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{{short description|American boxer and basketball player}}
{{Infobox boxer
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
|image= <!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people - see [[WP:NONFREE]] -->
{{infobox person
|name=Vonda Ward
| name = Vonda Ward
|imagesize=
| image = <!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people - see [[WP:NONFREE]] -->
| imagesize =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 7
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|3|16}}
| birth_place = [[Macedonia, Ohio]], U.S.
| module = {{Infobox boxer
| embed = yes
|realname=Vonda Ward
|realname=Vonda Ward
|nickname=All-American Girl
|nickname=All-American Girl
|weight=[[Heavyweight]]
|weight=[[Heavyweight]]
|height=6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
|reach=
|reach=
|nationality=[[United States|American]]
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1973|3|16}}
|birth_place=[[Macedonia, Ohio]], United States
|style=[[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
|style=[[Orthodox stance|Orthodox]]
|total=24
|total=24
|wins=23
|wins=23
|losses=1
|losses=1
|draws=
|no contests=
|KO=17
|KO=17
}}
}}
| module2 = {{Infobox basketball biography
{{MedalTableTop}}
| embed = yes
| high_school = [[Trinity High School (Garfield Heights, Ohio)|Trinity High School]]<br>([[Garfield Heights, Ohio|Garfield Heights]])
| college = [[Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball|Tennessee]] (1991–1995)
| career_position = [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| years1 = 1996–1997 | team1 = [[Colorado Xplosion]]
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport|Women's [[basketball]]}}
{{MedalCountry | {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCountry | {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team|Jones Cup]]| Team Competition}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team|Jones Cup]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team|1993 Jones Cup Taipei, Taiwan]]| Team Competition}}
{{MedalBronze|[[USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team|1993 Jones Cup Taipei, Taiwan]]| [[United States women's national basketball team|Team]]}}
}}
{{MedalBottom}}
}}
'''Vonda Ward''' (born March 16, 1973, [[Macedonia, Ohio]], United States) is an American [[List of female boxers|female boxer]] who was also a well known [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[basketball]] player.
'''Vonda Ward''' (born March 16, 1973) is an American former [[professional boxer]] and [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[basketball]] player. As a boxer, she competed from 2000 to 2008 and held multiple [[heavyweight]] world championships, including the [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] title in 2007. She also challenged [[Ann Wolfe]] for the [[Women's International Boxing Association|WIBA]] and IBA female [[light heavyweight]] titles in 2004, in which she suffered her only defeat, losing by [[knockout]] in the first round.


==Early life and basketball career==
==Early life and basketball career==
Ward grew up in a [[sport]]s-oriented family; her father, Larry Ward, is a famous [[Harness racing|harness racer]].
Ward grew up in a [[sport]]s-oriented family; her father, Larry Ward, is a famous [[Harness racing|harness racer]].


Ward played basketball at [[Trinity High School (Garfield Heights, Ohio)|Trinity High School]] in [[Garfield Heights, Ohio|Garfield Heights]] and was twice named Ohio's "Ms. Basketball."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ohiobkcoaches.com/Awards/Ms_Basketball.html|title=OHSBC MS. BASKETBALL|accessdate=2009-06-21|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207042212/http://ohiobkcoaches.com/Awards/Ms_Basketball.html|archivedate=2009-02-07|df=}}</ref> She made "Parade All American" teams twice. She was recruited by Division I universities across the [[United States]].
Ward played basketball at [[Trinity High School (Garfield Heights, Ohio)|Trinity High School]] in [[Garfield Heights, Ohio|Garfield Heights]] and was twice named Ohio's "Ms. Basketball."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ohiobkcoaches.com/Awards/Ms_Basketball.html|title=OHSBC MS. BASKETBALL|access-date=June 21, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207042212/http://ohiobkcoaches.com/Awards/Ms_Basketball.html|archive-date=February 7, 2009}}</ref> She made "Parade All American" teams twice. She was recruited by Division I universities across the [[United States]].


