Andrea DeShong American female boxer Date of Birth: 16.03.1962 Country: USA

1. Biography of Andrea DeShong
2. Debut and Early Career
3. Loss to Martin and Career Break
4. Return to the Ring and Later Career

Biography of Andrea DeShong

Andrea DeShong, an American female boxer, is best known for her victory over Christy Martin in Martin's fourth professional boxing match. DeShong was born on March 16, 1962, in Mingo Junction, Ohio.

Debut and Early Career

DeShong made her professional boxing debut on March 11, 1989, in Wheeling, West Virginia. In her first-round knockout victory, she defeated Angel Horton. After another win, DeShong faced experienced boxer Jamie Whitcomb and once again emerged victorious with a first-round knockout. With two more wins, including one by second-round knockout, DeShong faced Christy Martin in Bristol, Tennessee, on November 4. DeShong dominated the fight for five rounds, handing Martin her first career loss. Immediately after defeating Martin, DeShong won her second bout against Whitcomb, which lasted five rounds and resulted in a unanimous decision victory for DeShong.

Loss to Martin and Career Break

On April 21, 1990, DeShong and Martin faced each other again, and Martin avenged her previous loss. This marked DeShong's first defeat in her professional career. Organizing female boxing matches was not easy during the mid-1990s. Due to a lack of opportunities, DeShong spent six years in the shadows after her rematch with Martin. When she finally returned to boxing, DeShong was still known to some female boxing fans. She became the only professional opponent for Martin, who by then had become the WBC welterweight women's champion. Martin became a symbol of women's boxing, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated and participating in pay-per-view preview shows organized by Showtime Network. This helped DeShong regain some recognition in comparison to the star status of Martin.

Return to the Ring and Later Career

DeShong returned to the ring on April 27, 1966, and lost to Christine Butts after four rounds. After two knockout victories over Jackie Rogers, DeShong faced veteran boxer Kathy Collins in New York and lost by unanimous decision after six rounds. Following another win on November 10 in Washington, D.C., DeShong had a draw with Isra Girgrah after six rounds. After two more victories, DeShong had a chance to earn her first world champion title. On March 2, 1997, she faced Jane Couch in New Orleans, Louisiana, for the International Women's Boxing Federation welterweight title. Unfortunately, DeShong was defeated after seven rounds.

Despite these losses, DeShong continued to prepare for the next significant event in her career. She appeared on the undercard of the boxing match between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson, which also featured former world champion Julio César Chávez and Miguel Ángel González. DeShong and Martin faced each other for the third time in this event. Prior to the match, there was significant hype created by female boxing fans, with both fighters engaging in trash-talking, bragging about themselves, and insulting their opponent. On March 28, Martin knocked out DeShong in the seventh round.

In her next fight on September 13, DeShong lost to Lucia Rijker by knockout in the third round. Despite three consecutive losses, DeShong once again fought for the world champion title against Kathy Collins. Unfortunately, DeShong missed her chance for the second time, losing to Collins by unanimous decision after ten rounds. This was followed by two more losses, against Sumya Anani and Mitzi Jeter, which led DeShong to retire from boxing. She made a comeback in 1996 at the age of 34, when most boxers and athletes, in general, are considered past their prime. Throughout her career, Andrea DeShong had 24 professional fights, winning 13 (8 by knockout), drawing 1, and experiencing 9 defeats.