Born: 1967
Michele Aboro (born 17 July 1967) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2001. She retired an undefeated world champion, having held the WIBF super-bantamweight title from 2000 to 2001. Michele Aboro, along with her countrywoman Michelle Sutcliffe and German Regina Halmich, became an important figure in European women’s boxing, helping raise awareness about female participation in a traditionally male sport.
Aboro began her professional career on 4 March 1995 with a first-round knockout win over Marleen Lambert in Belgium. She made a strong start with her first three professional fights, all of which were held in different European countries (Belgium, Italy, and Hungary), resulting in first-round knockout wins. On 19 October 1996, she had her first fight in Germany, defeating Severine Grandsire by a sixth-round technical knockout. Aboro continued her winning streak with successive victories, including a significant win against future world champion Daisy Lang on 29 November 1997, where she emerged victorious after a six-round decision.
On 22 August 1998, Aboro faced Brigitte Pastor for the vacant WIBF European Super Bantamweight title. Displaying her prowess, she knocked out Pastor in five rounds, securing her first professional belt. Aboro successfully defended her title by defeating Galina Gumliiska with an eight-round knockout on 28 November. She continued her winning streak with four more victories before earning her first world title opportunity.
Aboro’s moment came on 5 February 2000 when she fought Eva Jones, winning the match with a tenth-round knockout and becoming the WIBF’s world Super Bantamweight champion. She faced a tough challenge from Downtown Leona Brown on 13 June of the same year, ultimately triumphing with a ten-round decision. Following two non-title wins, Aboro defended her title against the highly touted contender Kelsey Jeffries on 10 February 2001. Jeffries, with a remarkable record of 10 wins and only 2 losses, posed a formidable challenge. However, Aboro successfully defended her championship, winning by a ten-round decision.
After one more non-title win, Aboro faced Nadia Debras on 24 November 2001 in a ten-round decision match, successfully retaining her world title for the third time. While Aboro has not officially announced her retirement, if she were to decide to remain inactive and ultimately retire from boxing, she would join the ranks of boxing’s history as an undefeated world champion, alongside the legendary Rocky Marciano and a select few others.
Michele Aboro’s contribution to women’s boxing extends beyond her impressive career. Alongside her fellow female boxers Michelle Sutcliffe and Regina Halmich, she played a crucial role in raising awareness about women’s participation in a sport traditionally dominated by men. Their achievements not only showcased their incredible athletic abilities but also shattered stereotypes and served as an inspiration for aspiring female boxers.
In recognition of her remarkable skill and dedication to the sport, Michele Aboro has become a respected figure in European women’s boxing and a symbol of empowerment. Her undefeated reign as a world champion, coupled with her unwavering determination, has solidified her place in the annals of women’s boxing history.
As of 2019, Michele Aboro resides in Amsterdam, Netherlands, continuing to inspire and leave a lasting impact on future generations of female boxers.
Awards:
– WIBF Super Bantamweight World Champion (2000-2001)
– WIBF European Super Bantamweight Champion (1998-2001)