In 1991, Ward accepted a basketball scholarship at the [[University of Tennessee]]. While a member of [[Pat Summitt]]'s Lady Vols, Ward played in one NCAA basketball championship game (1995) during her college career at Tennessee, losing to the University of Connecticut. She competed with [[USA Basketball]] as a member of the 1993 [[United States women's national basketball team#William Jones Cup|Jones Cup Team]] that won the Bronze in [[Taipei]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.usab.com/womens/wjcup_1993.html|title=1993 WOMEN'S R. WILLIAM JONES CUP|accessdate=3 August 2014}}</ref> After her college career ended in 1995, Ward played for a professional basketball club in [[Germany]]. She later played for the [[American Basketball League (1996-1998)|American Basketball League]]'s [[Colorado Xplosion]].
In 1991, Ward accepted a basketball scholarship at the [[University of Tennessee]]. While a member of [[Pat Summitt]]'s Lady Vols, Ward played in one NCAA basketball championship game (1995) during her college career at Tennessee, losing to the University of Connecticut. She competed with [[USA Basketball]] as a member of the 1993 [[United States women's national basketball team#William Jones Cup|Jones Cup Team]] that won the Bronze in [[Taipei]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.usab.com/womens/wjcup_1993.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808043647/http://archive.usab.com/womens/wjcup_1993.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2014|title=1993 WOMEN'S R. WILLIAM JONES CUP|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref> After her college career ended in 1995, Ward played for a professional basketball club in [[Germany]]. She later played for the [[American Basketball League (1996-1998)|American Basketball League]]'s [[Colorado Xplosion]]. In 2012, she was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame : Hall of Fame : Inductees : 2012 : Vonda Ward |url=https://ohiobasketballhalloffame.com/hall-of-fame/inductees/2012/vonda-ward.html |website=ohiobasketballhalloffame.com |access-date=25 September 2020}}</ref>


==Boxing career==
==Boxing career==
After a broken leg cut her professional basketball career short, Ward turned her attention to [[boxing]].
After a broken leg cut her professional basketball career short, Ward turned her attention to [[boxing]].


Ward's [[boxing]] debut occurred on January 15, 2000, when she [[knockout|knocked out]] Faye Steffen in round one at [[LaPorte, Indiana]]. Her first four fights all ended in first round knockout wins for Ward. On April 27, 2000, she met Genevia Buckwalter in [[New York, New York|New York]]. Buckwalter became the first fighter to make it out of the first round against Ward, but Ward still won on a second round knockout. Ward's next five rivals did not make it past the second round, with two first round knockouts and three second round wins. At this point of her career, she had a streak of twelve knockout wins in a row.
Ward's [[boxing]] debut occurred on January 15, 2000, when she [[knockout|knocked out]] Faye Steffen in round one at [[LaPorte, Indiana]]. Her first four fights all ended in first-round knockout wins for Ward. On April 27, 2000, she met Genevia Buckwalter in [[New York, New York|New York]]. Buckwalter became the first fighter to make it out of the first round against Ward, but Ward still won on a second-round knockout. Ward's next five rivals did not make it past the second round, with two first-round knockouts and three second round wins. At this point of her career, she had a streak of twelve knockout wins in a row.


On February 2, 2001, she met prospect [[Kisha Snow]] as part of the state fair celebrations in [[Columbus, Ohio]]. Snow came into the fight undefeated after six bouts, and she and Ward engaged in a four round war, but Ward made Snow her thirteenth straight knockout victim one minute into the fourth and final round. Ward then face Carley Pesente, on June 16, at [[Kansas City, Missouri]]. Pesente lasted two rounds.
On February 2, 2001, she met prospect [[Kisha Snow]] as part of the state fair celebrations in [[Columbus, Ohio]]. Snow came into the fight undefeated after six bouts, and she and Ward engaged in a four-round war, but Ward made Snow her thirteenth straight knockout victim one minute into the fourth and final round. Ward then face Carley Pesente, on June 16, at [[Kansas City, Missouri]]. Pesente lasted two rounds.


After one more win, Ward challenged for the [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|IBA]]'s world's heavyweight title on August 16, 2002. Ward became the champion, but saw her knockout win streak gone as Monica McGowan lasted ten rounds at [[Canton, Ohio]].
After one more win, Ward challenged for the IBA's world's heavyweight title on August 16, 2002. Ward became the champion, but saw her knockout win streak gone as Monica McGowan lasted ten rounds at [[Canton, Ohio]].


