During a recent appearance on the ‘Million Dollaz Worth of Game’ podcast, three-division undisputed world champion Claressa Shields said she was the best female boxer of her era, but she didn’t recognize her newly acquired rival Laila Ali as the best of her era.
Instead of picking the first WBC women’s super-middleweight world champion Laila Ali, Claressa Shields believes Ann Wolfe was the best female boxer of that particular era. After hearing the name, some fans asked the question, who is Ann Wolfe?
Ann Wolfe, a native of Austin, Texas, made her pro boxing debut in October 1998 when she defeated Brenda Drexel by split decision. Wolfe would go on to win her next four fights. Due to an accidental bump to the head, Wolfe’s sixth career match was declared a no-contest.
In her next fight which took place on November 30, 2000, Ann Wolfe was stopped in the third round by Valerie Mahfood. Wolfe bounced back by winning her next two fights.
Ann Wolfe became a champion for the first time when she defeated Vienna Williams by unanimous decision to win the IFBA junior middleweight title. Six months later, Wolfe stopped Gina Nicholas in the third round and won the WIBA junior middleweight belt.
Wolfe moved up in weight and went on to stop Marsha Valley in the sixth round. With the win, Ann Wolfe won the vacant IFBA super middleweight title. Six months later, Wolfe Valley stopped again in the rematch and collected the vacant WIBC belt.
In her next fight, Ann Wolfe sought revenge as she faced the woman who took her unblemished boxing record. Wolfe got her vindication with a decision victory over Valerie Mahfood.
On May 8, 2004, during a light heavyweight title fight, Ann Wolfe created a viral moment that lives on 21 years later. Wolfe scored the most devastating one-punch knockout in women’s boxing history when she knocked out 6ft 6in Vonda Ward in the first round.
In her final career match, Wolfe defeated Lisa Ested.
Once her boxing career ended, Ann Wolfe trained hard-hitting junior middleweight contender James Kirkland. Wolfe was a great boxer, but was she the best female boxer of her era?
During that particular period, Laila Ali (24-0, 21 KOs) was considered the face of women’s boxing. Unfortunately, Ali and Wolfe never faced each other. In a recent interview with Andre Ward, Ali claimed the fight didn’t happen due to a contract dispute.
In her prime, Laila Ali was a boxer who could control distance using a sharp, accurate jab. Her one-two, leading right hand, well-placed punches to the body, and her combination punches made Ali hard to beat.
Ann Wolfe (24-1, 16 KOs) was a boxer who had power in both hands. Her right hand was devastating, but her left hook was also a very dangerous weapon. Wolfe is the only female boxer in history to possess consistent one-punch knockout ability.
The most notable common opponent for Wolfe and Ali was Valerie Mahfood. As previously stated, Ann Wolfe lost the first game and went on to win the rematch against Mahfood. Laila Ali also challenged Mahfood twice, but Ali was able to stop Mahfood both times.
So the question is, if they would have fought in their prime, who would have won the fight, Laila Ali or Ann Wolfe? Well, to quote hip hop legend Kanye West, “I guess we’ll never know.”
