Mia St. John
Mia St. John | |
---|---|
![]() Mia St. John in 2005 | |
Born | Mia Rosales June 24, 1967 |
Other names | The Knockout |
Statistics | |
Weight(s) | Welterweight Light welterweight Lightweight Super featherweight Featherweight |
Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
Reach | 66+1⁄2 in (169 cm) |
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 65 |
Wins | 49 |
Wins by KO | 19 |
Losses | 14 |
Draws | 2 |
No contests | 0 |
Mia Rosales St. John (born June 24, 1967) is an American professional boxer and former World Boxing Council (WBC) champion in the super welterweight division.[1] She is also the IBA and IFBA lightweight champion.[2] She is also a model, businesswoman, and taekwondo champion.[3]
Early life
[edit]St. John, a Mexican-American with family roots in Zacatecas, Mexico, was born in San Francisco, California. She attended California State University, Northridge, earning a degree in psychology. While a student, she compiled a taekwondo record of 27–1, was awarded a black belt, and worked as a model to fund her education.[4]
She married actor Kristoff St. John. They had two children, son Julian (1989–2014) and daughter Paris. The marriage ended in divorce.
Professional boxing career
[edit]At the age of 29, St. John decided to become a professional boxer. In her first bout on February 14, 1997, she knocked out Angelica Villain in 54 seconds of the first round, earning her the nickname "The Knockout."[5]
St. John, whose first manager was Art Lovett,[6] in partnership with his brother Stewart Lovett,[7] would eventually sign a contract with Don King and then Top Rank Boxing, and was featured on the undercard of Oscar De La Hoya bouts. She had 23 fights and won 22 with one draw, 3 KOs and 9 TKOs. All fights were four-rounders and most were televised gaining her national attention. St. John was crowned the "Queen of the Four-Rounders", a title she hated. St. John's opponents were selected by Top Rank without her input.[8]
After her twentieth bout, St. John was injured in a skiing accident that threatened possible amputation of one of her legs. She underwent two operations to remove a blood clot.[9]
In November 1999, St. John appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine and in an 11-page pictorial. She wanted to show that she was a feminine woman as well as an athlete. Critical of her career, the boxing press added the term "Busty Bunny Boxer" in describing St. John.[10]
St. John did not renew her contract with Top Rank in 2001, becoming her own manager and promoter. On November 9, 2001, she lost her first fight to Rolanda Andrews with a TKO in the second round, St. John's first contest after parting with Top Rank.[11]
Eduardo and Roberto Garcia
[edit]St. John turned to trainers Eduardo and Roberto Garcia to learn proper punching techniques, footwork, and defensive strategies. St. John won her next four bouts, one by TKO.[12]
On December 6, 2002, St. John fought top boxer Christy Martin. Martin had a record of 44 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws. The press laughed at the match-up and predicted St. John would be knocked out early in the bout. St. John, coming up two weight classes, lost the bout but fought toe-to-toe with Martin all ten rounds for a credible performance.[13]
WBC, IFBA and IBA lightweight championships
[edit]On June 12, 2005, and after 47 professional bouts and 9 years, St. John was given a title bout with Liz Drew. St. John won by unanimous decision, earning the International Female Boxers Association lightweight world title. She followed this win with a unanimous decision over Donna Biggers in August, winning the IBA continental lightweight title.[14]
St. John has fought all over the world, including Beijing, China, where she won her IBA Championship. After accumulating an unheard of boxing record of nearly 60 pro fights, on June 14, 2008, St. John fulfilled her dream of fighting in her mother's home country of Mexico. She fought one of the toughest fights of her career and became the WBC international boxing champion of the world at the age of 40.
In November 2008, she was awarded by the Governor of Zacatecas, Mexico, an outstanding achievement award for her role in sports and humanitarianism. The WBC also presented her with the 2008 "WBC Goodwill Ambassador" Award.