Ward defended her title successfully with an eighth round knockout of Kathy Rivers on December 6 at the [[Gund Arena]] in [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]]. On March 1, 2003, she and [[Martha Salazar]] made their [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] debut, with Ward taking a four round split decision win in a non-title bout.
Ward defended her title successfully with an eighth-round knockout of Kathy Rivers on December 6 at the [[Gund Arena]] in [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]]. On March 1, 2003, she and [[Martha Salazar]] made their [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] debut, with Ward taking a four-round split decision win in a non-title bout.


After one more win, Ward unified her IBA world Heavyweight title with the WIBA's by defeating Salazar in a rematch, held on July 11 in Canton. Ward won by decision.
After one more win, Ward unified her IBA world Heavyweight title with the WIBA's by defeating Salazar in a rematch, held on July 11 in Canton. Ward won by decision.


On May 8, 2004, Ward fought a nationally [[Television|televised]] championship bout with [[Ann Wolfe]] in [[Biloxi, Mississippi]]. At one minute and eight seconds of the first round, Wolfe knocked out Ward with a devastating right to the chin, which was even more devastating by the fact that Ward inadvertently jumped forward into the impact of the punch, leaving Ward unresponsive on the mat for a matter of minutes. This first-round knockout defeat caused her to lose her title and her undefeated status. Ward had a [[neck]] concussion because she hit the canvas with her neck when she fell, and she was hospitalized after this bout.<ref>{{cite web|author=Maik Grossekathöfer |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/ann-versus-the-man-boxing-s-battle-of-the-sexes-a-380971.html |title=Ann versus the Man: Boxing's Battle of the Sexes - SPIEGEL ONLINE |publisher=Spiegel.de |date=2005-10-21 |accessdate=2014-02-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/ann-wolfe-scares-the-crap-out-of-us-38672 |title=Ann Wolfe scares the crap out of us · Interview · The A.V. Club |publisher=Avclub.com |date= |accessdate=2014-02-03}}</ref>
On May 8, 2004, Ward fought a nationally [[Television|televised]] championship bout with [[Ann Wolfe]] in [[Biloxi, Mississippi]]. At one minute and one seconds of the first round, Wolfe knocked out Ward with a devastating right to the chin, which was even more devastating by the fact that Ward inadvertently jumped forward into the impact of the punch, leaving Ward unresponsive on the mat for a matter of minutes. This first-round knockout defeat caused her to lose her title and her undefeated status. Ward had a [[neck]] concussion because she hit the canvas with her neck when she fell, and she was hospitalized after this bout.<ref>{{cite web|author=Maik Grossekathöfer |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/ann-versus-the-man-boxing-s-battle-of-the-sexes-a-380971.html |title=Ann versus the Man: Boxing's Battle of the Sexes - SPIEGEL ONLINE |publisher=Spiegel.de |date=October 21, 2005 |access-date=February 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/ann-wolfe-scares-the-crap-out-of-us-38672 |title=Ann Wolfe scares the crap out of us · Interview · The A.V. Club |publisher=Avclub.com |access-date=February 3, 2014}}</ref>


On December 12, 2004, Ward returned to the boxing ring, knocking out Marsha Valley in four rounds in Cleveland. On February 2010, Ward won the inaugural [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] female heavyweight title, defeating [[Martha Salazar]] for the third and final time by unanimous decision.
On December 12, 2004, Ward returned to the boxing ring, knocking out Marsha Valley in four rounds in Cleveland. In February 2010, Ward won the inaugural [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] female heavyweight title, defeating [[Martha Salazar]] for the third and final time by unanimous decision.


