This is taken from womenboxing.com

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Four time World Champion Kickboxer Lucia Rijker has been referred to as “The Most Dangerous Woman in the World,” “Queen of Lightning” and “Lady Ali.”

Overseas she has defeated 25 of her 36 opponents by first round knockout. Her record of 36-0 has made her an international superstar and her speed and strength has impressed worldwide audiences. She is a woman of steel will, intellect and empowered femininity, which makes her a role model to many. She represents the face of new opportunity for women.

Born in Amsterdam, Holland, Rijker began training in Judo at the age of six. At seven, she became a member of the Dutch National Softball Team. At thirteen, she began fencing and went on to become the Netherlands Junior Champion. Rijker then began Kickboxing at the gym of Johan Vas, one of the most respected training facilities in Holland.

She primarily trained with male Kickboxing, Boxing and Judo champions.

After establishing a 7-0 record, she defeated American Women’s World Boxing Champion Vivian Gonzales in three rounds, thus claiming notoriety for her. Her subsequent four years of fighting gained further international recognition as she fought in Japan, China and most recently after moving to the United States, a resounding victory over the American fighter Melinda “Rockin’ Robinson” in a 90 second first round knockout. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Rijker has continued her undefeated boxing streak with a first round knockout over Kelly Jacobs in Reno, Nevada on December 6, 1996.


1997-1998 Current European WIBF Boxing Champion

Lucia's Record

Ring Record-14-0
13 KO’s

March 21, 1996 Melinda Robinson CA KO 1st Round

December 6, 1996 Kelly Jacobs NV
TKO 1st Round



December 17, 1996 Szuzsanna Szuknai NTH TKO1st Round

February 4, 1997
Irma Verhoff NTH TKO 4th Round

March 22, 1997 Chevelle Hallback TX TKO 5th Round

May 14, 1997
Dora Webber CT
W UD 6th Round


Rijker decided to go back to Holland for the holidays and test her skills, where she defeated Susanna Szuknai of Hungary in a first round TKO on December 17, 1996. In 1997 she captured the WIBF European Championship from Irma Verhoef of Holland with a fourth round TKO on February 4, 1997.

Confident in her abilities, Rijker was now hungry for a championship title in the United States. On a March 22, 1997 pay-per-view event, Rijker demonstrated her boxing talents by knocking out Chevelle Hallback in the fifth round.

On May 14, 1997, Rijker fought Dora Webber and won a sixth-round decision. In the last half of 1997, Rijker has done away with Gwen Smith, Andrea Deshong and Jeannette Witte, all by way of knockout. Still undefeated, Rijker has demonstrated her superior skills and abilities; and she has been the subject of recent television specials by ABC’s Wide World of Sports and HBO’s Boxing Series.
One of her latest feats was accomplished when she knocked out Mary Ann Almager on the FOX Network boxing special hosted by Oscar de la Hoya on March 23rd. On September 25th at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut Lucia handily defeated Marcela Acuna, for the WIBO Title, in 5 rounds to bring her record to 12-0, 11 wins by way of knockout. Lucia’s latest fight was on April 18, 1999 televised on FoxSports vs. Britt VanBuskirk. Rijker won by TKO in the third round. She fought Diane Dutra, defeating her in Vegas, she is now undefeated at 14-0.

Career Record
from http://boxing.about.com
--------------

Lucia Rijker Career Record

16 Wins, 0 Loss, 14 Knockouts

2003
06-21 -- Jane Couch, Los Angeles, CA, W 8

2002
02-16 -- Shakurah Witherspoon, Uncasville, CT, W TKO 4

1999
08-28 -- Diane Mary Dutra, Las Vegas, NV, W TKO 3
04-18 -- Britt Van Buskirk, Miami, FL, W TKO 3

1998
09-26 -- Marcela Acuña, Uncasville, CT, W TKO 5
06-25 -- Lisa Ested, Ledyard, CT, W KO 4
03-23 -- Mary Ann Almager, Ledyard, CT, W TKO 1