In November 2010, Rep. Grace Napolitano joined St. John and LA Laker Ron Artest for an official mental health and suicide prevention training at Napolitano's district office in Santa Fe Springs. Artest and St. John have joined Napolitano to promote the Mental Health in Schools Act, legislation she authored which would increase federal funding for mental health therapists in schools.
She also spoke at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, where President Barack Obama made a speech at the CHCI's annual Gala.
As well as Congress, St. John speaks in schools and juvenile halls on the importance of education and overcoming hardship. She speaks of her own battles with mental illness, addiction, poverty and overcoming it all, to become a three time international boxing champion.
On August 14, 2012, St. John fought Christy Martin in a long-awaited rematch. Her dream of sixteen years finally materialized and at the age of 45, she captured the WBC super welter weight championship of the world.
On November 10, 2012, St. John was defeated by Tiffany Junot in Bakersfield, California, losing her WBC Female Super Welterweight Championship in a unanimous decision.[15]
On April 14, 2016, St. John had her last boxing bout in New Zealand on the Kali Reis vs. Maricela Cornejo undercard as the curtain call. This was her retirement bout, winning by TKO in the 4th round.
In August 2018, St. John admitted to the use of prohibited substances including steroids and masking agents in preparation for around 20 bouts, stating that "everyone does it and everyone in boxing knows it."[16]
MMA career
[edit]On January 26, 2008, in Honolulu, Hawaii, St. John's fighting career took yet another turn. "Returning to her roots" in the martial arts, she competed in her first mixed martial arts (MMA) contest and, with a combination of kicks and punches, defeated her opponent Rhonda Gallegos with a first-round knockout.[citation needed]
Professional boxing record
[edit]65 fights | 49 wins | 14 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 19 | 5 |
By decision | 30 | 9 |
Draws | 2 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
65 | Win | 49–14–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 4, 1:37 | Apr 16, 2016 | ![]() |
|
64 | Win | 48–14–2 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Oct 23, 2015 | ![]() |
|
63 | Loss | 47–14–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 2, 0:42 | May 17, 2014 | ![]() |
Women's International Boxing Association World welterweight title |
62 | Loss | 47–13–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3, 1:38 | Apr 13, 2013 | ![]() |
WBA World female welterweight title WBO World female welterweight title WBC World female welterweight title |
61 | Loss | 47–12–2 | ![]() |
UD | 10, 2:00 | Nov 10, 2012 | ![]() |
WBC World female super welterweight title |
60 | Win | 47–11–2 | ![]() |
UD | 10, 2:00 | Aug 14, 2012 | ![]() |
vacant WBC World female super welterweight title |
59 | Win | 46–11–2 | ![]() |
UD | 6, 2:00 | Oct 16, 2010 | ![]() |
|
58 | Loss | 45–11–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 5, 0:43 | Mar 20, 2010 | ![]() |
Women's International Boxing Association World lightweight title Women's International Boxing Federation World lightweight title |
57 | Loss | 45–10–2 | ![]() |
UD | 8, 2:00 | Apr 4, 2009 | ![]() |
WBC International female lightweight title |
56 | Win | 45–9–2 | ![]() |
UD | 8, 2:00 | Dec 20, 2008 | ![]() |
WBC International female lightweight title |
55 | Win | 44–9–2 | ![]() |
MD | 8, 2:00 | Jun 14, 2008 | ![]() |
vacant WBC International female welterweight title |
54 | Loss | 43–9–2 | ![]() |
SD | 6, 2:00 | Apr 20, 2007 | ![]() |
|
53 | Loss | 43–8–2 | ![]() |
UD | 10, 2:00 | Feb 9, 2007 | ![]() |
vacant International Women's Boxing Federation World lightweight title |
52 | Loss | 43–7–2 | ![]() |
UD | 10, 2:00 | Jun 23, 2006 | ![]() |
