Born:Jan. 13, 1974
Bouts: 27
Won: 25
Lost: 1
Draw: 1
KOs:8
Induction: 2025
Born January 13, 1974 in Detroit, MI. A standout high school athlete, Sanders competed in bodybuilding, kick boxing and Tough Woman contests before turning to the sport of boxing.
She won 2002 Detroit Golden Gloves championship before turning pro at The Palace in Auburn Hills, MI the next year. Wins over Layla McCarter, Chevelle Hallback, Lisa Holewyne, Carla Witherspoon, Melissa Del Valle and Belinda Laracuente led to a successful WBC junior welterweight title go against Eliza Olson (W 10). Sanders vacated the belt and after a second win over Holewyne, won the WBC / WIBA welterweight belts. She again vacated the belts to move up a division and one fight later won the vacant WIBA super welterweight title. She added a fourth divisional title with a 2nd round stoppage of Gina Nichols for the IBA middleweight title.
Sanders successfully defended against Valerie Mahfood (W 10) before meeting Holly Holm in back-to-back bouts in 2008, losing a 10-round decision in the first contest and drawing in the rematch, which would also be her last professional bout. Her pro record stands at 25-1-1 (8 KOs)
Mary Jo Sanders
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