Lysa R Harris - Marketing Director. Events Manager. at WPB TV

About Lysa

Lysa Harris grew up in a family where most of her relatives were from South Wales.  Her great uncle Bill Jones was a boxing coach and trainer who travelled over from Norway to go to Bethnal Green to go and get gum shields, chest pads, gloves, wraps and all sorts to take back home rather than order them in.  So Lysa grew up around boxing being Bill Jones niece.  

Lysa R Harris

Bill taught Lysa a lot - especially how to punch and avoid being hit which was great because not all women want to wear pink and be fluffy.  Lysa was one of the first female Army Cadets in the Royal Artillery and her first job was working in a tyre and exhaust fitting centre which she also had to fight for.  She went on to do panel beating, spraying and welding at the centre and moved on to be one of the first female DJ’s in North London.

Lysa's uncle taught her how to fight and to win but Lysa is the first to admit she is not a boxer. Looking back now she wished she had known that women boxed as much as they do because it would have been something she would have gotten into.  But let’s all face it, women’s boxing is seriously underrated and not publicized nearly enough. 

About WPB.media  

Lysa was approached last year by good friend Jon Collins to embark on a new project.  That project was WPB.media which is a brand new concept to bring women’s boxing into the limelight and give women’s boxing it’s own platform and TV channel.  It was an amazing challenge so how could she refuse?

Lysa couldn't refuse.  She talked to boxers and listened to how hard they were struggling before boxing gave them hope for a better future.  She saw women that had been terribly abused and battered walking into gyms and finding a place to call home.  It was a place they felt they belonged to and a place to make a difference to their own life choices as well as being an inspiration to those around them.

Lysa looked deeper.  To her surprise, Lysa found that for these women boxing wasn’t just a bit of fun or a way to learn to fight or keep fit.  It was a complete lifestyle change.  The women could dedicate themselves to a sport that gave them what they wanted - a chance to win at something. The stories that touched Lysa the most were that of Cherelle Brown, Monika Harrison and so many others. 

When you switch on the TV there are ads for events such as “Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua”.  But where are the women's fights?  You do get the likes of Claressa Shields advocating for women’s boxing but as it stands the overall fan base is built around men's boxing and female boxing is pushed to the back.

But Lysa is encouraged that many men are behind these talented and beautiful powerhouses.  Some are doing everything they can to get them noticed and to trying to get them the right fights with the right opponents.  This is really amazing!

Boxers fimed by the WPB crew include:

Tilly Hymers

Kathy McAleer

Note that footage shot by WPB is available on YouTube - Women's Pro Boxing WPB TV @WPB.MEDIA.

WPB.media is trying to give women’s pro boxing it’s own home.  It is a TV channel that is dedicated entirely to Women’s Pro Boxing.  WPB goes out on location - even though it is difficult right now due to the lockdowns - and features fighter interviews and fight footage.

WPB.media is being advertised globally.  Lysa works seven days a week speaking with people, writing emails, contacting people for interviews and making posters and other activities.   The list of tasks is endless but the fan bases must be built.  Lysa is hoping that WPB.media becomes the home ground of womens professional boxing and a platform that makes a difference.  WPB.media has a lot of backing from many areas.  They are always listening and open to ideas on how to improve things for every single female boxer out there.

Lysa has so much respect for all women pursuing boxing.  New footage is being worked on constantly by the great production team and she is hoping that in the future WPB.media can make that difference.  All she knows is that if you don’t give up we won’t give up.  Lysa has spoken to social services about a youth club in Hackney called Pedro’s and told them about their boxing club to get kids off of the streets and out of trouble.

Pedro’s youth club is run by James Cook MBE and the other guy is Shabba Edwards, or Ethan.  Great youth initiative.  The youth need support and guidance and opportunities to make the right choices.  Doing things like this is really close to Lysa's heart!

Pedro's Youth Club

Lysa argues with those who say women shouldn’t box.  Why not??  Some people are not aware of the pure dedication and commitment to lifestyle changes these women have made.  It is about time WPB showed them!

WPB has several Facebook groups including a main group, two trade groups, a fans' page and a fitness page. 

