What Do You Call a Female Boxer? The Right Term and Why It Matters

There’s no such thing as a "boxing girl." That term sounds childish, outdated, and frankly disrespectful to the athletes who train just as hard, fight just as fiercely, and earn just as much respect as any male boxer. If you’re asking what to call a woman who competes in boxing, the answer is simple: boxer. Not "girl," not "lady boxer," not "female fighter." Just boxer.

Why "boxing girl" is the wrong term

Using "boxing girl" implies youth, inexperience, or a lack of seriousness. It reduces a professional athlete to a stereotype. Think about it: do you call a man who boxes a "boxing boy"? No. You call him a boxer. So why should a woman be labeled differently?

This isn’t just about politeness-it’s about recognition. Women have been boxing for over a century. In the 1920s, women like Mildred "Babe" Didrikson and Lillian Harris fought in rings across the U.S., often banned from official bouts but still showing up to train and compete. Fast forward to 2012, and women’s boxing made its Olympic debut in London. Since then, fighters like Claressa Shields, Katie Taylor, and Amanda Serrano have become global stars, holding multiple world titles and headlining major pay-per-view events.

Calling them "girls" undermines their achievements. It’s like calling a female surgeon a "girl doctor" or a female astronaut a "girl in space." It doesn’t belong in modern sports language.

The correct terms: boxer, female boxer, women’s boxer

There are three acceptable ways to refer to a woman who boxes:

• Boxer - The default, gender-neutral term. If context is clear, you don’t need to specify gender. "She’s a world champion boxer" is perfectly correct.
• Female boxer - Used when you need to distinguish gender for clarity, like in a statistics report or when comparing divisions.
• Women’s boxer - Often used in event names or weight classes, like "Women’s Lightweight Championship." It’s descriptive, not diminutive.

None of these terms carry the condescension of "boxing girl." They treat the athlete as a professional, not a novelty.

How the media got it wrong

For decades, TV commentators, sports writers, and even some fans slipped into using "girl" when talking about women in boxing. It wasn’t always intentional-it was just habit. But habits shape culture. When ESPN or YouTube commenters repeatedly say "that boxing girl knocked him out," it normalizes a phrase that erases decades of struggle.

It’s not just boxing. Female athletes across sports have fought this battle. Tennis legends like Serena Williams and Billie Jean King refused to be called "ladies" when they wanted to be called players. Soccer star Megan Rapinoe once said, "I’m not a girl. I’m a professional athlete. Call me what I am."

Progress is happening. Major boxing organizations like the WBC, WBA, and IBF now list female fighters under the same "Boxer" category as men. The International Boxing Association (IBA) officially dropped gendered labels in its 2023 rulebook. And more broadcasters are catching up-NBC Sports, DAZN, and Sky Sports now use "boxer" consistently in their commentary.

What to say instead

If you’ve been saying "boxing girl," don’t feel bad. Language changes when people notice and correct it. Here’s how to update your vocabulary:

• Instead of: "That boxing girl won the fight." → Say: "That boxer won the fight."
• Instead of: "Are there any boxing girls in your gym?" → Say: "Are there any women boxers in your gym?"
• Instead of: "She’s a cute boxing girl." → Say: "She’s a dominant lightweight boxer."

Notice the difference? The second version focuses on skill, not appearance. It respects the person’s identity as an athlete.

Why language matters in boxing

Boxing is one of the most demanding sports on earth. It requires strength, speed, discipline, and mental toughness. Women who box train the same way men do: sparring 10 rounds, running 5 miles before dawn, lifting weights, eating clean, recovering with ice baths and physio.

They face the same risks: concussions, broken bones, torn ligaments. They get paid less, get less media coverage, and still have to prove they belong. Calling them "girls" adds another layer of invisibility to that struggle.

Language isn’t just words-it’s power. When you call a woman a boxer, you’re saying: she belongs here. She’s earned it. She’s not an exception. She’s part of the sport.

Real fighters, real names

Here are a few names you should know-not as "boxing girls," but as elite athletes:

• Claressa Shields - Two-time Olympic gold medalist, undisputed middleweight champion, first American woman to win a world title in four weight classes.
• Katie Taylor - Undisputed lightweight champion, 2012 Olympic gold medalist, named Fighter of the Decade by Ring Magazine.
• Amanda Serrano - First woman to hold world titles in seven weight classes, known for her knockout power and relentless pressure.
• Erin Toughill - Former MMA and boxing champion, one of the first women to fight professionally in the U.S. in the 1990s.
• Marlen Esparza - First U.S. woman to qualify for Olympic boxing, bronze medalist in 2012.

These aren’t girls. They’re champions. And they deserve to be called what they are.

What you can do

If you watch boxing, follow it on social media, or talk about it with friends, you have influence. Here’s how to help:

• Correct the term when you hear it. Gently. "Actually, she’s a boxer."
• Follow women’s boxing events. Watch the fights. Share them.
• Support female fighters by buying their merchandise, attending their matches, or donating to their training funds.
• Don’t use "boxing girl" in your posts, comments, or conversations.

Change starts with one word. And the right word is boxer.

Final thought

The next time you see a woman in the ring, throwing hooks, slipping jabs, and standing tall after the bell, don’t call her a girl. Call her a boxer. Because that’s exactly what she is.