1997
11-20 -- Jeanette Witte, Los Angeles, CA, W TKO 3
09-13 -- Andrea DeShong, Las Vegas, NV, W TKO 3
06-14 -- Gwen Smith, Biloxi, MS, W TKO 4
05-14 -- Dora Webber, Ledyard, CT, W 6
03-22 -- Chevelle Hallback, Corpus Christi, TX, W TKO 5
02-04 -- Irma Verhoef, Rotterdam, Netherlands, W TKO 4

1996
12-17 -- Zsuzsanna Szuknai, Rotterdam, Netherlands, W TKO 1
12-06 -- Kelly Jacobs, Reno, NV, W TKO 1
03-21 -- Melinda Robinson, Los Angeles, CA, W KO 1

Rijker also won four world titles and compiled a record of 36-0 with 25 first round knockouts as a kickboxer.

Lucia Rijker - Date of Birth: December 6, 1967

Add to that list her fight in 2004 against Sunshine Fettkether.

Sunshine Fettkether is another Muay Thai fighter who went to Boxing to find fights. She put up a good fight against Lucia Rijker, but did lose the match.

Here is an interview with Lucia Rijker after her fight with Sunshine Fettkether, May 2004

http://www.womenboxing.com/news052604rijker.htm

A VERY indepth Biography of Lucia Rijker
http://www.wban.org/biog/lrijker.htm

A documentary movie on Women's boxing starring Lucia Rijker.



Purchase the DVD from Amazon.com

I've seen this documentary. It is very good. The beginning half of the documentary is a little disappointing as it covers some female boxers who have taken a few too many punches and don't have much of anything inspirational to say. Then when Rijker shows up on the screen, her presence is very commanding. She is a very deep person. It is a very enlightening film.

I realize Rijker has now been a boxer for a long time, but she is very inspirational to many female fighters. Thus, I thought it would be good to have a tribute thread for her to start off the new Women's forum here on Ax.

If you have anything else to add...post it.

She was a marvelous kickboxer in her day, and very good boxer, who unfortunatley has now allowed the business end of pro boxing to steer her down a path of picking and choosing her opponents very carefully. she is not the same fighter who once would fight anyone, anywhere, anytime.

She appears to be under the illusion that if she can avoid any losses, that she will eventually get a huge six figure contract to fight Christy Martin, her old nemesis. Unfortunatley, both rijker and martin badly overplayed their hand, demaniodng outlsandish pursed to fight-and hance let pass what would have been a great fight
four years ago..

But now Martin;'s best days are way behind her and so are rijker's.
, and this fight cannot generate anywhere near the revenues necessary to pay the kind the purse that Lucia wants. So the fight t is very unlikely to happen for a number of reasons. she may have the potential for a small career in the movies.

Rijker could have really beenma help to the comeback of womens KB had she stayed with our sport. But she turned to boxing in search of more money and never found it. She didnt leave KB for lack of oppoents, as sunshine did..

there is no money in either sport, so why not stay wih the sport you best at? Suffice it to say I consider her a great dsiappointment to womens Kickboxing, and no longer much of an asset for womens boxing either.

The title of her documentary "Shadow Boxintg" is actually a great metaphor for the last three years of her boxing career-as that is pretty close to what she has been doing.
maybe two good opponetns (Fetkether and jane couch) in the last three or four years.

Lucia is avoiding the best female fighter in womens boxing today. (Sumya Anani)

Frankly I would prefer to see more focus on the great and deserving women kickboxers, active today. jmo


dan

My point with this thread is to highlight a fighter who has given a lot of inspiration to various women fighters over the years. She was an inspiration and a great fighter regardless of how her career has panned out in the last few years. I, too, and disappointed that she never fought Christy Martin. I have a feeling that there is more to the story that any of us know. Such is life. jmo.

Lucia worked as a judge for a Dutch TV program called "Fightmaster" last summer.
Here backstage with some of the fighters.
(Photos courtesy of "Sensei Rocket" of www.fighttalk.nl :))

"Sensei Rocket" & Lucia...

I think Lucia is the perfect example of difference in view to a fighter and her carreer between in this case Europe & the US.

Over here Lucia still is Mrs. Kickboxing, and the absolute nr.1 Even though not doing a KB/MT-fight in years, 9 out of 10 people will answer her name when asked "Just name a female MT/KB-fighter". She still is the example for lots of upcoming new fighters. Getting her on the "It's Showtime" card sold lots of extra tickets last year. She still is a big hit here. Nikko Sports Video even re-released her "Most dangerous woman on earth" again on DVD recently.

