It’s spring of 2004 in Biloxi, Mississippi. The women’s IBA light heavyweight title is up for grabs. Texan Ann Wolfe: 173 lbs, 5’ 9” is up against Ohioan Vonda Ward: 170 lbs and a whopping 6′ 6” tall. One minute and 8 measly seconds into the first round- Wolfe’s fist detonates on Ward’s face. Ward instantly falls to her defeat, laying there like a confused puddle. Wolfe rejoices over her knockout, the crowd obviously goes wild.
Ann Wolfe grew up in Oberlin, Louisiana, where her and her family struggled. Both of her parents passed away by the time she was 18 years old. Her father, murdered in a drug dealing accident and her mother, taken by cancer. One brother lost an eye and wound up in prison. Her oldest brother, murdered by a policeman during an attempted robbery. Another lives with her sister who thankfully recovered from drug addiction. Ann had two children to support with the 35 bucks a day she was making at her construction job. Homeless, hungry, and angry-Ann moved her family to Austin, Texas to live with her sister. A plan that flopped after just a few months and put her and her kids right back on the street.
A cherry on top, Wolfe was hit by a car on a walk. Although, she did receive an injury settlement check. Instead of using the money for her recovery she utilized it to buy a truck her and her kids could live out of. The truck, also, allowed her to get around for more work. Finally, she had enough financial stability to rent a home. At this point, calluses of the past remained and Wolfe carried it with her everywhere-alongside her shotgun, naturally.
One day, at a park, she was approached by boxing trainer Donald Billingsley. Who saw clear potential in Ann to succeed in a sport that defies fear. A concept she was forced to eliminate in order to survive. Ann went on to become one of the best female boxers to walk the Earth. A woman with zero childhood training. Who was dealt a catastrophic hand early in life. This woman harnessed her fury to wield a caliber of mental fortitude that most can’t fathom.
1/29/23
-R