Who Is Ann Wolfe?

During a recent appearance on the ‘Million Dollaz Worth of Game’ podcast, the three-division undisputed world champion Claressa Shields said she is the best women’s boxer of her era, but she didn’t acknowledge her newly acquired rival Laila Ali as being the best of her era.

Instead of choosing the inaugural 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?

A native of Austin, Texas, Ann Wolfe made her pro boxing debut back in October 1998 when she defeated Brenda Drexel by way of split decision. Wolfe would go on to win her next four fights. Due to an accidental headbutt, 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 by Valerie Mahfood in the third round. Wolfe bounced back by winning her next two fights.

Ann Wolfe became a champion for the first time when she defeated Vienna Williams via unanimous decision, and won the IFBA junior-middleweight title. Six months later, Wolfe stopped Gina Nicholas in the third round and won the WIBA junior-middleweight strap.

Wolfe moved up in weight and proceeded to stop Marsha Valley in the sixth round. With the victory, Ann Wolfe won the vacant IFBA super-middleweight title. Six months later, Wolfe stopped Valley once again in the rematch, and collected the vacant WIBC belt.

In her next bout, Ann Wolfe was seeking revenge as she was set to face the woman who took her unblemished boxing record. Wolfe got her vindication with a decision win over Valerie Mahfood.

On May 8, 2004, during a light heavyweight title bout, Ann Wolfe created a viral moment that lives on 21 years later. Wolfe recorded the most devastating one-punch knockout in women’s boxing history when she knocked out 6 foot 6 inch Vonda Ward in the first round.

In her last career bout, Wolfe defeated Lisa Ested.

Once her boxing career ended, Ann Wolfe trained the 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 time period, Laila Ali (24-0, 21 KOs) was considered to be the face of women’s boxing. Unfortunately, Ali and Wolfe never faced each other. In a recent interview with Andre Ward, Ali claims the fight didn’t happen due to a contract dispute.

In her prime, Laila Ali was a boxer who was able to control distance by utilized a sharp, accurate jab. Her one-two, lead right hand, well placed shots to the body, and her combination punching made Ali hard to beat.

Ann Wolfe (24-1, 16 KOs) was a boxer-puncher 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 women’s boxer in history who possessed 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 bout and proceeded to win the rematch against Mahfood. Laila Ali also faced 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.”