My name is Malissa Smith.
I am an author and women’s boxing historian.
My love affair with boxing began as a young girl, but wasn’t realized fully until I walked myself into Gleason’s Gym in January of 1997 and began to train.
While I’ve never competed, per se, I have had to test myself beyond my limits to face the truths that come when one lives fully in the moment. And really, there is nothing like a punch in the mouth to understand what it means to be awake.
My newest book The Promise of Women’s Boxing: A Momentous New Era for the Sweet Science, will be published by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers on June 4, 2024. The book is available for preorder on Amazon.
Boxing not only awakened me, but truly uncaged my soul bringing me to the other passion in my life, writing. My essay, How Boxing Uncaged Me, is available in the new book, The Difference; Essays on Loss, Courage, and Personal Transformation. The book is available on Amazon.
My first book was A History of Women’s Boxing, the first comprehensive history of the sport published by Rowman & Littlefield in June 2014. The book is available on Amazon.
Supporting women in boxing is why I continue to write the Girlboxing blog which has been a labor of love since I first started it back in October 2010.
My current boxing related activities include:
International Boxing Hall of Fame – Selection Committee Member and Voting Member for the Women’s Modern Boxers and Women’s Trailblazer Boxers induction categories.
International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame – Board Member, Host, Women’s Boxing Historian
Ring Magazine – Women’s Boxing Ratings Committee Member
I am a co-producer for the WAAR Room podcast, a conversation about topics in boxing and sports justice with Chris Baldwin and Eddie Goldman. The show is available on YouTube’s popular WAAR Sports Channel and be sure to hit the “Like” and “Subscribe” buttons!.
I make regular appearances on boxing podcasts and related shows to talk about the sport. (See Media page for links to latest appearances.)
My public appearances and motivational speaking engagements feature discussions of boxing, women’s empowerment, caregiving, retirement, and related topics. My most recent boxing appearance was at the 10th Annual International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame induction event at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas on October 6 & 7, 2023, where I had the honor of introducing the 2023 and 2024 inductees at our Night of the Stars event.
Feel free to contact me for information on availability for public speaking or related engagements. My email is:
Social Media Contacts below:
© 2010-2023 Malissa Smith All rights reserved.
Girlboxing 
My pleasure. I came across your blog on the Conjuring My Muse blog.
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