Born: 1957 (Oxnard, California)
Graciela Casillas (born 1957) is an American former boxer and kickboxer who competed in the bantamweight division. After training in several traditional martial arts, Casillas began competing as a kickboxer in 1976. In 1979, she achieved a groundbreaking feat by becoming the first fighter to hold both boxing and kickboxing world titles in the bantamweight division.
Casillas, known for her remarkable punching power and her pioneering approach of incorporating low kicks into her fighting style, made her mark in combat sports history. She retired undefeated in 1986, leaving a lasting legacy as a pioneer and inspiration for women in combat sports.
Born in Oxnard, California, Casillas was one of eleven children of Mexican parents. At the age of fifteen, she began practicing taekwondo when her church started offering self-defense classes. When the classes ended, she delved into Hwa Rang Do and subsequently American Kenpo karate. It was during her time at her karate school that she discovered her passion for kickboxing.
In 1977, Casillas transitioned to professional fighting after an impressive amateur record of 6-0, with all victories by knockout. On June 13, 1979, she made her professional boxing debut and won the World Women’s Boxing Association’s Bantamweight Championship by defeating Karen Bennett in a unanimous decision at the Grand Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Later that year, on December 23, she added another accolade by clinching the World Kickboxing Association’s Women’s Bantamweight Championship with a victory over Irene Garcia in Las Vegas, Nevada. This historic achievement made her the first person to hold world titles simultaneously in both boxing and kickboxing.
Casillas faced a contentious bout in Chicago, Illinois, on October 6, 1981, when she went the distance with Cheryl Wheeler for the WKA bantamweight title. Initially, Wheeler was declared the winner by the judges’ scorecards. However, the decision was later overturned, and Casillas was rightfully acknowledged as the victor.
Following her retirement as a fighter, Casillas turned her attention to sharing her knowledge and expertise. She became a martial arts teacher at Oxnard College, where she also explored a different career path by joining the counseling department. Currently, she serves as the Counseling Department Chair at Oxnard College while occasionally teaching courses in the PE Department.
Beyond her accomplishments in the ring, Casillas dedicated herself to self-improvement and the development of her own martial art style called Shen Chun Do, which she named the way of the warrior spirit. Drawing from her experiences in taekwondo, full-contact karate, and her mastery of Kenpo and Kodenkan Jujitsu, Casillas earned a 3rd-degree black belt in Kenpo.
Graciela Casillas’ impact on women’s combat sports cannot be overstated. Her groundbreaking achievements and her unwavering determination have paved the way for future generations of female fighters. As a trailblazer and inspiration, Casillas will forever be remembered as a true pioneer in women’s combat sports.
Awards:
– World Women’s Boxing Association’s Bantamweight Championship
– World Kickboxing Association’s Women’s Bantamweight Championship