Boxing, with its long history, took until 1998 to grant women
licenses to fight. With MMA (in its present form) only emerging in 1993,
the younger sport has been far quicker to embrace women athletes. It is
resonant of the times that in the midst of the very first Olympics to
include women’s boxing, such an event is now possible and that a British
promoter is willing to get behind it.
The Pro MMA bouts include square-offs between Cherie Buck and Chloe
Hinchcliffe, Rachael McMillan and Kate Jackson, Emma Watson and Andrea
Gladiatrix; with a further 5 confirmed Amateur bouts and more to be
added. The card also hopes to feature an Amateur boxing bout (yet to be
matched) with two times ABA champ, Juta; and showcases white collar
boxing and K1 earlier in the night.
Women Fight Back has drawn together the goodwill of a who’s who of
well-known industry names: UFC referee, Michelle Drake Browning, will be
flying in from the United States to oversee the fights, as Victim
Support is a charity close to her heart. She will be refereeing
alongside UK fighter, Danielle West. Judges are to include world #2
ranking Flyweight Rosi Sexton and UFC competitor, Oli Thompson.
Commentators include reputed UK MMA journalist, Brad Wharton. For added
star quality, UK MMA institution, Bret ‘Hollywood’ Freeman, will be
bringing his glitter-factor to the mic, next to glamorous presenter,
Cherelle-Jay O’Donnell, daughter to
legendary promoter Cage Rage Dave. With UK fighter personalities Louis
King, Tomasz Czerwinski, Dom Clarke, Steve Dossett and Tolly Plested
brought into the mix as ring boys; and with scene queens including
Little Red and Michaela (Fight Medics UK) promising to step into the
cage, Women Fight Back is set to be an unmissable night of
entertainment.
The driving force behind Women Fight Back is Emma Smith, owner of
Aphrodite Ring Girls and partner to Colosseum Sports promoter,
Gary Bond.
Smith said: “Victim support helped me out so much, years ago when I
was in a very volatile marriage; and that’s what inspired me to
want to do something that would give back to Victim Support, as they do
such a fantastic job. Everyone I have approached to volunteer their time
for this event has been really up for contributing to the cause. I’d
like to thank Victim Support for the changes they made in my life and to
all the people who have donated their time and effort into making this
event possible. It has brought together people from different parts of
the industry for a positive purpose and I’m really proud of that
achievement and everyone involved.”
Maralyn Smith, Victim Support Divisional Manager for Surrey said: “We always appreciate it when people and other organisations
take the initiative to raise much needed funds for Victim Support. I’m
delighted that we helped Emma Smith when she needed us the most during
her volatile marriage. The money raised from this event will support
victims of domestic violence and other crimes.”
Recorded Saturday 25th August At Women Fight Back at Fight Science Aldershot