WPB.MEDIA (Women's Pro Boxing)

Women's Pro Boxing Fans (WPB.MEDIA)

Women's Pro Boxing Fitness (WPB.MEDIA)

Lysa is looking for contributors with fitness videos.  If you would like to be a part of the way forward please contact Lysa at wpb2021@yahoo.com .

Katelynn Phelan - Ireland's Youngest Female Professional Boxer

Katelynn Phelan is Ireland's youngest female professional boxer and is pursuing her goal of becoming Ireland's youngest female World Champion and inspiring the next generation of kids to use sport and fitness to better their future. 

During a stellar amateur career Katelynn won 7 All Ireland Titles as well as capturing European Bronze and World Bronze while representing Ireland. 

From a boxing family, Katelynn's mother and father, Martina and Paddy Phelan, run St. Bridges Boxing Club in the heart of Kildare Town while her brother, Allan, is also a professional boxer. 

Katelynn made her debut live on terrestrial television on TG4 in March and had her second professional fight in Cork in the Neptune Stadium. Currently Katelynn is training for her third professional fight to take place in Belfast, recently described as 'the European capital of boxing'. 

Katelynn trains twice a day, 6 days a week in a bid to improve her skills with the aim of winning her first World Title within 3 years. Currently ranked within the top 50 in the world Team Phelan feel that this is a very realistic proposition.

She trains in UNIT 3: Health and Fitness in Naas and also in her home club in Kildare Town. Katelynn's weekly training regime consists of; boxing, running, strength and conditioning, sparring and mobility work, all done with top training partners who push her in every session.

The Importance of Photographing Women in Boxing

There was a recent article in WIRED magazine entitled The Importance of Photographing Women in Sports.  Alana Paterson documents young female hockey players defying gender expectations.

The article contains this important observation regarding women's participation in male-dominated sports: 

"One of the biggest things researchers are finding that keeps girls engaged in sports is access to their heroes and mentors—even if it's just seeing them."

Frequent depiction of women in sport in the media is a key factor for public acceptance and individual participation.  Put another way, people's opinions on women in sport are swayed by the normalization of women in sport.  As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Photographer Working Ringside

It follows that the best ways to connect people with female boxing is for inspirational stories and illuminating images to be shared and made more prominent in the media.

Boxing has become extremely popular as a form of exercise for women for a whole host of good reasons.  But we have a way to go.  Acceptance of, and participation levels in, competitive boxing for women still needs to grow to the point that these two measures are similar for both men and women.  It is exciting to see growth in women's only boxing events.

 The Sweet Science Boxing Club in Atlanta, Ga Hosts their 2nd Annual Atlanta Classic USA Boxing Women's Only Tournament

The title of this article is probably too limited and could be better reworded.  But this doesn't detract from the importance that more images of women participating in the sport will play in the popularization of women's boxing.


It is important that news organizations give women's fights proper coverage.

Exciting featherweight prospect Amy Timlin stalked her opponent round the ring, carefully picking her shots and was awarded a points victory in her professional boxing debut  Roz Mari Sylanova

Female Boxing Now promotes female boxing through words but also has several photo galleries.  Hopefully, the images increase interest in this great sport for spectators and provide motivation for participants.  Click here to check out the Photo Albums at Female Boxing Now. 

The Boxing-Ballerina

Hard work and dedication to two sports has a small town girl known as the “Boxing-Ballerina” from Kansas City Missouri making big waves.

In a short time Brijhana Epperson has accomplished quite a bit in both the boxing and ballet worlds. In as little over a year being registered as a USA amateur boxer, led by her head coach also known as “Dad” (Courtney Epperson), Brijhana has become:

• 2019 State Silver Gloves Champion
• 2019 Regionals Silver Gloves Champion..
• 2019 Silver medalist in the the National Silver Gloves Tournament
• 2019 Junior Olympics Champion...
• 2019 Eastern Elite Qualifier Champion - thus becoming the Nations #1 ranked boxer in her respective age and weight class!

Brijhanas’ ultimate goal is to compete in the 2028 Olympics.

Brijhana’s love and dedication for ballet has resulted in an impressive resume as well.  She auditioned for and won roles for Kansas City Ballet’s “Nutcracker Ballet” in 2016, 2017 and again in 2019.