She really is one of our best fighters ever and I wish her well in her new carreer on TV and in movies.

She can also be seen in the movie "Million Dollar Baby" from Clint Eastwood. She plays the European champion and is a dirty boxer.

Anywhere to get posters of Lucia? We need some posters of female kickboxer in our gym. She'd be a great addition.

Here is the agent for Lucia Rijker, listed on the www.imdb.com site
He would know how to get in touch with her.

----------


Agent for
Lucia Rijker

Agent
Talent Agent
Harlan Werner
Sports Placement Service
phone: 323-938-6444
fax: 323-938-6677
email: reqeust@sportsplacement.com
address: 5458 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angleles, CA, 90036, USA

I mean, you'd probably have to contact her directly to get a poster. Maybe you'd get a signed one :)

I think Lucia Rijker is the best female fighter ever. She has inspired me too.

[img]http://www.womenboxing.com/images/LUC1%20med.jpg[/img]

I was also lookin for a poster of Lucia Rijker. (hard to find!) And I found one @ www.shadowboxers.com.

lets see if this works..

lets see if this works..


uno mas...

lets see if this works..


uno mas...

The official website: http://www.luciarijker.net/index1.htm

Dan I think your comments are overly harsh on a great champion of both sports -As to wether a fighter in the twilight of their career should demand good money as a marque name, well thats a matter of conjecture, but at the end of the day it is a professional sport and you can't live on oxygen. Thats not discounting the need for realism in purse expectation but - sometuimes you need to push the envelope if you are a minorioty (in a Woman fighter)

Rijker has more than paid her dues in both sports. I have seen the best in the world in both as have many people on this forum. I've seen none better than Rijker in cluding Sumya Anani! (alhtouhg it would be a hell of a fight)

Rijker is a pioneer and a justifiable hall of famer in both sports no question.

Perfect Mr. Angrove. agree totally! She has inspired many fighters in the country, both men and women. Her tape Lucia Rijker'the most dangerous woman on earth is an inspiration to female fighters.

Dan, the attitude you display in your last post is one that all of us fighters should be afraid of since we are all getting older. I'm sad that someone in your position feels that way about Rijker. Because if you feel like that about her, there will be a time that you will feel like that about Sumya Anani also...and any other talent that has gotten older.

You write:"She was a marvelous kickboxer in her day, and very good boxer, who unfortunatley has now allowed the business end of pro boxing to steer her down a path of picking and choosing her opponents very carefully. she is not the same fighter who once would fight anyone, anywhere, anytime."

Dan, that's called wisdom. She has realized that in order to make it big money wise she has to play a carefull game of chess. If her fighting anyone, anywhere, anytime has only gotten her opinions like yours: "Suffice it to say I consider her a great dsiappointment to womens Kickboxing, and no longer much of an asset for womens boxing either" and "Frankly I would prefer to see more focus on the great and deserving women kickboxers, active today.", then she better pick and chooses her fights for a big paycheck because I guess in the eyes of the people that share your opinion it'll never be enough and paying your dues doesn't mean squad...

can i add ?? how stupid people are to think that fighting is all about honour and fighting the best????? are u stupid to believe tha guys an girls enjoy barely being able to walk for days after a win let alone a loss ??? . george foreman once said " being world champion was about making as much money as you can in the short time you are a champion beofore you lose "its not about honour u idot its about feeding your family an paying your bills an you know what lucia earned the right to pick an choose her opponents ,to ask for more money not to entertain you but because she fought an bled for in around teh world in the last 15 yrs ...what have u done ??

Not to start anything but I stopped being a fan of Lucia's after she showed me and the rest of the world that she wanted a big pay day. She still chooses her fights very carefully and like dan said is more concerned with not losing a fight ever. She was more daring and explosive in KB/MT when she moved to boxing she became cautious and money hungry. Which I guess its ok but don't expect die hard fans to love you for it. In any case, I take nothing away from her and I'm sure she inspired a lot of women but if a female is going to be inspired pick a true fighter who lays it all on the line someone like Anne Wolfe or someone like Naoko Kumagai both these ladies have the hearts of lioness and will ALWAYS have a special place in the hearts of die hard contact sports zealots like me.