Ward announced her retirement on 2010.<ref>http://nordoniahills.news/vics-hometown-hero-vonda-ward/</ref> Her boxing record stands at 23 wins and 1 loss, with 17 wins by knockout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voices.yahoo.com/vonda-ward-womens-heavyweight-champ-retires-6674404.html?cat=14 |title=Vonda Ward, Women's Heavyweight Champ, Retires - Yahoo Voices |publisher=voices.yahoo.com |date=2004-05-08 |accessdate=2014-02-03}}</ref>
Ward announced her retirement on 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nordoniahills.news/vics-hometown-hero-vonda-ward/|title = Vic Milani's Hometown Hero – Vonda Ward &#124; Nordonia Hills News}}</ref> Her boxing record stands at 23 wins and 1 loss, with 17 wins by knockout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voices.yahoo.com/vonda-ward-womens-heavyweight-champ-retires-6674404.html?cat=14 |title=Vonda Ward, Women's Heavyweight Champ, Retires - Yahoo Voices |publisher=voices.yahoo.com |date=May 8, 2004 |access-date=February 3, 2014}}</ref>


==Professional boxing record==
==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=
|nc=
|ko-wins=17
|ko-wins=17
|ko-losses=1
|ko-losses=1
|dec-wins=6
|dec-wins=6
|dec-losses=0
|dq-wins=
|dq-losses=
}}
}}