Brijhana took a break in 2018 and joined the “Friends of Alvin Ailey” dance company, broadening her repertoire with contemporary dance from Alvin Ailey to classical ballet from Kansas City Ballet School.

Brijhana’s accomplishments have garnered attention from radio shows, local news to recently being awarded the 2020 “Children’s Mercy Rising Star Award” through the Win4KC non-profit organization.

Brijhana had a BIG 2019 and has started off 2020 with a BANG!!!

A Short Q & A with Amy Green, Boxing Publicist

Amy has written articles and performed interviews with fighters and personalities in the sport of boxing for The Boxing Tribune.  As a publicist, Amy creates opportunities for client publicity.   Amy will be providing some input to the Female Boxing Now FaceBook Page.

Amy Green

Amy was kind enough to answer a few questions for FBN.

What is your current involvement with boxing?

I am currently a boxing publicist.  I create and maintain press opportunities for my clients and their events.  I currently have two female clients,  Christy Martin and Terri Moss.  I have been with Terri since 2010.

How long have you been involved with boxing and what drew you to the sport?

I've been in boxing since 2003 or 4, and watched boxing with my father growing up

Why is boxing a good sport for women?

Boxing allows them to show their strength, versatility and commitment to succeed.

Can you elaborate on how you have contributed to the advancement of women in the sport? 

If I have in any way, I hope I've encouraged women in all aspects of the sport to never give up, always try and find a way to create your success.

Can you tell us more about the program "A Ring of Their Own" and how you contributed to it?

I was the publicist for A Ring of Their Own.

Boxing has been growing in popularity as a form of exercise for women.  Do you think this results in more women moving into competitive boxing?

It has created more interest and there are women competing at different amateur levels, if they're not going into the pros.

Women's boxing has also been growing in popularity with the addition of women's boxing to the olympics and with former olympic boxers turning pro.  Where do you see this leading in the next 5-10 years?

I hope finally out of the Dark Ages. With the depth of the sport increasing and the skill level, women's boxing will finally, FINALLY gain the respect and recognition that has been so hard fought to achieve.

Who is your favourite female fighter - past, present and future - and why?

I can't really name any one fighter. 

What are your goals with regard to women's boxing?

I'd have to reference one of the previous questions - to finally have the fighters get the respect and recognition they deserve and for women that work in the other roles in boxing to be seen as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

UK's Double Award Winning All Female Women's Boxing Club Breaks All Barriers.

WBC is the only all female boxing and boxing fitness club in The Midlands.  It is three years old and has scored film and TV credits from all over the UK. 

Jason Lowe

Women's boxing has really over the last three years to become one of the biggest talking points in the sport.  The USA has well established a strong bond for women in the sport and also in other sports.  The UK is somewhat thirty years behind in thinking when it comes to women's boxing.

Even now in 2017, trainers, promoters and fans in both the amateur and professional sides of boxing have not yet warmed to women's boxing.

The old attitude is still there, but these are the same people slagging off white collar boxing shows compared to amateur and pro, but have trainers run them to bring their club in financial gain to cover costs. Most costs covering their very own holidays. 

Katie Taylor

Jane Couch, Katie Taylor, Nicola Adams & Natasha Jonas are the leading names in UK and Ireland's female boxing at the moment but Chantelle Cameron, Stacey Copeland, and Kim Shannon are amongst some of the new names coming in also.

Chantelle Cameron

In October 2014 Jason Lowe set up the Women's Boxing Club at a gym near the City Center.  The Community Aero Gym opened just a few months before by Colin Treasure, a Kick-Boxing champion and friend of Jason's.  After a meeting it was agreed three sessions a week would be set aside for females in boxing.

Only three women were training with Jason when he opened up but word spread very fast over the following weeks and more women joined.  Women are happy to train in an all female environment - word spreads and things start to expand!

Jason brought in female boxer Mav Akram to help with the sessions and also to make WBC bigger and better.  Mav started training with Jason a few months previously and was very happy with how he worked with people.