Great post Brian, Lucia Ryker is my favourite woman fighter of all time had the honor and pleasure meeting her in Holland in 1989 when I travelled through Europe and trained at Chakuriki she comes from the famous Vos gym where Ernesto Hoost and Hypolite come from I was inspired by her acheivements and how attractive she looked for a female fighter (which there seemed to be alot of beautiful woman fighters in Holland at that time) then to see her in star in Million Dollar Baby, I also read on the website for BoxRec that she will be fighting Christie ......from USA they both will receive $250,000 each and the winner will receive and extra $750,000 which will be the highest paid fight for females $1 millon dollars this fight will be in Las Vegas in July.. would love to go there to see that fight just might be on my agenda for this year.
Defintely a fight to see..
My number one woman fighter with out a doubt in the past two decades I do not know how old she is but she must be getting on now.
There is know other female fighter I know has achieved what she has done in the sport....
Regards
Lucy Tui

Mike-perhaps you are right. I wondered about that myself. I really dont like being harsh towards anyone.

But, basically, thats how I honestly see the LR of today. I probably need to work a lot harder in the future to soften the way I express what I think is essentially a fair criticism.

I could submit a lot more (factually) to support what I already wrote. But why gratuitously pile on additional factoids? Esp, since most people have already made an irrevocable, and for many, an also very emotional decision on this subject. So, I am happy to leave it there. Unless others want to continue. Actually, it was Brians thread. :)

Stefan, I am sorry if you or others were offended. Perhaps it could have been stated more tactfully...But, in the end, I guess we would still just have to agree to disagree about LR's recent boxing career-which I won't belabor.
I will say her proposed fight with Michael Carbajal (in fact, that whole very undignified episode) really left a very sour taste in my mouth.

But, for what its worth, we will be including Rijker in the womens kickboxing hall of fame. So rest assured her contributions will not go unrecognized or appreciated there. (or probably anywhere else either)
But, reallly, the whole record and the whole story should be told when discussing and esp whne documenting any public figure. Fairness and balance demands that the good, the bad, and the mediocre all be included. So far we have really heard almost exclusively the best. But, maybe thats human nature to want heroes to always remain bigger than life.

Nothwithstanding, I wrote what I consider to be valid criticism based on facts, and records. I dont know her personally-which is probably good no doubt it would be much harder to discuss some of the things I have, were that the case.


KAH Stallion- quite ironically, you are the only one who mentioned the word "honor" in this thread-so, if using that term (honor) warrants calling someone an idiot; go ahead-but when you do, please try and remember just who it was who was bloviating about the word "Honor". :)


Hope you get to go and enjoy the fight Lucy,


dan

Lucia Rijker thread

Wowwwwwwwww shes a babe anymore pics of the sister?

dan I wouldn't mind being better informed on the subject so if you can find the time to email me the facts, I would very much appreciate it. I think you and I see eye to eye on this issue and as such I would love to read what you have to say and therefore compare it to my own notes or facts. Thanks again and take care. And to all the Lucia fans, know that I don't hate her I'm just a little disappointed with her. Kind of like most red Sox fans used to feel until last year. :)

Be Easy!

Hi Dan, Cheers - regarding the Micheal Carbajal issue - perhaps you could email me more info off line on that - Lucia fought a man back in the 90's - Adam Somchai, a power hitting lefthanded Thai and got stopped in the second with a left hook ... so I'd be interested in finding out more. email is mma_consulting@fastmail.fm

Cheers

Her tape Lucia Rijker 'The most dangerous woman on earth` is the one of the reasons that I continiue to encourage women to do our sport.

Even though we are from different planets (Venus and Mars) I persevere with the differences in the way we think and the way that we eventually get to our eventual goals (and I cheat a lot by having Hayley, who is a great female coach to help me)

So Lucia.... Thanx

To Mike A. and Pustulio- Ill try to get something together to send to both of you. Please be patient I type one finger at time, and I want to get the dates fairly accurate, etc.