{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
Line 75: Line 80:
!Location
!Location
!Notes
!Notes
|-
|- align=center
|24
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–1
|23–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Carlette Ewell]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Carlette Ewell]]
|{{small|UD}}
|UD
|{{small|10}}
|10
|Feb 23, 2008
|{{small|2008-02-23}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Chapparells Community Center, [[Akron, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Chapparells Community Center, [[Akron, Ohio]], U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|23
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–1
|22-1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Martha Salazar]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Martha Salazar]]
|{{small|UD}}
|UD
|{{small|10}}
|10
|Feb 10, 2007
|{{small|2007-02-10}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Wolstein Center]], [[Cleveland, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Wolstein Center]], Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WIBA and IBA female heavyweight titles;<br>Won vacant [[WBC female heavyweight title]]}}
|align=left|{{small|Won vacant [[List of WBC female world champions#Heavyweight|WBC World female Heavyweight title]]<br>Retained [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|WIBA World Heavyweight title]] and [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|IBA Female Heavyweight title]].}}
|-
|- align=center
|22
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–1
|21-1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Cassandra Giger
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Cassandra Giger
|{{small|UD}}
|UD
|{{small|10}}
|10
|Jul 15, 2005
|{{small|2005-07-15}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Gund Arena]], [[Cleveland, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Gund Arena]], Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won vacant [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|IBA Female Cruiserweight title]].}}
|align=left|{{small|Won vacant IBA female [[Cruiserweight (boxing)|cruiserweight]] title}}
|-
|- align=center
|21
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–1
|20-1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Elizabeth Kerin
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Elizabeth Kerin
|{{small|KO}}
|KO
|{{small|2 (10), 1:33}}
|2 (10), {{small|1:33}}
|Apr 29, 2005
|{{small|2005-04-29}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Wolstein Center]], [[Cleveland, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Wolstein Center]], Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WIBA and IBA female heavyweight titles}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|WIBA World Heavyweight title]] and [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|IBA Female Heavyweight title]].}}
|-
|- align=center
|20
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–1
|19–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Marsha Valley
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Marsha Valley
|{{small|TKO}}
|TKO
|{{small|4 (10), 1:47}}
|4 (10), {{small|1:47}}
|Dec 10, 2004
|{{small|2004-12-10}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Gund Arena]], [[Cleveland, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Gund Arena]], Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|19
|19
|{{no2}}Loss
|{{no2}}Loss
|18–1
|18–1
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ann Wolfe]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ann Wolfe]]
|{{small|KO}}
|KO
|{{small|1 (10), 1:08}}
|1 (10), {{small|1:08}}
|{{small|2004-05-08}}
|May 8, 2004
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mississippi Coast Coliseum]], [[Biloxi, Mississippi]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Mississippi Coast Coliseum]], [[Biloxi, Mississippi]], U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|For vacant WIBA and IBA female [[light heavyweight]] titles}}
|align=left|{{small|Lost [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|WIBA World Light Heavyweight title]]<br>For vacant [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|IBA Female Light Heavyweight title]].}}
|-
|- align=center
|18
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–0
|18–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Martha Salazar]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Martha Salazar]]
|{{small|UD}}
|UD
|{{small|10}}
|10
|Jul 11, 2003
|{{small|2003-07-11}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Civic Center, [[Canton, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Civic Center, Canton, Ohio, U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WIBA and IBA female heavyweight titles}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|WIBA World Heavyweight title]]<br>Won vacant [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|IBA Female Heavyweight title]].}}
|-
|- align=center
|17
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–0
|17–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jeanine Tracy
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jeanine Tracy
|{{small|TKO}}
|TKO
|{{small|8 (10), 1:40}}
|8 (10), {{small|1:40}}
|Mar 14, 2003
|{{small|2003-03-14}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Avalon Events Center, [[Cleveland, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Avalon Events Center, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|16
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–0
|16–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Martha Salazar]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Martha Salazar]]
|{{small|SD}}
|{{abbr|SD|Split decision}}
|4
|{{small|4}}
|{{small|2003-03-01}}
|Mar 1, 2003
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Thomas & Mack Center]], [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Thomas & Mack Center]], [[Paradise, Nevada]], U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|15
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–0
|15–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Kathy Rivers
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Kathy Rivers
|{{small|TKO}}
|TKO
|{{small|8 (10), 1:40}}
|8 (10), {{small|1:40}}
|{{small|2002-12-06}}
|Dec 6, 2002
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Gund Arena]], [[Cleveland, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Gund Arena]], [[Cleveland, Ohio]], U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|WIBA World Heavyweight title]] and [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|IBA Female Heavyweight title]].}}
|align=left|{{small|Retained WIBA and IBA female heavyweight titles}}
|-
|- align=center
|14
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–0
|14–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Monica McGowan
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Monica McGowan
|{{small|UD}}
|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}
|{{small|10}}
|10
|Jul 16, 2002
|{{small|2002-07-16}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Civic Center, [[Canton, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Civic Center, [[Canton, Ohio]], U.S.}}
|align=left|{{small|Won [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|WIBA World Heavyweight title]] and vacant [[International Boxing Association (professional body)|IBA Female Heavyweight title]].}}
|align=left|{{small|Won vacant [[Women's International Boxing Association|WIBA]] and IBA female [[heavyweight]] titles}}
|-
|- align=center
|13
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–0
|13–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} GiGi Jackson
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} GiGi Jackson
|{{small|TKO}}
|TKO
|{{small|4 (4), 1:48}}
|4 (4), {{small|1:48}}
|Feb 22, 2002
|{{small|2002-02-22}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Schottenstein Center]], [[Columbus, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Schottenstein Center]], Columbus, Ohio, U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|12
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–0
|12–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Carley Pesente
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Carley Pesente
|{{small|TKO}}
|TKO
|{{small|2 (4), 1:28}}
|2 (4), {{small|1:28}}
|May 16, 2001
|{{small|2001-05-16}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ameristar Casino]], [[Kansas City, Missouri]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Ameristar Casino]], [[Kansas City, Missouri]], U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|11
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–0
|11–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Kisha Snow]]
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Kisha Snow]]
|{{small|TKO}}
|TKO
|{{small|4 (4), 1:05}}
|4 (4), {{small|1:05}}
|{{small|2001-02-02}}
|Feb 2, 2001
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Celeste Center]], [[Columbus, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Celeste Center]], Columbus, Ohio, U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|10
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0
|10–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Katie Courtney
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Katie Courtney
|{{small|TKO}}
|TKO
|{{small|1 (4)}}
|1 (4)
|Dec 28, 2000
|{{small|2000-12-28}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Willoughby, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Willoughby, Ohio]], U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|9
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0
|9–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Marjorie Jones
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Marjorie Jones
|{{small|KO}}
|KO
|{{small|1 (4), 1;02}}
|1 (4), {{small|1:02}}
|Oct 19, 2000
|{{small|2000-10-19}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} The Cosmopolitan, [[Wickliffe, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} The Cosmopolitan, [[Wickliffe, Ohio]], U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|8
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0
|8–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Sharon Thomas
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Sharon Thomas
|{{small|TKO}}
|TKO
|{{small|1 (4), 1:24}}
|1 (4), {{small|1:24}}
|Sep 23, 2000
|{{small|2000-09-23}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Packard Music Hall, [[Warren, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Packard Music Hall, [[Warren, Ohio]], U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|7
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0
|7–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jeanine Tracy
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jeanine Tracy
|{{small|TKO}}
|TKO
|{{small|2 (4)}}
|2 (4)
|Aug 24, 2000
|{{small|2000-08-24}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Columbus, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Columbus, Ohio]], U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|6
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0
|6–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Lisa Redding
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Lisa Redding
|{{small|TKO}}
|TKO
|{{small|1 (4), 0:31}}
|1 (4), {{small|0:31}}
|Jul 17, 2000
|{{small|2000-07-17}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Station Casino, [[Saint Charles, Missouri]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Station Casino, [[Saint Charles, Missouri]], U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|5
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0
|5–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Genevia Buckhalter
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Genevia Buckhalter
|{{small|TKO}}
|TKO
|{{small|2 (4), 1:22}}
|2 (4), {{small|1:22}}
|Apr 27, 2000
|{{small|2000-04-27}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Hammerstein Ballroom]], [[New York, New York]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Hammerstein Ballroom]], [[New York City, New York]], U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|4
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0
|4–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Lana Jock
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Lana Jock
|{{small|KO}}
|KO
|{{small|1 (4), 0:52}}
|1 (4), {{small|0:52}}
|Mar 24, 2000
|{{small|2000-03-24}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} UAW Hall, [[Parma, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} UAW Hall, [[Parma, Ohio]], U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|3
|3
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0
|3–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Nicolyn Armstrong
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Nicolyn Armstrong
|{{small|KO}}
|KO
|{{small|1 (4), 0:59}}
|1 (4), {{small|0:59}}
|Mar 11, 2000
|{{small|2000-03-11}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[National Guard Armory]], [[Findlay, Ohio]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[National Guard Armory]], [[Findlay, Ohio]], U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|2
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|2–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Mattie Brumley
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Mattie Brumley
|{{small|TKO}}
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}
|{{small|1 (4), 1:20}}
|1 (4), {{small|1:20}}
|Feb 29, 2000
|{{small|2000-02-29}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Indiana Farmers Coliseum|Pepsi Coliseum]], [[Indianapolis, Indiana]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Indiana Farmers Coliseum|Pepsi Coliseum]], [[Indianapolis, Indiana]], U.S.}}
|
|align=left|
|-
|- align=center
|1
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|1–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Faye Steffen
|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Faye Steffen
|{{small|KO}}
|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}
|{{small|1 (4), 1:45}}
|1 (4), {{small|1:45}}
|Jan 15, 2000
|{{small|2000-01-15}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Civic Center, [[La Porte, Indiana]]}}
|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Civic Center, [[La Porte, Indiana]], U.S.}}
|
|align=left|{{small|Professional debut.}}
|}
{{S-end}}


