Dec. 13, 1956 – Flash From the Past: “Women’s Title Fight Due Thursday!
(APRIL 15) Move over Floyd Patterson. I'll be "Ladies First" Thursday night at South Bend St., Joseph gym with the world's boxing championship up for grabs! The occasion, mind you, is by no means a powder puff session or a new comedy act. Matched for the title bout are challenger Phyllis Kugler, a former Nilesite now making her home in South Bend, and champion Jo Ann Verhagen (Hagen), a native of Akron, Ohio, who also resides in South Bend.
[JoAnn Hagen was inducted into the International WOMEN'S Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014 - Kugler was inducted in 2015.]
Both of the attractive but dangerous feminine scrappers gained rapid popularity in the area and nation this year with appearances on two well-known television shows, "What's My Line" and the Steve Allen variety show.
The Women's Read more [...]