Top Rank’s Crystina Poncher Celebrates # 15

This July will mark 15 years.

The ground-breaking Crystina Poncher is halfway through her second decade as one of boxing’s most accomplished and recognizable announcers and analysts in the sport.

Poncher has evolved from her early days as a reporter for Top Rank Boxing to calling some of the world’s biggest fights from ringside as both a lead and co-anchor.

She has worked with a variety of co-hosts over the years. She has (more than) held her own in a sport that was predominantly male in all aspects when she started, from fighters in the ring to everyone outside it. But Poncher was driven in her confidence and determination as she navigated a landscape that didn’t feature women.

Poncher has long stated that she has always wanted to work in sports media, and growing up in Southern California, she certainly was around boxing. However, a former basketball player herself, she never envisioned herself working in the “sweet science”. But when she got her opportunity with Top Rank Boxing 15 years ago, she made the most of it.

From roving reporter to hosting media events to profiling fighters to working ringside as an announcer and analyst, her vast experience in the sport has allowed her to develop into one of the very best in boxing. From small clubs and casino shows to sold-out mega-stadiums, Poncher has worked them all. 

The only thing that hasn’t changed in her career is how the ever-youthful married mother of 2 young children looks. And, Poncher, is as friendly and approachable a person as you could hope to meet in the sport. She seems to juggle marriage, motherhood, and the microphone with a calm, coolness, and a ton of hard work!

A trademark of Crystina’s delivery is her attention to detail and pre-fight preparation that allows the listener and viewer to enjoy the fight with commentary from a prepared and informed professional.

In a recent social media post, Poncher was reflecting on her very first assignment 15 years ago this July. On her first day on the job, she was covering a presser for a Juan Manuel Lopez / Rafael Marquez bout at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.

“Time has truly flown by. I feel proud to still be here and in what I have accomplished”.

Jobs, let alone careers, are hard to hold down in the competitive world of sports media. Top Rank Boxing knew they had a gem years ago when she started. The Las Vegas-based promotional firm and its legendary, visionary boss Bob Arum should be commended for letting Poncher develop on her merits, in the predominantly male-dominated sport at that time.

“I appreciate my Top Rank Boxing family for having the foresight and taking a chance, on a young female sports reporter who had a journalism degree and a passion for her craft long before it was popular and close to being the norm it is nowadays, she said. “Look at the history we’ve made since”. 

I have had the pleasure of writing about Crystina Poncher’s career for years now. (Yes, she is as nice as she appears). It has been a pleasure to watch her develop into one of the most respected announcers in the sport.

Crystina has always said her goal is the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Don’t be surprised if, down the line, years from now, Crystina and her family are all heading to Canastota to bring home some hardware.

On behalf of everyone at MaxBoxing, thank you for the great work you do, elevating both the fights and fighters in all your broadcasts.  

Here’s to 15 more.