==References==
==References==
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{{s-new}}
{{s-new}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBC female world champions#Heavyweight|WBC female heavyweight champion]]
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of WBC female world champions#Heavyweight|WBC female heavyweight champion]]
|years=2 February 2007 – 2010<br>Retired}}
|years=February 2, 2007 – 2010<br>Retired}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Martha Salazar]]}}
{{s-vac|next=[[Martha Salazar]]}}
{{succession box |
{{succession box |
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[[Category:Parade High School All-Americans (girls' basketball)]]
[[Category:Parade High School All-Americans (girls' basketball)]]
[[Category:People from Macedonia, Ohio]]
[[Category:People from Macedonia, Ohio]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Summit County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball players]]
[[Category:Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball players]]
[[Category:World heavyweight boxing champions]]
[[Category:World heavyweight boxing champions]]

Revision as of 18:40, 16 July 2024

Vonda Ward
Born (1973-03-16) March 16, 1973 (age 51)
Macedonia, Ohio, U.S.
Height6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Boxing career
Born
Vonda Ward
Other namesAll-American Girl
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights24
Wins23
Wins by KO17
Losses1
Basketball career
Career information
High schoolTrinity High School
(Garfield Heights)
CollegeTennessee (1991–1995)
PositionCenter
Career history
1996–1997Colorado Xplosion
Medals
Women's basketball
Representing  United States
Jones Cup
Bronze medal – third place 1993 Jones Cup Taipei, Taiwan Team

Vonda Ward (born March 16, 1973) is an American former professional boxer and NCAA basketball player. As a boxer, she competed from 2000 to 2008 and held multiple heavyweight world championships, including the WBC title in 2007. She also challenged Ann Wolfe for the WIBA and IBA female light heavyweight titles in 2004, in which she suffered her only defeat, losing by knockout in the first round.