In the meantine, alonmg the libes of what we have been disucsing, Heres an interesting article on Sumya Anani's upcoming interview on DATELINE where she makes one final appeal to get LR to accept her challenge. Its very worthwhile reading. hope you enjoy.

This Sunday, on April 24, Sumya "The Island Girl" Anani will be featured on Dateline NBC with Stone Phillips. Check your local listing for the time that this will be shown.

Anani wrote the following:

As many of you may not know, I've had a lot of unsolicited press from the Million Dollar Baby movie. Stone Phillips came out to my house to interview me, and Paula Zahn from CNN is coming next week. I guess a fighter, I fought in the beginning of my career, Katie Dallam, might be the inspiration for the character Maggie in the Million Dollar Baby. (NY Times...3/9/05)
Katie and I fought in December 1996. I had only been boxing for a few months. She outweighed me by 37 pounds, and she had gotten involved in a bad car wreck the night before the fight. Neither Katie nor her trainer reported the car wreck to the ringside doctors. The choice she made to fight anyway proved almost fatal.

She fainted after the fight. She was rushed to the hospital. Her brain had massive swelling from a ruptured vein, and her skull had to be removed. I'm telling you this to prepare you for the pictures you might see. And to tell you that this story is not really about me per say...it will probably focus on Katie's recovery in the past 8 years. She has been through a lot.
There is some irony to this story, though I don't know how much of it will be aired on Dateline. As you all know, Lucia Rijker is in the movie Million Dollar Baby. I've been challenging Lucia publicly and privately for two years Well, since the movie's release has hit so big and won all these awards, Rijker has signed for the first million dollar payday in women's boxing history. She will fight Christy Martin, who I already beat back in 1998. Christy never would rematch me.

In my last public challenge to Lucia Rijker in the summer of 2004, I offered to fight Rijker for expenses only and donate my entire purse to charity. The charity I was going to donate the money to is Katie Dallam. I've always hoped to make money in boxing to help Katie financially.

I want to donate the money to her out of a sense of compassion. For many years, I was mad with them...How could they (her trainer and her) have made the choice to fight after being in a car wreck? Her trainer was in the car and sustained a serious bleeding head injury that required emergency care. Katie had no visible injury, but I've talked with many doctors. They tell me that she most likely suffered a subdural hematoma. What happens is the brain continues to move forward in the head on impact and actually bounces back and forth off the front/back or side to side of the skull. The injury remains hidden, but that is how many cases of 'brain bleed' start. Then, it didn't help matters to get hit in the head in a boxing match the next day.

I still can't believe the choice they made to fight. First of all, the life threatening and life changing position Katie was in. Second, the position they put me in...or any fighter for that matter. I believe that no matter who she fought that night, the results would have been the same. Boxing is not ping pong, and it's not swimming.

Of course, I don't know how much of the story will be aired on Dateline. Many news pieces sensationalize the story by downplaying the seriousness of the accident because she suffered no external injury. Sometimes they don't even say that she was even in an accident. Sometimes the stories make me into this great fighter and Katie was an innocent victim thrown in to the tiger. This is so far from the truth. I had only 3 fights, a few months of training, and no previous combative experience of any kind. Katie ran marathons, had been in the Armed Forces, and had been a kick-boxer. She was no stranger to the ring and no stranger to serious competition.

Anyway, just wanted to tell you a little about it, because they only have so much air time to fill.

Lucia has been chasing after fighters like Martin for years. She now is getting closer to the end of her fighting career. Million Dollar Baby put her on the map with non boxing fans now. This was all by her own hard work and merrit. Lucia fought for all she has accomplished. Being challanged by a girl like Anani for the last two years is very ironic. Maybe Anani will be in Lucia's shoes sometime when she makes it big. Of course it's good for Anani's career if she gets to fight Lucia who is the biggest name for her right now. Win or lose, it's a win win for Anani. The same reason people wanted to fight Tyson back in the day to get one (more) big paycheck...

It is an interesting article from Anani - alhtough it does have a fair degree of self interest and some contradicions by and large it is a very compassionate piece.

However - as for Lucia having to accept the challenge when she can get a million dollar payday for fighting Martin, come on why would you? To be honest the blame lies not with the fighters but the sanctioning bodies for not putting the fight together.

