Video: Christy Martin at the IWBHOF Ceremony

Before Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, there was Christy Martin.

The former boxing world champion broke through into pop culture in the 90’s having been the first female fighter to fight on a major pay-per-view card. It was also the start of audiences accepting women as fighters that has been growing ever since.

Watch Olympic Gold medalist Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews Pro Debuts Here at 7 p.m. est/4 p.m st

Only months after winning her second Olympic gold medal, Claressa Shields is ready to spark a revolution in the pro ranks.

The successful world amateur champion will hit the ring in las Vegas as a part of the Kovalev versus Ward undercard live in Las Vegas Saturday night.

The popular boxer will face a familiar foe in fellow Team USA vet and nation amateur champion Franchon Crews, who will also make her pro debut. Sheilds handed her a loss in their only other outing, and Crews looks to avenge it.

The stream starts at 7 p.m. est/4 p.m. est and you can watch it below.

Watercooler: Boxing’s Hardy to Invicta; Schneider to Bellator

World boxing champion Heather Hardy is heading to MMA.

Hardy decided to crossover and has inked a deal with InvictaFC. She announced the signing via Ring TV. Ironically it was the new insurance plan for fighters under MMA legalization in home state of New York that drove her to the decision. She is still expecting to box along with her MMA career.

Beautiful Brawlers Announces All Pro Boxing Card for December

With the news of women’s boxing getting a boost in 2017, one of the first event to feature amateur and pro female boxers will help kick start it in 2016.

Beautiful Brawlers announce an all pro female boxing show at the Pacifica Cages in Pacifica, California December 3rd. It will be the first of a four card series with the promotion. The December 3rd card will feature a five fight card.

Women’s Boxing Gets its Platform as Taylor and Shields Turn Pro

Two Olympic Gold Medalists will turn pro starting in November.

Claressa Shields will make her pro debut in Las Vegas November 19th on the preliminary card of the Andre Ward-Sergey Kovalev fight card.

Olympic Boxing Recap: Shields and Adams Repeat; Mossely Takes Gold

Sheilds

Flint, Michigan’s Claressa Shields continues her dominance as the best amateur female boxer at 75kg. She became the first US boxer male or female to repeat as a gold medalist as she defeated Netherlands’s  Nouchka Fontijn Sunday in an unanimous decision in the 75kg finals at the 2016 Olympic Games. At age 21, we won’t be surprised if she tries for the trifecta in 2020 in Tokyo.