Early life and basketball career

Ward grew up in a sports-oriented family; her father, Larry Ward, is a famous harness racer.

Ward played basketball at Trinity High School in Garfield Heights and was twice named Ohio's "Ms. Basketball."[1] She made "Parade All American" teams twice. She was recruited by Division I universities across the United States.

In 1991, Ward accepted a basketball scholarship at the University of Tennessee. While a member of Pat Summitt's Lady Vols, Ward played in one NCAA basketball championship game (1995) during her college career at Tennessee, losing to the University of Connecticut. She competed with USA Basketball as a member of the 1993 Jones Cup Team that won the Bronze in Taipei.[2] After her college career ended in 1995, Ward played for a professional basketball club in Germany. She later played for the American Basketball League's Colorado Xplosion. In 2012, she was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame.[3]

Boxing career

After a broken leg cut her professional basketball career short, Ward turned her attention to boxing.

Ward's boxing debut occurred on January 15, 2000, when she knocked out Faye Steffen in round one at LaPorte, Indiana. Her first four fights all ended in first-round knockout wins for Ward. On April 27, 2000, she met Genevia Buckwalter in New York. Buckwalter became the first fighter to make it out of the first round against Ward, but Ward still won on a second-round knockout. Ward's next five rivals did not make it past the second round, with two first-round knockouts and three second round wins. At this point of her career, she had a streak of twelve knockout wins in a row.

On February 2, 2001, she met prospect Kisha Snow as part of the state fair celebrations in Columbus, Ohio. Snow came into the fight undefeated after six bouts, and she and Ward engaged in a four-round war, but Ward made Snow her thirteenth straight knockout victim one minute into the fourth and final round. Ward then face Carley Pesente, on June 16, at Kansas City, Missouri. Pesente lasted two rounds.

After one more win, Ward challenged for the IBA's world's heavyweight title on August 16, 2002. Ward became the champion, but saw her knockout win streak gone as Monica McGowan lasted ten rounds at Canton, Ohio.

Ward defended her title successfully with an eighth-round knockout of Kathy Rivers on December 6 at the Gund Arena in Cleveland. On March 1, 2003, she and Martha Salazar made their Las Vegas debut, with Ward taking a four-round split decision win in a non-title bout.

After one more win, Ward unified her IBA world Heavyweight title with the WIBA's by defeating Salazar in a rematch, held on July 11 in Canton. Ward won by decision.

On May 8, 2004, Ward fought a nationally televised championship bout with Ann Wolfe in Biloxi, Mississippi. At one minute and one seconds of the first round, Wolfe knocked out Ward with a devastating right to the chin, which was even more devastating by the fact that Ward inadvertently jumped forward into the impact of the punch, leaving Ward unresponsive on the mat for a matter of minutes. This first-round knockout defeat caused her to lose her title and her undefeated status. Ward had a neck concussion because she hit the canvas with her neck when she fell, and she was hospitalized after this bout.[4][5]

On December 12, 2004, Ward returned to the boxing ring, knocking out Marsha Valley in four rounds in Cleveland. In February 2010, Ward won the inaugural WBC female heavyweight title, defeating Martha Salazar for the third and final time by unanimous decision.