Mav Akram

Over the next twelve months, three classes a week started to pay off for WBC.  More females of all ages are coming to the sessions. The gym has seen the potential of the branding and accommodated more for the sessions.  The UKs TV Channel BOX-NATION did a poll across the Country and placed the club as a joint No 1 choice for the year!

While getting the branding of the ground, Jason has already established his own name in boxing.  A renowned boxing coach, trainer, referee and event MC, Jason was also writing for three local newspapers covering all the boxing for all three and helping out with other avenues.  Also a former fighter, Jason decided after two years to do something no other gym wanted to do - Women's Boxing Classes.

Some boxing clubs had ta single digit number of females in the club, but not one gym had double digits.  Jason saw this as a negative and wanted to make it a positive.  After being with the ABA he moved away and grasped the movement for women in boxing and also offered women the chance to even train like their male counterparts do and get a blending of amateur/professional training and boxercise all in one.  The club opened to accommodate women from all walks of life. From the ages of 10 to ladies over 55, they have all become friends of WBC.

Females from all paths of faiths, religions, beliefs train under one roof of safety.  From college to university, unemployed to employed, NHS staff to office staff, police officers, office workers, mothers - everyone has found this place a great movement and of high stature in not just the community, but also for women who have been left out in a sport they love.

Since starting in October of 2014, actors, referees, MCs, local boxers, area, British, Irish, Commonwealth, European and over 31 World Boxing champions have all sent videos showing support and offering good luck to the club.  Nigel Benn, Frank Bruno, Tim Witherspoon, Ritchie Woodall, Anthoney Joshua, Ray Boom Boom Mancini, Vinny Paz, Glenn Catley, Wayne Elcock, Robin Reid, Johnny Nelson, Shannon Briggs, Steve Collins, Barry McGuigan, Joe Calzaghe, Kell Brook, Micheal Buffer and Roberto Duran are just some of the names who have done this.

Last year the club was voted the No 1 club of the year by Sport Birmingham.  Jason was a finalist for coach of the year.

Two months later, the club was a finalist in the West Midlands Sports Awards.  Also Jason was nominated by the local main newspaper as Unsung Coach of the Year.  Colleges, Universities and TV channels from GB and Ireland have all descended on the club to film there and make documentaries.

Jason was asked to film a role with Johnny Harris in his film 'JAWBONE', the newly released British film also staring Ray Winstone, Micheal Smiley, Ian McShane and Luke Smith.  Jason was given the role of the fight scene referee and also boxing Master of Ceremonies in the film.  Paul Weller made the sound track music.  WBC was also asked to provide some females for the film also.

WBC showcased three boxing events to highlight women's boxing.  All three events sold out before opening.  These shows received glowing reviews from the press and opened more doors for WBC.  Festivals and Sports Days in Birmingham asked the club to be involved which again gave crowds of people a open eye into females in boxing.  One open day show had over 10,000 people attend.  All had to pass the Women's Boxing Club and the organizers were given massive positive feedback from both visitors and trade.

In May of this year the club was asked to work with the BBC and to be the new faces for an Ident which would go out on main TV up to four times a day.  After getting a 'Yes' from The BBC, sevel ladies spent the day filming the Ident which has now been shown nearly everyday including prime time.  Over 20 million people have seen the Ident.  This then lead on to six other females from the club being asked to take part in a TV show which is to be aired in January of 2018.

BBC official photo of The Women's Boxing Club Ident 

November 3rd will see the club eventing its 4th and only show of  2017.  The long anticipated show will again house an all female boxing event and four weeks before the event tickets have nearly all sold out.

Poster for next show in UK

The club has gained alliances from other trusted female boxing clubs in the outer surrounding areas.  WBC has agreed to maintain a healthy life with some other clubs who now work alongside and with some fantastic coaches who want to go down the same route as Jason has.  Women's Boxing Northampton, Cearys Boxing in Derby, The Wolverhampton Women's Boxing Organization and Robbie's Boxing Academy in Coventry have now formed a positive bond with the Women's Boxing Club to help provide security and a balanced canvas for females in boxing.

The UK's WBC has also a booming website www.womensboxingclub.com which is now at times getting hundreds of supporting hits every week and attracting contacts from the media and TV film companies for resources.

