HISTORY OF
WOMEN'S BOXING

WBAN asked Dawn how she had gotten into the sport and she said, "My father and grandfather fought in the Golden Gloves. I lived in Camden, New Jersey,  which is the poorest city in the state. My father started training me at the age of 12 for fun. I dabbled on and off in boxing until I was 23 and began studying the Japanese Art of Aikido. By the time I was 26 years old I weighed 235 lbs on a 5'7" solid frame so I got back into boxing to lose weight.  I started training at a gym in Cherry Hill, NJ called, "Better Health thru Boxing." Six months later I met a gentleman who convinced me to train for professional boxing. Approximately one year after that on November 7, 1997 and at 170lbs I had my first fight at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, PA. against Francine Washington. I won that bout by a 3rd round TKO.   After that fight I changed trainers and gyms. I trained at Joe Hand's Gym in Philadelphia by the legendary George Benton who was training heavyweight fighter, Kirk Johnson, at the time. I also trained at the legendary Champs Gym in Philadelphia. On August 28, 1998 I had my second fight against Kathy Rivers at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City NJ. I lost that fight by unanimous decision."

I asked Dawn why she stopped boxing after those two fights and she told WBAN, "I disappeared from the scene because I was disgusted. I woke up and saw the politics involved in boxing and felt I was being manipulated. I was told that Kathy Rivers was also fighting her second fight. I found out that it was her fourth fight the night before the fight. I was told nothing about my opponent not even her height. I know now that I was poorly managed and didn't train properly for someone of her height and reach. As you know these factors are important in preparing and training for a fight. I respect women's boxing too much to be used as a punching bag."

Dawn still trains off and on at Mascarenhas' Boxing and Tae Kwon Do Karate Gym in Berlin, New Jersey.  Dawn said that she will occasionally make appearances at area gyms working with young female fighters in particular and pass on her knowledge and experiences in boxing.