“Women of the Ring” Hits L.A.

A KO for Mary Ann Owen’s new book!

They spend countless hours shadowboxing in lonely isolated gyms. They put in endless days of hard intense sparring in preparation for their next battle. And when the bell rings they always give it their 100% efforts in the ring–never backing down and never giving up.

These fighters are just as tough as the next guy–except in their case they just happen to be females.

Welcome to an up close and personal look into the world of women’s boxing.

As anyone who knows me will attest to, I am supportive of all aspects in the sport, both pro and amateur, male or female. So when Mary Ann Lurie Owen, one of the most respected photographers in boxing, told us about her brand new book celebrating female fighters, I couldn’t wait to see it. A professional boxing shutterbug since 1998, she has captured all the beauty and brutality inside the ropes and has dedicated many years to covering everything pugilism in both print and online outlets.

As I pored through the pages of her new book, called “Extraordinary Women of the Ring, A Look Inside Women’s Boxing as Never Seen Before,” I notice it’s filled with over 250 images shot in both film and digital. I also see pages showing stunning photos of all-out action wars between the fierce “She-Warriors” of the sweet science. There’s also interesting chapters on the ladies’ boxing history, fighters’ bios, professional record listings, and details on all the sanctioning bodies.

I ordered my special collector’s edition from editor Aurélie Saulnier of the international publisher Kirographaires Editions, who touts this new tome as “the first book dedicated to the world of female boxing.” At the recent workout at the Fortune Gym showcasing Alfredo Angulo, who will be fighting in on July 17 in Rancho Mirage, California, I brought my book out during a break in the action to give Mary Ann a shout out in celebrating the release of her publication.

And immediately, the slick colorful handbook got everyone’s attention. This unique ode to women’s boxing really made a splash in its L.A. gym debut! Female cutman and gym co-owner Mysti Friedman had already greeted me earlier in the day when she saw me taking notes and taking snapshots. The friendly cornerman and trainer said she was glad to see other females like me involved in boxing. She takes me to former heavyweight contender Justin Fortune and Canadian boxer Joel Mills, as we chat with the other two owners of their gym located in Hollywood. Fortune Gym is housed in a nice, airy large space with lined brick walls, painted murals and vintage fight posters amongst the boxing ring, heavy bags, speed bags, weights, bikes and more. “We wanted to make it an authentic gym for all the working fighters,” Friedman says to me.

Mysti enjoyed looking at the book while one of her mentors, busy cutman Tony Rivera, also joined our group. Being a woman in boxing can be an uphill climb at times, but she says people like Rivera, Fortune and Joe Souza have been very helpful to her career aspirations. Mysti was an amateur boxer with a 32-2 record who is currently working in corners and already has 22 boxing matches and 44 MMA fights of experience.

Gym owner and Australian heavyweight Justin Fortune also took time to check out the glossy pages of Owen’s paean to female gladiators, as did others working out there. Fortune gave it two thumbs up as he cheerfully posed with the new title, as you’ll see in these photos of Justin and a few boxing notables seeing “Extraordinary Women of the Ring” for the very first time.

Legendary cutman Joe Chavez flipped through the volume, as well as 2008 Mexican Olympian Francisco Vargas, famed strength and conditioning coach Darryl Hudson, and another talented lensman in boxing and one of the best in the biz too, the well-regarded Big Joe Miranda.

Hudson, who is currently working with Angulo, was excited to scan the pages while looking for the section on Laila Ali. “There she is!” the amiable trainer said when he found “The Greatest’s” daughter’s chapter right near the front of the one-of-a-kind book.

The reaction from “Perro” Angulo was a warm one as well. During one of his breaks from stretching and jumping rope, he gathered around to see the images captured by Mary Ann. We took a fun pic with Angulo’s cutest little “Perrita” ever, his daughter Rebeca, and his pretty assistant Tania who put up her dukes in support.

In this new volume, you’ll read forwards by Jackie Kallen, Freeda Foreman and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and afterword by Jean-Claude Bouttier, with boxers Laila Ali, Christy Martin, Lucia Rijker, Olivia Gerula, Ann Wolfe, Elena Reid, Ann Marie Saccurato, Mia St. John, Chevelle Hallback, Melissa Hernandez, Holly Holm, Sue Fox and many, many more all featured inside this 270-page paperback.

One female slugger who’s a big fan of the new handbook is pro boxer and former WBE champ, Bonnie Mann. “I bought two at the Golden Gloves tourney in Florida,” she tells me with enthusiasm. “But my ‘collector’s edition’ came about two weeks ago–I love it!”

Mann knows the dedication and professionalism of the photographer, who is a fixture on the apron. “‘Extraordinary Women in Boxing,’ to me, shows the true heart, determination, passion and skill of women boxers all around the world through the beautiful pictures captured by Mary Ann Owen!”

Owen has already had exclusive book signings around the world, including Florida and France. She said there will be more appearances planned in Vegas, Los Angeles, and additional cities coming your way soon.

“The women boxers are amazing,” the celebrated new author, Owen, mentioned to me when my book arrived in the States. “I hope my book sheds more light on their sport.”

If you’d like to order your own copy: www.kiroed.com

(34.95 with shipping anywhere in the world for just 3.00)

Photos courtesy of Michele Chong