IWBHF celebrates 10 years

The event being billed as “Night of the Stars” is indeed that with the very best in the world of women’s boxing being recognized.

The International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame is heading for the 10 count–but in a good way.

It’s going to be a great weekend of festivities that will see the best of female boxing celebrated on October 6-7, at the Orleans Hotel & Casino, in the city of lights, Las Vegas, Nevada. 

The weekend is celebrating the 10th year anniversary of the (IWBHF) International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame and the 25th anniversary of the Women’s Boxing Archive Network (WBAN). Clearly, there are some timeline milestones in women’s boxing being recognized.

The event will kick off with a pre-celebration afternoon on Friday.

On Saturday, the Mardi Gras Ballroom at the Orleans will host the meet and greet, dinner, and induction ceremony for the 2023-2024 IWBHF inductees and special award recipients.. 

So many of the people who work tirelessly to support and promote women’s boxing, like Amy Green, Terri Moss, Tracy Byrd, and Layla McCarter, among many, many others are both excited and proud of this year’s event that looks to surpass previous years. 

With this being an anniversary year for both the IWBHF and the WBAN, the board decided to invite the 2024 inductees to this year’s event, making it even more special.

The night will see 12 in the 2024 induction category including, Agnieszka Rylik (Poland), Daniella Smith (New Zealand), Suzy Taylor (Nevada), Rhonda Luna (California). Maria Jesus Rosas (Spain), Jacqui Frazier-Lyde (Pennsylvania), Esther Schouten (Netherlands), Stacy Prestige (Missouri) and Sindy Amador (California), all in the “Modern Female Boxers” category.

In the “Non-Boxer and Pioneer” category they are inducting retired IFBA president Judy Kulis and promoter Lou Dibella, of New York. Also included will be Canadian amateur promoter Jenny Reid.

The 2023 IWBHF inductees will see (from the United States) retired, or multiple world champions, including Kaliesha West, Sonya Lamonakis, Laura Ramsey Kim Messer, Leah Mellinger, Jenifer Alcorn, Melissa McMorrow, Yvonne Trevino, and Melissa Del Valle. The “Non-Boxer and Pioneer” category will include Jill Diamond Chastain, Bruce Silverglade, and Dallas Malloy.

Finally, the Saturday night induction dinner will see 4 special award recipients including Marty Wynn and Stuart Breslow receiving the “Beyond the Ropes” award. Also, Regina Halmich and Sumya Anani will get a “Lifetime Achievement” award. 

All in all, the weekend looks to be the best of many great Hall of Fame weekends over the last decade. The very best of the past, present, and future of women’s boxing being celebrated in fine fashion.

Congratulations to all the 2023 and 2024 inductees.