Myriam Lamare (born 1 January 1975, in Saint-Denis) is a French female boxer who won world titles in the

World Boxing Association The World Boxing Association (WBA), formerly known as the National Boxing Association (NBA), is the oldest and one of four major organizations which sanction professional boxing bouts, alongside the World Boxing Council (WBC), International Boxi ...

(WBA), World Boxing Federation (WBF), and

International Boxing Federation The International Boxing Federation (IBF) is one of four major organizations recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) which sanctions professional boxing bouts, alongside the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Counci ...

(IBF).

Biography

Myriam Lamare was born to a French father and an Algerian mother. She spent her childhood in Aubervilliers, France. She left school at age 17, hoping to help support her family, and began boxing as an amateur because her parents did not have the means to enroll her in a club. She went on to practice

athletics Athletics may refer to: Sports * Sport of athletics, a collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking ** Track and field, a sub-category of the above sport * Athletics (physical culture), competiti ...

full-contact karate Full contact karate is any format of karate where competitors spar (also called Kumite) full-contact and allow a knockout as winning criterion. History Full contact karate competition comes in several different formats developed for the art o ...

, and

boxing Boxing (also known as "Western boxing" or "pugilism") is a combat sport in which two people, usually wearing protective gloves and other protective equipment such as hand wraps and mouthguards, throw punches at each other for a predetermined ...

. While working in a catering job in

Martinique Martinique ( , ; gcf, label=Martinican Creole, Matinik or ; Kalinago: or ) is an island and an overseas department/region and single territorial collectivity of France. An integral part of the French Republic, Martinique is located in th ...

, Lamare trained in contact sports such as full-contact kickboxing. Her unexpected break happened at a facility in

Fort-de-France Fort-de-France (, , ; gcf, label=Martinican Creole, Fodfwans) is a Communes of France, commune and the capital city of Martinique, an overseas department and region of France located in the Caribbean. It is also one of the major cities in the ...

, when she was seen by an expert coach visiting from Hatman Miloudi, a French boxing club in

Bobigny Bobigny () is a commune, or town, in the northeastern suburbs of Paris, Île-de-France, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. Bobigny is the prefecture (capital city) of the Seine-Saint-Denis department, as well as the seat of the A ...

. He helped Lamare develop from a regional-level fighter to elite status in a recognized national federation, the French Federation of

Savate Savate (), also known as boxe française, savate boxing, French boxing or French footfighting, is a French kickboxing combat sport that uses the hands and feet as weapons combining elements of English boxing with graceful kicking techniques. ...

(French boxing). When Lamare was awarded the title of vice-champion of France, she left Martinique and moved to

Marseille Marseille ( , , ; also spelled in English as Marseilles; oc, Marselha ) is the prefecture of the French department of Bouches-du-Rhône and capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Situated in the camargue region of southern Franc ...

for better training conditions. As an amateur, her record was 45 fights, 42 wins. In November 2004, Lamare became the world champion in the

super lightweight Light welterweight, also known as junior welterweight or super lightweight, is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Professional boxing In professional boxing, light welterweight is contested between the lightweight and welterweight divisions, ...

category, beating the United States' Eliza Olson. She became the first female world champion recognized by the World Boxing Association. On 29 April 2005, she defended her title by beating

Ukraine Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inv ...

's Elena Tverdokhleb before 7,000 spectators at the Palais des Sports in Marseille. It was during the sixth defense of her world title on 2 December 2006 in Paris that Lamare, who had earned a reputation as a "killer" in the ring, met

Anne Sophie Mathis Anne Sophie Mathis (born 23 July 1977) is a French former professional boxer who competed between 1995 and 2016. She held world titles in two weight division; the WBA female super-lightweight from 2006 to 2008; the WBC female super-lightweig ...

for the first time. Lamare lost by referee stoppage in the sixth round. The match was voted female fight of the year by

Ring Magazine ''The Ring'' (often called ''The Ring'' magazine or ''Ring'' magazine) is an American boxing magazine that was first published in 1922 as a boxing and wrestling magazine. As the sporting legitimacy of professional wrestling came more into questio ...

. A rematch was held in Marseille on 29 June 2007, and the result was the same: Mathis dominated all 10 rounds. On 23 January 2009, Lamare lost to

Holly Holm Holly Rene Holm (born October 17, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist, who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. She is the former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, and a former professional boxer. She was a multiple-time world ...

, the reigning

Women's International Boxing Association The Women's International Boxing Association (WIBA) is a sanctioning body for women's professional boxing came into existence in July 2000, and quickly grew into a major force in the sport. History The WIBA was officially founded by American Rya ...

(WIBA) welterweight champion. However, on 9 October 2009, she won the vacant position of WBF welterweight champion, beating Ann Saccurato of the United States. On 5 November 2011, Lamare became the IBF super lightweight world champion by defeating

Chevelle Hallback Chevelle Lynvette Hallback (born September 3, 1971) is a female boxer from Plant City, Florida. Hallback, nicknamed "Fist of Steel", has been featured on television many times, usually fighting the biggest names in the sport. Hallback is among t ...

Toulon, France Toulon (, , ; oc, label= Provençal, Tolon , , ) is a city on the French Riviera and a large port on the Mediterranean coast, with a major naval base. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, and the Provence province, Toulon is the ...

Professional boxing record

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Win , align=center, 1–0 ,

Annalisa Bucci Annalisa Bucci (born ) is an Italian female kickboxer and mixed martial artist, based in Rimini. She has competed professionally since 2005 and is the currently competing in the Bellator Featherweight division and in the SUPERKOMBAT Lightweight di ...

, Decision (Unanimous) , PFC 4 - Pancrase Fighting Championship 4 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Marsielle Marseille ( , , ; also spelled in English as Marseilles; oc, Marselha ) is the prefecture of the French department of Bouches-du-Rhône and capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Situated in the camargue region of southern France ...

, France ,

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Lamare, Myriam 1975 births French sportspeople of Algerian descent French women boxers French female mixed martial artists World lightweight boxing champions World boxing champions Living people French savateurs Sportspeople from Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis Featherweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Mixed martial artists utilizing savate Welterweight boxers Lightweight boxers AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships medalists