(JUNE 16) We are proud to announce that we have added female police officer/boxer, Melanie Costa, to be honored and celebrated as one of our special award recipients in the "Women Cops who Box" segment of our pre-celebration that takes place on April 4-5, 2025, the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame will be hosting our next "Night of the Stars 2" two-day Hall of Fame event at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.  With our event now a two-day affair for the second year----we have a pre-celebration day on the first day of our event. 

Melanie Costa, better known as “The Pit Bull” to her fighting peers. She is a 30-year old, and resident of Norton, MA.  In the ring, Costa is a determined fighter and strong competitor.  In her personal life, she is known to be friendly, well-liked by peers, by friends and family, yet known for discipline. Costa takes pride in applying both her strong work ethic and a positive attitude to all aspects of my life. Costa said told WBAN her background of boxing and more:  Where, when I am not training, I have the honor to be a law enforcement officer. Serving the Norton community in full time capacities for the last three years. I love the job and highly enjoy the challenge of encountering new situations, with the excitement that consistently meeting new people brings."  Full Story

Ann Marie Carrizales has an amazing story. She is not only a police officer with numerous awards and honors in Law Enforcement, but also a survivor. Officer Carrizales was shot in the face and chest, yet she continued to pursue the suspects even after being injured. In addition to her achievements in law enforcement, Officer Carrizales made history while serving in the military. She became the first woman to represent the Marine Corps in amateur boxing, earning her a well-deserved place in the All-Marine Boxing Hall of Fame.  Full Story

Kyana Williams, a highly successful current amateur boxer who just won a Bronze medal, prior to becoming a police officer, was shot by a suspect in a home invasion. Kyana is a Providence Police Officer, looking to be a detective. Williams, said, "Police work, you have to genuinely love your job. You have to be comfortable making uncomfortable decisions for other people.  Williams believes that being a police officer allows her to make a positive impact on her community. She understands the importance of building trust between law enforcement and the people they serve, and she works tirelessly to bridge that gap. More

Kathy Williams, a retired world champion, took time away from boxing after her retirement in 2003 to focus on basketball as a referee and coaching career. Eventually, she found her way back to boxing as a coach, working with athletes of all ages. Since 2019, she has been serving as a boxing official, a role she continues to hold today. Alongside her involvement in sports, Kathy also had a long-standing career as a police officer. From 2019 until her retirement in June 2023, she taught new recruits at the Ontario Police College while juggling her responsibilities in the world of boxing. Throughout her time as an officer, Kathy had the opportunity to work in various departments such as Cyber Crime, Child Exploitation, Criminal Investigations, and School Resource Officer. In recognition of her achievements, Kathy was honored with an induction into the Northwestern Sports Hall of Fame located in Thunder Bay, Ontario in 2016.

Tracy Byrd, retired multi-world champion and former police officer from Michigan, was one of the first to headline an all women’s boxing card with Event Entertainment Promotions on PPV; a first to appear as a boxing family (brother, sister & parents) on USA Tuesday Night Fights; and the first female to become a world champion from Flint, Michigan. Tracy said, "I began at the age of 32 and endured 10 years in the second best sport of my life, next to basketball...I was able to travel all over the world and took pride in being a "trailblazer" for other women. Tracy was inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022. Tracy's journey in boxing not only brought her personal achievements, but it also paved the way for future generations of female fighters. As a retired multi-world champion and former police officer from Michigan, Tracy's impact extended beyond the boxing ring. Her determination, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire women in sports and beyond.

Stephanie Han, undefeated professional female boxer with a 8-0-0 (2KO), from El Paso, Texas, is not only a rising star in the sport as a professional female boxer, but she is a current police officer in Texas. Not only will Stephanie be honored in the "Women Cops Who Box", her sister Jennifer Han will also be present at the event, as she will be inducted the following night as one of our 2025 IWBHF Inductees! This is an extraordinary occurrence where two sisters will be recognized at the same event, with Jennifer being inducted in 2025 and Stephanie receiving a special award.

Alex Love, an extraordinary boxer, that WBAN had the opportunity to see Alex fight in the history-first Olympic Trials in 2012. She turned pro after having a successful amateur boxing career, and turned pro and has an undefeated record as a pro.  She also had became a police officer in Colorado. Alex served in the military, and received an Army Commendation Medal for her time and service with the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program, and she played a huge part in the success of the WCAP Boxing team as one of the most decorated Soldier-athletes in WCAP history. Alex's dedication to both her boxing career and service in the military is truly inspiring. Her achievements as a professional boxer, combined with her selflessness as a police officer and her distinguished military service, make her an exceptional role model.