vacant Women's International Boxing Federation World lightweight title |
51 | Win | 43–6–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 | Apr 1, 2006 | ![]() |
|
50 | Loss | 42–6–2 | ![]() |
UD | 10, 2:00 | Dec 8, 2005 | ![]() |
International Boxing Association female super lightweight title |
49 | Win | 42–5–2 | ![]() |
UD | 10, 2:00 | Aug 20, 2005 | ![]() |
International Female Boxers Association World lightweight title |
48 | Win | 41–5–2 | ![]() |
UD | 10, 2:00 | Jun 12, 2005 | ![]() |
vacant International Female Boxers Association World lightweight title |
47 | Loss | 40–5–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 2, 2:00 | Feb 10, 2005 | ![]() |
|
46 | Win | 40–4–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 2, 1:14 | Feb 3, 2005 | ![]() |
|
45 | Win | 39–4–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 1, 1:46 | Dec 18, 2004 | ![]() |
|
44 | Win | 38–4–2 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Nov 6, 2004 | ![]() |
|
43 | Win | 37–4–2 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Oct 23, 2004 | ![]() |
|
42 | Win | 36–4–2 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Oct 15, 2004 | ![]() |
|
41 | Win | 35–4–2 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Aug 13, 2004 | ![]() |
|
40 | Win | 34–4–2 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Jul 29, 2004 | ![]() |
|
39 | Win | 33–4–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 3, 0:34 | Jul 23, 2004 | ![]() |
|
38 | Win | 32–4–2 | ![]() |
TKO | 4, 1:57 | May 8, 2004 | ![]() |
|
37 | Loss | 31–4–2 | ![]() |
UD | 8, 2:00 | Apr 15, 2004 | ![]() |
|
36 | Win | 31–3–2 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Feb 7, 2004 | ![]() |
|
35 | Win | 30–3–2 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Jan 24, 2004 | ![]() |
|
34 | Win | 29–3–2 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Oct 10, 2003 | ![]() |
|
33 | Draw | 28–3–2 | ![]() |
PTS | 6, 2:00 | Sep 19, 2003 | ![]() |
|
32 | Win | 28–3–1 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Jul 11, 2003 | ![]() |
|
31 | Loss | 27–3–1 | ![]() |
UD | 8, 2:00 | Apr 19, 2003 | ![]() |
|
30 | Win | 27–2–1 | ![]() |
UD | 6, 2:00 | Mar 15, 2003 | ![]() |
|
29 | Loss | 26–2–1 | ![]() |
UD | 10, 2:00 | Dec 6, 2002 | ![]() |
|
28 | Win | 26–1–1 | ![]() |
TKO | 3, 1:52 | Aug 10, 2002 | ![]() |
|
27 | Win | 25–1–1 | ![]() |
MD | 4, 2:00 | May 18, 2002 | ![]() |
|
26 | Win | 24–1–1 | ![]() |
MD | 4, 2:00 | Apr 7, 2002 | ![]() |
|
25 | Win | 23–1–1 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Jan 18, 2002 | ![]() |
|
24 | Loss | 22–1–1 | ![]() |
TKO | 2, 1:47 | Nov 8, 2001 | ![]() |
|
23 | Draw | 22–0–1 | ![]() |
MD | 4, 2:00 | Jul 28, 2001 | ![]() |
|
22 | Win | 22–0 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | May 13, 2001 | ![]() |
|
21 | Win | 21–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 3, 1:49 | Mar 25, 2001 | ![]() |
|
20 | Win | 20–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 3, 1:55 | Jan 20, 2001 | ![]() |
|
19 | Win | 19–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 4, 1:18 | Dec 3, 2000 | ![]() |
|
18 | Win | 18–0 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Jun 17, 2000 | ![]() |
|
17 | Win | 17–0 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | May 19, 2000 | ![]() |
|
16 | Win | 16–0 | ![]() |
MD | 4, 2:00 | Feb 26, 2000 | ![]() |
|
15 | Win | 15–0 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Jan 22, 2000 | ![]() |
|
14 | Win | 14–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 | Dec 11, 1999 | ![]() |
|
13 | Win | 13–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 4, 1:40 | Sep 18, 1999 | ![]() |
|
12 | Win | 12–0 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Jun 26, 1999 | ![]() |
|
11 | Win | 11–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1, 1:30 | May 8, 1999 | ![]() |
|
10 | Win | 10–0 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Feb 13, 1999 | ![]() |