The club and branding are growing from strength to strength and is still only in its infant stages.  So much has been done over the three years and it has all been positive.

Every now and then, the club has active or former boxers coming down to help with their sessions.  The women love the buzz of being involved and it is a fantastic bonus having known faces take on sessions to help them in their training.  It is great to see boxers who have been there and done it show support in anyway they can. To have them pop on and say hello is not just super cool but also very supportive. 

The club is always looking to motivate the ladies and is always on the lookout to have known boxing faces from all over the world send them positive messages by video.
Getting the branding out shows everyone the club is strong and here to stay.
No matter what goes on the owners work hard to keep windows open for women in boxing.

What's great about women's boxing is there is less drama than the males.  There is no one walking around puffing their chests out and bicep curling.  These ladies want to get in and dirty (so to speak).  They want to get a sweat on and some now love getting in some sparring.  They enjoy going through at a fighting pace and picking it up when other boxers come into the gym from a visiting club.

There is no animosity between the girls as there is with males.   They learn and teach at the same times where their male counterparts just want to show dominance and alpha male marks.  Males claim to be the best in the gym. However it's different at WBC. No one is above or below anyone else.  No one is the best in the club. No one thinks like that.
One may have a better jab than the others but lacks good defence.  Someone else may have good movement but week uppercuts.

Everyone works with each other and backs each other up at all times.  They are not just a club family.  On occasions the club ladies meet up to attend boxing events as a group or go the cinema and food afterwards.  In good weather, BBQs are a great way for them to chill out and get to know each other in not just a friendship way but also for networking.

WBC taking part in a charity run

The future for women's boxing looks great and is only getting better. The UK's Women's Boxing Club hopes to be a show of force and a branding known all over for years to come.

The Women's Boxing Club can be found at www.womensboxingclub.com or on FaceBook at WBC Women's Boxing Club.  Twitter details at @wbcwomensboxing 

WBC would love and be very grateful if any USA or other female champions could find time to send them a short video showing support.  The women in the UK would feel so proud to get them!

Changing Views on Females, Fitness and Fighting

Well, here it is - 2017!

It may not seem like things have changed that quickly, but in recent decades there has been a very significant and welcome change in how women seeking physical strength and opportunities to fight are viewed in popular culture of most of the world.

I am constantly amazed at the progress being made by women in the sport of boxing.  Women's magazines are promoting boxing as a way to lose weight, keep fit and pursue the sweet science competitively.  Articles on how to get into boxing - where to find a boxing gym that is female-friendly are everywhere.  And most importantly, facilities and instructors that allow women to participate in boxing training and competition are more available than ever.

This all shows how the attitudes toward women engaging in the sport of boxing is changing.  In the past, women's fitness was more passive and geared mainly to obtaining the ideal figure.  There was even the idea that machines could do all the work - like it was somehow possible to jiggle the fat away.

Hard to believe today, but in the early part of the 20th century a muscular woman was more likely to be on display in a circus.

Not today!

Today women are training for health, fitness and strength.  Size is not so important.  plus size women getting fit with boxing.  And this trend is only going to continue in 2017.

Charity boxing events now include female participants in large numbers.

Young girls are taking up amateur boxing in ever increasing numbers.

Female athletes in a variety of sports also supplement their training with boxing.  Women's soccer and rugby are good examples.  Body builder Gina Davis is a boxing fan who also keeps fit with boxing.

Women are getting more opportunities to box competitively in tournaments around the world.

Women are entering the ranks of promotion, referees, trainers and coaches.

Female boxers impress with their toughness and courage in the ring.

But at the end of 2016 we saw the most encouraging developments of all with prominent and popular amateur boxers entering the world of professional boxing.  Claressa Shields won her professional debut against a tough Franchon Crews in an exciting fight.  Claressa turned professional to build a legacy.

Popular Irish boxer Katie Taylor has already won two entertaining professional fights.  Turning pro has re-kindled Katie's love of boxing and it shows in the quality of her fights.

Fighters like Claressa and Katie are building fan bases which will grow the sport.

Improving access to competitive amateur and professional boxing is key.  And seeing more women engaged in the sport breaks down stereotypes and is promoting a healthy image of female strength and showing that women are as tough as men.