Born: 1966 (Denver, Colorado)
Biography:
Terri Moss, born on January 25, 1966, in Denver, Colorado, is a retired female boxer and an esteemed inductee into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015. Her journey in life and sports has been a testament to resilience, determination, and breaking barriers.
Moss’s family relocated to Athens, Georgia, in 1975, where she spent her formative years and lived until 2003. It was in Athens that she began to shape her identity and discover her passion for sports. In 2003, Moss made the pivotal decision to move to Atlanta, joining forces with professional boxing trainer Xavier Biggs, the brother of 1984 Olympic Super Heavyweight Gold Medalist Tyrell Biggs.
Before her boxing career, Moss embarked on a path in Law Enforcement, working at various levels within the field. The majority of her career was dedicated to serving as a Narcotics Investigator. Her dedication to justice and safeguarding her community showcased her unwavering commitment to making a difference.
At the age of 34, Moss’s affinity for boxing sparked, and she commenced her training under the guidance of Doc Keppner, a Chicago native. Initially, Keppner hesitated to train Moss due to her age and physical limitations caused by Hepatitis C. However, he recognized her potential and utilized her as his assistant, teaching her the art of being a cut man for his professional fighters. Moss became one of the first documented female cut men and chief seconds for male fighters.
Undeterred by her physical obstacles, Moss sought medical treatment and underwent Interferon Therapy, eventually overcoming Hepatitis C. Fueled by her perseverance, she resumed her training to compete in the ring, debuting as a professional boxer at the age of 36.
Moss’s professional debut was against Wendy Sprowl, the newly crowned WIBA Intercontinental Champion from Boston, Massachusetts. Despite losing a unanimous decision in their four-round bout, Moss demonstrated exceptional skill and resilience. Subsequent fights followed against Maribel Zurita, the future IFBA and WIBA World Champion, and Patricia Martinez, both of which ended in decision losses for Moss.
Embracing the opportunity to refine her skills, Moss sought the guidance of Xavier Biggs, who would later become a pivotal figure in her career. Under Biggs’ tutelage, Moss faced Nina Ahlin, ranked as the number one minimumweight fighter in the world at the time. In a surprising turn of events and a career-defining moment, Moss emerged victorious, securing her first win and marking one of the most significant upsets in women’s professional boxing that year. Following this monumental victory, she quickly rose to be ranked as the second-best fighter in the world in her weight class.
Throughout her remarkable career, Moss competed for five world titles across three different weight divisions. On May 10, 2007, at the age of 41, she claimed the WIBF Strawweight World Title and the WIBA mini flyweight Intercontinental Title in Tulsa, Oklahoma, defeating Stephanie Dobbs. The momentous win carried additional significance as Dobbs was not only 28 years old but also two years older than Moss’ own daughter.
Despite her achievements, Moss faced challenges in arranging title defenses, leading her to make the difficult decision to retire. Nevertheless, her impact in the world of women’s professional boxing reverberated for years to come. Moss held a top-ten rating throughout her career and maintained the second-best ranking in the world for over two years.
Terri Moss’s unwavering dedication, indomitable spirit, and unyielding determination have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on women’s boxing history. Her ability to defy age, overcome adversity, and blaze a trail for future female fighters has truly solidified her as a trailblazer and inspiration for generations to come.
Awards:
– Inductee into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame (2015)