Ward announced her retirement on 2010.[6] Her boxing record stands at 23 wins and 1 loss, with 17 wins by knockout.[7]

Professional boxing record

24 fights 23 wins 1 loss
By knockout 17 1
By decision 6 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
24 Win 23–1 United States Carlette Ewell UD 10 Feb 23, 2008 United States Chapparells Community Center, Akron, Ohio, U.S.
23 Win 22–1 United States Martha Salazar UD 10 Feb 10, 2007 United States Wolstein Center, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. Retained WIBA and IBA female heavyweight titles;
Won vacant WBC female heavyweight title
22 Win 21–1 United States Cassandra Giger UD 10 Jul 15, 2005 United States Gund Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. Won vacant IBA female cruiserweight title
21 Win 20–1 United States Elizabeth Kerin KO 2 (10), 1:33 Apr 29, 2005 United States Wolstein Center, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. Retained WIBA and IBA female heavyweight titles
20 Win 19–1 United States Marsha Valley TKO 4 (10), 1:47 Dec 10, 2004 United States Gund Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
19 Loss 18–1 United States Ann Wolfe KO 1 (10), 1:08 May 8, 2004 United States Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. For vacant WIBA and IBA female light heavyweight titles
18 Win 18–0 United States Martha Salazar UD 10 Jul 11, 2003 United States Civic Center, Canton, Ohio, U.S. Retained WIBA and IBA female heavyweight titles
17 Win 17–0 United States Jeanine Tracy TKO 8 (10), 1:40 Mar 14, 2003 United States Avalon Events Center, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 United States Martha Salazar SD 4 Mar 1, 2003 United States Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 United States Kathy Rivers TKO 8 (10), 1:40 Dec 6, 2002 United States Gund Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. Retained WIBA and IBA female heavyweight titles
14 Win 14–0 United States Monica McGowan UD 10 Jul 16, 2002 United States Civic Center, Canton, Ohio, U.S. Won vacant WIBA and IBA female heavyweight titles
13 Win 13–0 United States GiGi Jackson TKO 4 (4), 1:48 Feb 22, 2002 United States Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 United States Carley Pesente TKO 2 (4), 1:28 May 16, 2001 United States Ameristar Casino, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 United States Kisha Snow TKO 4 (4), 1:05 Feb 2, 2001 United States Celeste Center, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 United States Katie Courtney TKO 1 (4) Dec 28, 2000 United States Willoughby, Ohio, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 United States Marjorie Jones KO 1 (4), 1:02 Oct 19, 2000 United States The Cosmopolitan, Wickliffe, Ohio, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 United States Sharon Thomas TKO 1 (4), 1:24 Sep 23, 2000 United States Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 United States Jeanine Tracy TKO 2 (4) Aug 24, 2000 United States Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 United States Lisa Redding TKO 1 (4), 0:31 Jul 17, 2000 United States Station Casino, Saint Charles, Missouri, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 United States Genevia Buckhalter TKO 2 (4), 1:22 Apr 27, 2000 United States Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 United States Lana Jock KO 1 (4), 0:52 Mar 24, 2000 United States UAW Hall, Parma, Ohio, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 United States Nicolyn Armstrong KO 1 (4), 0:59 Mar 11, 2000 United States National Guard Armory, Findlay, Ohio, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 United States Mattie Brumley TKO 1 (4), 1:20 Feb 29, 2000 United States Pepsi Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 United States Faye Steffen KO 1 (4), 1:45 Jan 15, 2000 United States Civic Center, La Porte, Indiana, U.S.

References

  1. ^ "OHSBC MS. BASKETBALL". Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  2. ^ "1993 WOMEN'S R. WILLIAM JONES CUP". Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  3. ^ "Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame : Hall of Fame : Inductees : 2012 : Vonda Ward". ohiobasketballhalloffame.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  4. ^ Maik Grossekathöfer (October 21, 2005). "Ann versus the Man: Boxing's Battle of the Sexes - SPIEGEL ONLINE". Spiegel.de. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  5. ^ "Ann Wolfe scares the crap out of us · Interview · The A.V. Club". Avclub.com. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  6. ^ "Vic Milani's Hometown Hero – Vonda Ward | Nordonia Hills News".
  7. ^ "Vonda Ward, Women's Heavyweight Champ, Retires - Yahoo Voices". voices.yahoo.com. May 8, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
New title WBC female heavyweight champion
February 2, 2007 – 2010
Retired 		Vacant
Title next held by
Martha Salazar
Preceded by
Flor Maria Delgado (Vacated)
 WIBA Heavyweight Champion
2007-02-10 – present 		Succeeded by
Current
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