At the end of the day professional fighting is about earning money - you put your put on the line year after year, fight after fight and only a few get a glimmer of earning a decent pay day. Pro Boxing is a business, take the money honey you've earned it.

As regards avoiding a particualr fighter, if its going to jepordise a million dollar purse I would too. Look at history, Rolling out Old Jack Johnson vs Tunney (I think), Ali denied Holmes his chance for quite a few years, Lennox Lewis had to bide his time, do you see Jab and Grab Ruiz giving Tua a shot at his title anytime soon? Sugar Ray vs Hagler, Sugar vs Hearns rematch. The sport does have a strong degree of honour but at the top end lets face it its show me the money...

Another point is if Riker breaks the million dollar barrier with Martin then she has done a service for the sport - a little like the 4 minute mile, once its been done once then a precedent has been set and Anani and other fighters will surely benefit further down the track.

Cheers Dan

I think if Lucia fights Anani and being promoted properly, it still has potentials to make a million dollar purse. However, fighting Chris Martin first (with Anani fighting at the under-card) will make her 2 million $$ or more. If she fights Anani first, win or lose there isn't much promotional angle to promote a match with Chris Martin after as she had already beaten her in 98.

I think, perhaps a little bit of patience from Anani's management would probably see her also getting a million dollar + purse, providing that Lucia doesn't retire after her match with Martin (should she wins).

meant to say that Anani already beaten Martin in 98'

Good thinking Lollo - you still the masta brain!

Mike, this will probably only work (getting big money fight) if both Anani and Lucia win by KO on live telecast at the same show, so that promoters will bid to stage the fight.

It seems to me that this thread really
needs to be on valium until this fight
either happens or is cancelled..

here's why:

Bob Arum has totally changed the nature
of what this thread would have been like a
few weeks ago. He has done that
by floating some purse figures
which are utterly unprecedeneted
for either womens boxing or kickboxing.
I can't and won't predict whether this fights
ever takes place or not. (i hope it does)

But, I do know that for this fight to succeesd
financially, there absolutley M.U.S.T. be
a very high profile mens fight in
to bring in the PPV and ticket sales.
===========================================================================


Stefan wrote:

Lucia has been chasing after fighters like Martin for years.


===============================================================================partially true, but mostly not true. Its certainly true she has chased martin for
years; but, its equally ture that Lucia has also consistently ducked all the rest of the Women in Martin's skill range. In fact, she announced in 1999, (after Martin seemed to flatly role thei fight out), that she was going to fight a man. (Michael Carbajal) becasue, she alleged, "no women would fight her".

Now, That was a preposterous prevarication to put it kindly. She broke three contracts with denise Moraetes ( I actually one of the contracts myself, that Denise's husband, Tom Moraetes (who also trained Vernon Forrest)shwed me. She was also challenged by another world champion, Kathy Collins, Britains' jane Couch undeated Fredia Gibbs, and also marischa Sjaumw another Dutch Surinam world champion.

BTW, This coed fight PR spectacle with michael carbajal caused a lot of resentment among other women fighters as mainstream boxing writers begin to ridicule and mock womens boxing as a burlesque-partially because of this coed fight publicity stunt.

Just a 18 months or so ago, Rijker's manager called Marshell Davis, my friend Trisha Hill's manager at the time literally begging for a fight. Trisha was 8 pounds lighter, meanwhile Lucia was still routinely refusing the top names in her weight class. She either wanted martin or someone much smaller and less expereinced.
==============================================================================

She now is getting closer to the end of her fighting career.

=============================================================================
true _
===============================================================================
Million Dollar Baby put her on the map with non boxing fans now.
===============================================================================I respectfully disagree. Even most boxing fans still dont know who she is. (womens boxing fans are another story) But, fans of womens boxing and kickboxing they knew her long before the movie,and we can see there are not nearly enough of them to support the kind of purses LR wants.

btw, How many actors or actresses who played villains in academy award winnig movies do any of you remember by name? very few, I wager. Lucia Rijker is
still not a household name despite MBB. thats unfortunate for her but neverthless it is true.
===============================================================================

This was all by her own hard work and merrit. Lucia fought for all she has accomplished.

