HISTORY OF
WOMEN'S BOXING

WBAN's ORIGINAL BIOGRAPHY

5'3" Chantel Cordova was born in Pueblo, Colorado, USA, on 23 December 1986.  She began boxing at age 9 and her brother Marvin Cordova Jr is also a pro boxer. 

“My dad, Marvin Cordova Sr., who is my trainer, didn’t think women should box. So, my mom (manager Sherry Cordova) was taking a few boxers out to Ignacio, Colorado, for an amateur show. She asked me if I wanted to weigh in and see if there were any females to box,” Chantel recalled.

“Just my luck, there was a female in my weight class. I was a bit nervous, but was anxious to get in the ring. With a two-round stoppage, I had a victory over the hometown boxer!  My dad was out of town for work, but I called him and told him the news. Ever since, he has been in my corner, training and supporting me!”

The Cordova family team helped Chantel to a storied amateur career that included being the US national women’s champion in 2005 (defeating Stephanie Gonzalez by RSCO-2 in the 101-lb semifinal and Adri Harding by RSCO-2 in the final) and 2006 (defeating Colleen Loo 32-12 in the 101-lb final). She also took second place at the 2005 Pan Am Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. losing to Nancy Fortin of Canada by a 20-8 score. She was also a three-time Golden Gloves champion, including outstanding boxer of the tournament in 2004, won two Junior Olympic championships and three Silver Gloves titles. She was the first Colorado woman on the US women’s national amateur team.

“In 2006 I fought for my last time in the U.S. Championships, winning in the pinweight division,” she said of her decision to go pro. “I was hoping that in 2008 there would be a few women’s weight classes in the Olympics, but the committee did not approve, so I turned pro March 24, 2006.”

On March 24, 2006 at the Arkansas Valley Arena in Rocky Ford, Colorado, Chantel  (101 lbs) TKO'd pro debuter Unity Young  (5'0", 99 lbs) of Denver, Colorado in the first round of a scheduled four-rounder.

On April 15, 2006 at Geary County Convention Center in Junction City, Kansas, USA, Chantel (102 lbs) TKO'd Gina Abel (105 lbs) of Chicakasa, Oklahoma at 1:02 in the fourth round of a scheduled four-rounder.  Abel fell to 0-11-1.

On May 27, 2006 at USA Arena in Rocky Ford, Colorado, Chantel (103 lbs) won a four-round unanimous decision over Dawn Parker (103 lbs) of Winter Park, Florida, who fell to 0-4.

On July 5, 2006 at the City Auditorium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Chantel (102½ lbs) again fought Unity Young (98¼ lbs), this time TKO'ing the Denver resident at 1:06 in the first round of a scheduled four. This bout was unexpectedly carried on ESPN to fill otherwise vacant air time because the rest of the poorly-matched card ran short in their time slot. ESPN's airing of this flagrant mismatch between the technically skilled Cordova and the evidently untutored Young was noted by commentator Teddy Atlas as "not helping the sport of women's boxing". Atlas also blamed Young's manager and trainer for "not having the good sense to see that she does not belong in the ring" and many questioned why someone so unprepared could obtain a pro boxing license in Colorado.

On August 26, 2006 at the Convention Center in Junction City, Kansas, the level of opposition stepped up several notches as Chantel (102 lbs) battled Valarie Rix (105 lbs) of Sanford, Florida to a six-round draw.  Rix, who also had national level experience as an amateur, moved her record to 4-0-1 (1 KO).

On October 8, 2006 at the Marriott Arena in Junction City, Kansas, Chantel (103 lbs) won a four-round unanimous (40-36 x 3) decision over the durable Natasha Wilburn (112 lbs) of Atlanta, Georgia, who fell to 1-14 (0 KO's).

On January 4, 2007 at Harrah's Casino and Resort in Mayetta, Kansas, Chantel (101 lbs) won a four-round unainimous decision over Jodi Esquibel (104 lbs) of Albuquerque, New Mexico who fell to 4-2-0 (2 KO's).

On April 14, 2007 at Harrah's Casino and Resort in Mayetta, Kansas, Chantel won a six-round unanimous decision over Melissa Shaffer of Van Buren, Arkansas who fell to 9-5 (5 KO's).

Chantel then left competitive boxing for a time to give birth to her son Elijah and to be a mother. Unafraid of a challenge, when she returned to the ring after 32 months she immediately took on a  former world champion.

On January 28, 2010 at the Coca-Cola Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Hollie Dunaway (107 lbs) won a six-round split (58-56,60-54,55-59) decision over Chantel  (107 lbs). There were no knockdowns but Cordova's nose was bloodied.  The former world champion Dunaway improved to 23-8-1 (10 KOs) with the win. Chantel came away encouraged, despite the split decision loss. 

