BATTLE OF THE SEXES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30278, 2 November 1963, Page 15

BATTLE OF THE SEXES

LAGOS (Nigeria)

More than 400 people are reported to have watched Nigeria’s first woman boxer, Miss Jessey Jones, as she chased her male opponent round the ring “in an exciting and thrilling’’ tournament at Onitsha, in Eastern Nigeria.

A local newspaper, reporting the contest, commented:

“Miss Jc®es did not hesitate to prove that a woman reall* '

could participate actively in boxing.” But Jessey Jones (no weight classification given) also appears to be throwing down a sort of challenge to the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control. “Who granted this girl a licence?” asked the Lagos “Daily Express.” “Has Miss Jones any licence? Did the promoter of the fight ascertain that she was in a fit state to fight? Did they seek the approval of the boxing authorities to promote a

woman versus man boxing contest?”

Miss Jones, who comes from Calabar, in Eastern Nigeria, met Sugar Isaac, of Ondtsha. The contest was “exciting, thrilling and full of boxing technique,” the “Express" said. In the first round. Miss Jones landed several left hooks on Sugar’s head and body.

“She fought so aggressively that | at one stage she pinned her opponent on the ropes and pummelled him on the ribs with solid lefts and rights,” the newspaper continued.