===============================================================================Yes, indeed; absolutely!!!whatever she has accomplished was by her hard work, and she's a very gifted lady.None can take that from her-nor should they want to.
=============================================================================


Being challanged by a girl like Anani for the last two years is very ironic.

===============================================================================
Stefan, could you please explain what exactly you mean by the phrase "a girl like Anani " ???
===============================================================================

Maybe Anani will be in Lucia's shoes sometime when she makes it big.

=============================================================================
She already has a betr boxing record and is rated higher in the womens boxing computer rankings. she has fought much better opposition consistently and has more total boxing experience than rijker. so, imho, skill wise, she has bigger *shoes* than LR. As a kickboxer,, Lucia has a amazing recoird. And her Boxing record also quite good-bit ut certainly is not peerless as some here suggest.

as for the rest of your comment alluding to Lucia "making it big"
i can only suggest we wait and see if Lucia actually makes the million dollar purse. Now, that may well happen, and I hope so, for her sake. she worked hard and if she gets it, good for her. But, I can say to a near certainly that it wont raise purses for other women fighters.

For example, Laila Ali's big 6 figure purses haven't raised the purses of other women over the 200 dollars per round standard. And Laila Ai is a far bigger celeb-name than LR. MDB notwithstanding. Go to your local sports bar and do your own name recogntion poll ir f you doubt that.

so no, Lucia will not raise purses for other fighters substantially-maybe not at all. Laila Ali certainly hasnt and she is much better know than Rijker.
===============================================================================

Of course it's good for Anani's career if she gets to fight Lucia who is the biggest name for her right now.

===============================================================================
Ironically, Its good for her career-if she loses to Riker. Because if she should lose, Then people may not be as afraid to fight her as they are right now. Sumya can not get a fight today-even with rijker. LOL!

BTW, None of rijker's opponents have made money fighting her-and neither has rijker. so how in the world does this fight help anani financially?????
Answer: It doesnt. It only helps her as a fighter to build her skills, gain valuable ring experience, and a chance to achieve personal satisfaction as a fighter-but not financially. For goodnees sakes shes offering to fight rijker for free with her purse (whatever it would be) going to the katie dallam fund. So no, Sumya fights for the love of the game. She marches to a different drum. I know her. With respect, I dont think you do.
===============================================================================

Win or lose, it's a win win for Anani. The same reason people wanted to fight Tyson back in the day to get one (more) big paycheck

===============================================================================
No. See above. Guys wanted to fight Tyson because they knew he drew big bucks and paid his opponents well. That's never been true for Rijker's opponents.or christy martin's opponents either.

And that is true Because the average boxing fan knows little
or nothing about Christy Martin and even less about Lucia Rijker.

So Bob Arum faces this problem: He has to pay
the high profile men fighters a premium. Then,
how is he gonna pay another
premium to 2 women fighters who could never justify
their purse, (In the market place)
on their own.

Its quite possible that this big money annoucement
is simply a trial balloon floated by Bob Arum to see if
there is enough public enthusiam among PAYING
boxing fans, to justify paying
these two women that kind of money-when neither
has made made over 15 k in their lives.
Keep in mind Christy martin and Mia St
John sold 500 tickets for their fight in the
pontiac dome-a collossal flop and $$$ disaster
for the promoter-who has not paid either
Mia or martin their agreed upon purse.

Why did he stiff them? they were a flop at the gate
and he doesnt have the $$$ He's being sued.
But they May as well sue a homeless man. he hasnt got the money.

Its was a huge miscalulation by the promoter.
And, I guarantee you Bob Arum wont make that mistake.
Thats why I believe this huge unprecedeeted
purse is a trial balloon. It may indeed spark enormous
interest and give reasonable expectations to Mr Arum
that he will make enough to justify the unheard of women's purse
being bandied about in the media.

However....The martin/rijker fight scheduled for May has already
been postponed to an indefinite tentative
date in July. That is not a great sign...
I am not saying it won't still happen, because Arum clearly
has the $$$ to pay them and he publically states that he will.
So, who can anyone dispute that?

But...he is no fool, and you got wonder how he can afford to pay that,
when he needs to fork out at least that much
for a mens bouts to draw the gate receipts.

