Jackie Tonawanda: the 'female Ali' that shocked the world

In the gritty world of boxing, where the spotlight often shines on male fighters, Jackie Tonawanda emerged to the boxing scene, defying all stereotypes. Her fierce determination and her lightning-fast fists made her one of the best female fighters in the world of boxing. Let us take a look at the greatest moments in her career.

Often referred to as the "female Ali," Tonawanda inspired generations of female athletes to step up into the ring with confidence. She was the first woman to fight at Madison Square Garden (1975) proving to the world that women belonged in the ring as much as men.

Born in 1933, in Suffolk County, New York, as Jackie Garret, she would discover her passion for boxing in Queens, New York. "When she was just 8 years old she became an orphan and by age 13 she had begun boxing in Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn," according to the online publication Unorthodox.

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Standing at 5'7 ft (1.75m) and 175 lbs (79kg), Tonwanda was a heavyweight and would often struggle to find an opponent in her weight class. The American boxer would spar with men, and she stated in an interview, "women couldn't take my power".

The big mystery surrounding Tonwanda's true boxing record emerges from the fact she mainly participated in unsanctioned fights, as women were not allowed in prize fights during those times. She was an underground fighter. According to Unorthodox, some sources claim her true boxing record could be somewhere between 23-0 and 36-0.

She began her application for a license in 1974, but women could only be pro-wrestlers and boxing managers in the State, so the commission was denied. She fought hard against New York State to legalize and license female boxers.

'Lady Ali' was not happy about her unlicensed situation and pushed the New York Boxing Commission. In 1975, she sued the Commission itself for not allowing female boxers to be issued a professional boxing license.

Ed Dooley, the head of the Athletic Commission, was outspoken in his ways and strongly believed women would bring down the sport if they got involved in the ring. Furthermore, it was also around the time rumors began circulating about the dangers of blows to the chest which could cause breast cancer, according to Unorthodox.

After Tonawanda sued the State, the Supreme Court ruled in her favor, "urging her to sue once again to have the laws preventing women from boxing revoked," according to Unorthodox.

Sadly, she would not pursue her legal battle and return to underground bouts in 1976. That same year, she was invited to meet her boxing idol, Muhammad Ali, during his training camp.

Fast forward to 1978, the state of New York finally handed three boxing licenses to Cathy Davis, Tonawanda, and Mirian Trimar, becoming the very first women ever to receive a boxing license in the state.

On June 12, 2022, Jackie Tonawanda was formally inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, just 13 years after her passing in 2009. She stands with some of the best such as Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Wladimir Klitschko, and Andre Ward.

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