|
9 | Win | 9–0 | ![]() |
KO | 2 | Dec 12, 1998 | ![]() |
|
8 | Win | 8–0 | ![]() |
SD | 4, 2:00 | Sep 19, 1998 | ![]() |
|
7 | Win | 7–0 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Aug 15, 1998 | ![]() |
|
6 | Win | 6–0 | ![]() |
KO | 2 | May 30, 1998 | ![]() |
|
5 | Win | 5–0 | ![]() |
UD | 4, 2:00 | Nov 28, 1999 | ![]() |
|
4 | Win | 4–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1 | Aug 5, 1997 | ![]() |
|
3 | Win | 3–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 3 | Jun 21, 1997 | ![]() |
|
2 | Win | 2–0 | ![]() |
TKO | 1, 1:32 | Apr 19, 1997 | ![]() |
|
1 | Win | 1–0 | ![]() |
KO | 1 | Feb 14, 1997 | ![]() |
Mixed martial arts record
[edit]1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
By knockout | 1 | 0 |
By submission | 0 | 0 |
By decision | 0 | 0 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 1–0 | Rhonda Gallegos | KO (punches) | X-1 Champions | January 26, 2008 | 1 | 0:44 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States |
References
[edit]- ^ "Ratings". Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ^ "Women's Boxing Star Mia St. John To Be Honored In Mexico". saddoboxing.com. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ^ "Mia St. John "A Night of Knockouts" Affair This Friday in Los Angeles – Boxing News – Doghouse Boxing". doghouseboxing.com. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ^ "Q&A Sessions: Mia St. John". nochelatina.com. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ^ "The Koncrete Jungle – Mia St. John "A Night of Knockouts" Affair". thekoncretejungle.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ^ "The Show Must Go On : Tragically for Boxer Mia St. John, Life Sometimes Does Imitate Art". Los Angeles Times. June 21, 1997. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ^ "Boxing Manager Lovett Dies". Los Angeles Times. June 20, 1997. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ^ "Women's Boxing: Mia St. John Biography". wban.org. Archived from the original on March 29, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ^ "Mia St John Goes To Washington On Behalf Of Mental Health | BoxingInsider.com". boxinginsider.com. February 17, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ^ "Former Mia St. John Trainer is Not A Fan of Women's Boxing". aolnews.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ^ "Playmate-Boxer Mia St. John Want's [sic] Christy Martin". esnewsreporting.com. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ^ "TSW: Mia St. John". Angelfire. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ^ "Christy Martin, Mia St. John Trade Words at Presser – Boxing News". boxingscene.com. June 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ^ "KNOCKOUT MIA ST. JOHN ROCK BIG APPLE COMIC-CON". wizardworld.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ^ "Boxing championship raises funds for the Kern County Cancer fund – 23ABC News". turnto23.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
- ^ Pugmire, Lance (August 12, 2018). "Former boxer Mia St. John admits using PEDs in wake of Alvarez-Golovkin controversy – Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official website
- Split Decisions: Official Documentary on Mia St. John
- Mia St. John at IMDb
- Professional MMA record for Mia St. John from Sherdog
- Boxing record for Mia St. John from BoxRec (registration required)
- 1967 births
- Living people
- American boxers of Mexican descent
- California State University, Northridge alumni
- American women boxers
- Doping cases in boxing
- Featherweight boxers
- American female taekwondo practitioners
- American female mixed martial artists
- Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing
- Mixed martial artists utilizing taekwondo
- American female models
- American sportspeople in doping cases
- Boxers from San Francisco
- 20th-century American women