It doesnt make sense, or dollars and cents.(at least not to me)


we shall see.


dan

Your right Dan, it's got to involve high profile men in order to view by great numbers of fans (it's unfortunately but this is fact). People's attitude still rate women fights as girly. That is why I mentioned that if KO involve, it may perhaps change people's attitude toward women boxing. It's the same reason why people wanted to see Tyson fights. They expect to see people KOed. KO sells. "Art and skill second."

Well Dan you have done your homework on that fight..do you think that Bob Arum may have a sponsor for that fight if it is to happen??? so as he does not lose any money, but like you said he will need a good Mens fight plus good undercard for it to be attractive to the public...
Regards
Lucy Tui

Hi Lucy!! Are you coming with Alex for Pete's fight? I hope you do so we can catch up.

..do you think that Bob Arum may have a sponsor for
that fight if it is to happen???


===Yes, Lucy, I am sure he needs and is probably seeking sponsors now.
plus, he will need some tv money, and a high profile men's main event.
If he can get all three of those ingredients
in sufficent quantity, then maybe
it will become a reality.

I sure hope so. It would be nice to see women fighters
making some big money, getting good tv time,
and establishing some perceived value.

And even though it wont trickle down to other women, it will set
a precednt as Mike says, and in the future, promters will
be a bit less hestitant to pay to get a high profile
womens fight on their show-seeing as there will be a
precedent for it.

You are right about the KO's Lollo. Fans love it! just like
baseball fans love the homerun. BTW, Thats another reason
we at WIKBA require three minute rounds for womens world
title fights.

Those shortened two minute rounds simply make Kos hard to come by.
its that final minute that separates the men from the boys and the
girls from the women. Plus it represents equal pay for
equal work-which will bring equal respect for women eventually.


dan

Dan...don't expect Bob Arum to tell you how much money he's getting from sponsorship and TV coverage..he!he!he!

Wow Dan, that's one heck of a long post :-) As you said before, we just have to agree to disagree on some points...

I meant with "a girl like Anani", that she is a great gifted boxer, being avoided by all, trying to reach the ultimate in her sport. That's how I see Riker also, so that's why I thought it ironic.

Would you say we only disagree on Riker's chessgame...You think it's bad for the sport, I think it's wise for her and care much less about what's good or bad about the sport?

Today there is a 1 page interview in " de Telegraaf" (the leading Dutch newspaper). Too much to translate, but it is very nice and rather unique since not often Dutch newspapers do these interviews with boxers.

Lucia Rijker vs Lily Rodriquez (15 January 1984)

Lucia Rijker vs Lily Rodriquez (15 January 1984)

Lucia Rijker,2 months before she fought,Lily Rodriquez,she was on this picture only 15 years old.

Is she the woman from Million dollar baby who was the bas ass chick ?

I dont know if any 1 can recall but she fought a Thai based in NZ called Adam Somchai and he was one of the top 3 light weights in NZ at the time.I also fought him and he was very good,however she lost non the less she is still one of the best fighters in the world and is a legend.

I dont know if any 1 can recall but she fought a Thai based in NZ called Adam Somchai and he was one of the top 3 light weights in NZ at the time.I also fought him and he was very good,however she lost non the less she is still one of the best fighters in the world and is a legend.

Lucia is the best out there no doudt, shes inspired me to be a boxer, so for almost the past year ive been boxing with all my heart. And now i know the feeling when you say you get the highness in the ring its so adicting i cant let it go for nothing. I wonder if lucia has any children? or when will she start coaching people? I would love to be trained by her shes the best out there and you cant get any better than her for a fact.

not so much a definite impossible to beat fact.....its a good possibility...but im sure over the years there will be progression in the world of women fighters and not a decrease in the skill and level of women fighters....im sure someone will come along soon and prove that it is possible to be greatER than the greatEST

TaShDaFlAsH

De documentary Shadow Boxers can be viewed here:
http://video.google.nl/videoplay?docid=3457931430413067083&hl=nl

Info about de docu here: http://www.shadowboxers.com/index2.html

Lucia Rijker vs. Jane Couch here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1i4bIc6NjA