On April 22, 2010 at the 19th annual Tulsa Charity Fight Night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Chantel was originally scheduled to meet Becky Garcia (5-1) of Mesa, Arizona, but Garcia withdrew.  The always-game Melissa Shaffer (104 lbs), then based in Pensacola, Florida, stepped in for a chance at avenging her earlier loss to Chantel, but Cordova (106 lbs) rolled to a unanimous 59-55,59-55,60-54 decision.  Shaffer dropped to 10-8-0 (5 KOs) with the loss. Among the celebrities attending the charity event were former world champion Sugar Ray Leonard, former heavyweight contenders Earnie Shavers and James "Quick" Tillis, former middleweight contender and the figure behind the Denzel Washington movie "Hurricane", Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, comedian Eddie Griffin and boxing historian Bert Sugar.

“I felt real good. I went in there and gave it my all,” Cordova said of the win. “It felt like I landed everything I threw! It was good to be back in the ring after a long layover.”

“My goal now is to get a world title,” she said emphatically. She said she is comfortable fighting at either 106 or 112 pounds. “I can lose weight pretty easily, if necessary, and don’t mind gaining, if needed!” she laughed.  “I want to fight and stay active,” she said. “I want to keep working toward that world title!”

On January 22, 2011 at Arena Neza in Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, México, undefeated Arely Muciño (111¾ lbs) of Monterrey, Mexico won the IBF Flyweight title by TKO when Chantel (111¾ lbs) retired at the end of the third round. Cordova had no answer for Muciño's high pressure attack and her pro record fell to 8-2-1 (3 KO's) while Muciño's improved to 11-0-1 (7 KO's). 

On October 21, 2011, in  Pueblo, Colorado, before a vocally supportive hometown crowd in the "Best of Both Worlds" event, Chantel Cordova, won an eight-round unanimous decision over the  Savanna Hill of Little Rock, Arkansas. Final judges had the scoring 80-72 on all cards.

On September 1, 2012 - Pueblo, Colorado, Brandi Montoya won an eight-rounder by points over Chantel Cordova. In a second bout, Amanda Crespin won by points in a four-rounder over DJ Morrison.

On May 25, 2013, at the Pueblo Convention Center, in Pueblo, Colorado, Cordova, 112,  won an eight-round split decision over Sharon Gaines, 113. Final judges scores were 76-75, 75-76, and 78-73.

On October 5, 2013, in Pueblo, Colorado,  Cordova, 113, won an eight-round unanimous decision over Mandy Fuentes, 115. Final scores, 77-75, 76-75, 77-75. Hosted by Cordova Productions.

On November 13, 2013, at the Prairie Meadows Track & Casino, Altoona, Cordova won a six-round unanimous decision over Hollie Dunaway.  Final judges scores were 59-55, 60-54, and 60-54.

On March 21, 2014 - Colorado, touted fighter Chantel “Gorgeous Babe”  Maria Suarez wanted to give her soon-to-be 16-year old son a wonderful birthday present. On Friday night at the Pueblo Convention Center, she did just that. Suarez (8-0) remained undefeated by hanging tough through six rounds against the home-town favorite, Chantel “Gorgeous Babe” Cordova (12-5-1). Suarez, who supervises her California hometown’s Head Start early education program, impressed the partisan crowd with her aggressive style.  “I got into fighting about seven years ago,” said Suarez. “My son is going to be sixteen tomorrow and I used to take him to the gym when he was eight years old. He fought amateur for awhile, but I’m the one that stuck around and took on this profession. This isn’t even my full-time job. I have a master’s degree, so this is a hobby of mine—this is my passion—I love it!” ...Full Story

On July 11, 2014, at the Fantasy Springs Casino, in Indio, California,
Chantel Cordova, 111.5, 13-5-1 (3KO), won a 10-round split decision over Patricia Alcivar, 113, 7-3-1 (3KO).  The two were fighting for the vacant NABF Super flyweight title. Final judges scores were 97-93, 94-96, 97-93. A great write up on Desert Sun Newspaper said the following: "One of the show stoppers of a night of boxing was a rare women's bout at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Friday night, as Chantel Cordova won a split decision over Patricia Alcivar for the vacant NABF super flyweight title.  Two judges scored the bout 97-93 for Cordova, while a third judge scored it 96-94 for Alcivar.  However, Cordova was throwing the sharper punches, landing with crisper precision. Alcivar's punches came off as more slaps, and she continually held, then pushed in an effort to slow down the quicker Cordova."

On October 24, 2014, at the Memorial Hall, in Pueblo, Colorado, Cordova, 112 1/4, and an eight-round majority draw with Gloria Sales, 112 1/4. 

On December 13, 2014, at the Fairgrounds, Tampa, Florida, Noemi Bosques, 117 3/4,  won a ten-round unanimous decision over Chantel Cordova, 110 1/2. 

The attractive "Gorgeous Babe" Cordova has her own style, but does have ring role models. “My female role model would have to be Holly Holm. She is a good fighter and a great person!” Cordova said. “My male role model is Manny Pacquiao. He is a great fighter and a very humble person.”

“To my fans, thanks for all the support, and stay tuned … because I’m going to do big things this year! Keep your eyes out for me going all the way to the top!” she added.

Page last updated: Saturday, April 2, 2011

WBAN Boxer Bio by Dee Williams and Mark Elwood