Terri Moss, a retired multi-world champion, was inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015. She later became part of the IWBHF as Director of Marketing/Promotion. Moss started her career as a campus police officer at the University of Georgia while also earning her bachelor's degree there. She then transitioned into local law enforcement, specializing in narcotics investigations.  “It was a pretty interesting job,” she says. “I worked undercover, and we did search warrants … I liked to work behind the scenes and figure out who did what and go after them that way.” 
She particularly enjoyed sting operations. Currently, Moss is a successful promoter in Georgia, organizing numerous boxing events.

Melinda Cooper, retired world champion and police officer in Las Vegas, Nevada, has had an incredible journey. WBAN first started following her career when she was just a young amateur boxer.  Cooper was inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020. At the age of 17 years old, after having a successful amateur boxer, she became the first female, and only one of three boxers to be approved in the state of Nevada to box professionally before the age of 18.   Cooper's professional career was nothing short of remarkable. Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles, she consistently proved her mettle in the ring. Her skill, determination, and unwavering spirit propelled her to become a dominant force in women's boxing.  Cooper's impact extends far beyond the boxing ring. Her dedication to her community is evident through her work as a police officer, and she remains a symbol of resilience and strength, reminding us that with determination, anything is possible.

NORA DIAGLE
IRMA GARCIA TOR

Nisa Rodriguez, a former teacher, Nisa is also an eight-time New York Daily News Golden Gloves, six-time Metro Championships, two-time Empire State, and Caribbean and Central Americano gold medalist.  Rodriguez has been a NYC police officer for two years, stationed citywide for the rapid response unit, specializing in any crimes that involve adolescents and supporting families of homicides. “I truly consider it an honor to be working with Nisa Rodriguez,” Rodriguez’ manager NYC Atty. Keith Sullivan commented. “She is a tremendous role model, takes her training seriously and is a class act in and out of the ring. I am excited to be on this journey with her and to see where the road ahead takes her.”
 

The following night is the finale for our hall of fame event where we then honor and celebrate our 2025 elite IWBHF Inductees, and other special award recipients on this night. We will be publishing stories soon on many of our inductees and Special Award recipients.

Our elite IWBHF class of 2025 includes the following: Jackie Nava, retired multi-world champion, Mexico; Vaia Zaganas, retired multi-world champion, Canada, Kina Malpartida, retired multi-world champion, defending her belt five times, Peru, living in the USA: Jennifer Han, retired world champion, USA; Shelly Vincent, retired multi-world champion, USA; Helga Risoy, pre-modern boxer, 1990’s, Norway; Diana Prazak, retired multi-world champion, Australia, lives in USA; Kara Ro, retired world champion, Canada; Frida Wallberg, retired world champion, Sweden; Kathy Williams, retired world champion, Canada; Yvonne Caples, retired world champion, India, lives in USA; Jolene Blackshear, retired world champion, USA; Yessica Chavez, retired world champion, Mexico; Stephanie Jaramillo, pre-modern boxer, pre 2004, USA; Jill Matthews, retired multi-world champion, pre-modern boxer 1990’s, USA; Carlette Ewell, retired multi-world champion, USA; Yvonne Barkley, Pioneer female boxer from the 1970s-1980s, USA; Linda Platt, pioneer, one of the first females as a high-profile photographer; and Don King and Diane Fischer, long-time boxing promoters, USA. Lastly, our 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Daisy Lang, of Bulgaria!  Daisy was inducted into the IWBHF in 2017.  [Feature stories to come soon on all of the Inductees and Special Award recipients.]

The Induction ceremony/Dinner event will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in the Mardi-Gra Ballroom, where we will celebrate our IWBHF Inductees, and some special award recipients, and on our Pre-celebration that will take place on Friday, April 4, 2025, we celebrate our special award recipients that are the “Women Cops Who Box” and special awards for our pioneer trailblazers.

Our IWBHF 2025 event will include legendary fighters who have paved the way for future generations, to dedication of others outside of the ring in their accomplishments in the sport, and more. [Ticket Sales, link]  [Host Hotel at the Orleans hotel & Casino-- Special Rates with Code Link To Book your room on phone, call 800-675-3267 with the Reference group # IWBD24C]

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