Cathy Brown (born 28 July 1970) is a British sports coach and former

professional boxer Professional boxing, or prizefighting, is regulated, sanctioned boxing. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse that is divided between the boxers as determined by contract. Most professional bouts are supervised by a regulatory autho ...

who competed from 1999 to 2006. She challenged for multiple world championships during her career; the

WIBF The Women's International Boxing Federation (WIBF) is one of the more recognized world championship fight sanctioning organizations in women's boxing. Founded in March 1989, it is based in Miami, Florida, and presided over by Barbara Buttrick. The ...

bantamweight Bantamweight is a weight class in combat sports. For boxing, the range is above and up to . In kickboxing, a bantamweight fighter generally weighs between . In mixed martial arts, MMA, bantamweight is . The name for the class is derived from Ba ...

title twice in 2002 and 2004; the WIBF

flyweight Flyweight is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing above 49 kg (108 lb) and up to 51 kg (112 lb). Professional boxing The flyweight division was the last of bo ...

title in 2003; and the WBC female flyweight title in 2005. At regional level, she challenged once for the

European European, or Europeans, or Europeneans, may refer to: In general * ''European'', an adjective referring to something of, from, or related to Europe ** Ethnic groups in Europe ** Demographics of Europe ** European cuisine, the cuisines of Europe ...

female flyweight title in 2003. She regularly writes columns for

Men's Health ''Men's Health'' (''MH''), published by Hearst, is the world's largest men's magazine brand, with 35 editions in 59 countries. It is also the best-selling men's magazine on U.S. newsstands. Started as a men's health magazine by Rodale, Inc. ...

and Women's Health magazine.

Background

Brown was born on 28 July 1970. She was put into a Catholic Care orphanage until she was adopted at an early age by her adoptive parents and raised in Lanchester, Durham. In 1992 she moved to London to pursue her photographic career as a Forensic Photographer, as which she worked until 1998.

Early career

She started Kickboxing in 1992 as a hobby and only after three months her trainer suggested that she should enter her first competition. She remained undefeated for 25 fights, winning both the BKBU and WBFo British Kick Boxing title.

Boxing career

Brown received her professional boxing license in August 1998. Her first fight was a points win against Veerle Braspenningx from Belgium in Oct 1999 and won the WBFo European

title in July 2000. In June 2002 she went for the

International

title against Alina Shaternikiova, but lost. She fought Stephanie Bianchini for the European female flyweight title in December 2003, however, controversially lost on points. She fought a rematch against Stephanie Bianchini for the WBC female flyweight title in August 2005 in Italy, but lost again on points. On 24 September 2006, Brown won the English female bantamweight title when she defeated

Juliette Winter Juliette Anne Winter (born 21 February 1971 in Whitehaven, United Kingdom) is an English professional boxer who was the first woman to win a BBBofC-sanctioned professional women's title on 23 July 2006, defeating former ABA super flyweight cham ...

by a ten-round 97–94 decision in a rematch of their 2003 four-rounder. With the win, Brown became the first female champion sanctioned by the

British Boxing Board of Control The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) is the governing body of professional boxing in the United Kingdom. History The British Boxing Board of Control was formed in 1929 from the old National Sporting Club and is headquartered in Cardiff. ...

. After the fight, she stated that she would retire from competition because of persistent wrist and neck injuries.

Professional boxing record

Other / Current activities

Brown is currently focusing on her coaching career as a boxing coach and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist at the Third Space gym. She has participated in various challenges such as sailing across the Atlantic in a world record attempt and took part in a 120 km running and climbing event for Sparks Charity. As an ambassador for The Lotus Flower Charity, Brown visited refugee camps in Iraq in 2019 to teach Yazidi women how to box.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Cathy 1970 births Sportspeople from Leeds Living people English women boxers World boxing champions English female kickboxers