will certainly feature some trailblazing participants from the world of women’s boxing including author, filmmaker, and former amateur boxer Raquel Cepeda. Also featured is 5x world champion and IBHF and IWBHF inductee Alicia “Slick” Ashley, 2x world title winner, Maureen “The Real Million Dollar Baby” Shea, and trainer, former 2x world champion and 2025 IWBHF inductee, Shelly “Shelito’s Way” Vincent.
Also on the panel will be former WBO world titlist Heather “The Heat” Hardy, 4x title winner and Gleason’s Gym trainer “Queen” Ronica Jeffrey, and NYS referee and 2015 IWBHF inductee Sparkle Lee.
Smith has merged her two passions – writing and boxing. She tells a story that focuses on a decade-long period (approx. 2012-2022) that features the stories that capture the triumphs and trials of everything through from the 2012 Olympics to the women’s super-fights of 2022. A boxing fan since a young girl, her love affair with the sport bloomed when she walked into Gleason’s, New York’s famous fight factory, over 25 years ago. This book sees the culmination of decades around the sport, and the women with a drive to thrive in it.
Women’s boxing has seen a new era of stars emerge. This has brought in new fans and added credibility in their continued plight for recognition in the (traditionally male dominated) sport.
This is a must-read for boxing fans. And, this book release is a can’t-miss event with author Smith on hand to sign books and meet and greet fans.
MaxBoxing had a chance to catch up with Manhattan-born, Brooklyn-residing Smith for a quick chat to discuss the launch of this her 2nd book.
Bill Tibbs: Hi Malissa, thanks for taking a minute to chat.
Malissa Smith: Hi Bill, no problem, looking forward to it.
BT: So, you walk into a boxing gym, the famous Gleason’s Gym in New York and are immediately fascinated. Is that accurate?
MS: Well, I came late to boxing as far as really getting involved in it, but I had grown up loving boxing. I was at that age where I watched Wide World of Sports and listened to Howard Cosell and watched the great Muhammad Ali. But, when I really got into the sport I was quite fascinated with the gender anomaly around this hyper masculine sport and where women fit into it. I did a college degree and went on to do master’s degree and wrote on the subject.
BT: Did you ever compete at all?
MS: No. When I got into the sport and started to really be around it, I was past the age where I would look to box. Although I did spar and loved working out.
BT: But you seemed to fall in love with boxing and jumped right into it and the culture of the sport.
MS: Yes, I did. I have done work with the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame, the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, the Ring’s Rating Committee, and I have been active with my blog, Girlboxing, since 2010. This is my 2nd book as I published my first book in 2014 titled, “The History of Women’s Boxing”.
BT: There seems to have been peaks and valleys with women’s boxing in terms of interest and acceptance.
MS: Absolutely. There was a real lull in the sport for women around 2006 / 2007. It really died out in the public’s imagination. The Olympics changed things and in many ways in 10 years things have changed and in many ways they haven’t. I mean PBC still doesn’t have women fighters on their cards – thought they did in 2016. Yet, women are fully accepted in MMA, kick boxing, other combat sports for some reason. How many books are released in a year on boxing? 30-40? I’m the only one writing books about female boxing, and this is my 2nd book in 10 years. Female fighters don’t get the attention and opportunities they deserve and have earned.
BT: There are big (female) stars in other combat sports.
MS: Look at the money somebody like Rhonda Rousey has made in her sport yet it was impossible to get a female fighter on ShowTime from 2002-2017.
BT: Where is female boxing right now?
MS: The center of gravity shifts for boxing, and certainly for women’s boxing. Right now, England seems to be a place where it is healthy. Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, Ben Shalom and Boxxer and a bit with Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions. As I said the centre of gravity certainly shifts regularly with boxing and without a doubt in women’s boxing.
BT: How can that change?
MS: I think the big thing is starting with respecting the achievements and respecting the effort and commitment and to stop limiting opportunities simply because they are female. I mean look at a fight like Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent when they fought for the WBO title at the Madison Square Garden Theatre in 2018. It was their 2nd fight, packed, sold out. People wanted to see them. Sonya Lamonikis, a heavyweight, literally buses of people would come to see her fight. People wanted to see them fight. This needs to be respected and acknowledged. They also need to address the 2-minute round idea. I mean, come on, there are far more men getting hurt, leaving the game punch drunk, than women. There are many more injuries to men than women. A lot of politics. Look at the last Canelo (Saul Alvarez) card. What was that? 11 fights or something and not one woman? C’mon. That’s bullshit. That’s politics.
BT: Addressing your question of whether the promise of women’s boxing has been met. Do you think the book answers it?
MS: I’m happy with a lot of what was covered, and I think it really highlights many of the great women in the sport and their achievements. What does keep me up though is the fact that there are so many stories to tell and you can’t tell them all. Like every publication you must reign it in at times and this has been hard. How do you not talk about (Lindenhurst, New York, junior middleweight) Alicia Napoleon, or (Ashburn, Virginia, former world champion) Tori Nelson, or Canada’s Jelina Mrdjenovich. How do you leave any of them out? There are so many other stories that I couldn’t tell or didn’t get to write as much as I’d like. I couldn’t tell them all. That keeps me up at night.
BT: That certainly speaks to your passion for them and their accomplishments in boxing. Let’s talk about your book launch.
MS: It’s June 15 at Gleason’s Gym. It is going to have a boxing forum. A discussion, talking about issues raised in the book, experiences from different fighters’ perspectives, questions, and answers. It is also my 70th birthday so we are going to have a little birthday party, some cake, that will be fun.
BT: A boxing party at Gleason’s in New York. Doesn’t get better than that. So, the book is done, what are you up to these days?
MS: Well, I’m retired, I worked for the City of New York. I am taking care of my husband who has some health difficulties. I’m writing. Keeping busy.
BT: Final thoughts on the release of your book.
MS: I just want to bring attention to female fighters who need to be respected for their efforts. They leave the sport having paid a price. They get hurt and injured. I don’t want their achievements denigrated. I want them all to get the same opportunities. There are some great fighters who put on great fights. They need to be recognized and respected for that.
BT: Malissa. Best of luck on the book release. You have tackled a subject you are passionate about, and I think this sounds like a fabulous read for boxing fans. Looking forward to it. Thanks so much for your time.
MS: Oh, thank you, Bill. I appreciate it.