(AUG 29) Barbara Buttrick, one of the top “Greatest WOMEN of All Time [GWOAT] in her era of boxing, and affectionately known as “The Mighty Atom of the Ring ” is not just a name in the annals of sports history; but her groundbreaking achievement, particularly in the realm of women’s boxing.
Barbara was born on December 3, 1929, in Yorkshire, England, and she spent her life being one of the first greatest female boxers of all time in her era of boxing in the 1950s and 1960s. Approaching her 95th birthday, the legacy she has built throughout the years of being in the sport from a teenager until years later there is hardly any comparison of what she has accomplished as a pioneer trailblazer boxer, and what she has done throughout the years outside the ring!
Growing up as an only child, Buttrick was small for her age, standing at just 4′ 11″ and weighing about 98 lbs.
Barbara began her journey into the sport by accident! Her journey began unexpectedly when she stumbled upon a newspaper article about Polly Burns, a female prizefighter from the early 1900s.
Polly Burns was her inspiration—and the first thing she did was purchased boxing gloves and began training rigorously.
But as we all know, women’s boxing has not been cool throughout countless year until about the last few years.
Barbara’s boxing career was anything but smooth; she faced numerous challenges, not least of which was the refusal of British authorities to acknowledge female boxers. Nevertheless, she found ways to make her mark, engaging in boxing booths and exhibitions that demonstrated not only her skill but also her spirit in the sport.
Buttrick’s move to America in 1952 marked a significant turning point in her career. Alongside female boxer Phyllis Kugler, Buttrick made history by obtaining the first boxing licenses for women in Texas, culminating in a world title bout in San Antonio. In 1957, she emerged victorious, claiming the title of the first women’s world boxing champion.
In Miami Beach, she further solidified her status by fighting in Florida’s first female boxing match in 1959. Buttrick was not just a participant but rather a pioneer who laid the groundwork for future generations of female boxers—not only inside the ring but “Outside the Ring.”
After she was no longer boxing, Buttrick eventually founded the Women’s International Boxing Federation (WIBF) in 1989.
Barbara Buttrick’s story is a powerful reminder that with passion and resilience, anything can be accomplished in the sport. WBAN recognizes countless high-profile boxers as Buttrick and is truly noted one of the GWOAT’s in their era of boxing.
[Top two photos are for historical purposes only and are under the fair use as it is a news story and historical in nature. The bottom photo of Buttrick that was taken in Lincoln City, Oregon, was taken by Sue TL Fox].
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