Annie Newton

Annie Newton was London's first and principal woman boxer, claimed during her time to be “the greatest woman boxer in the world."

Boxing career

Newton was the niece of ‘Professor’ Andrew Newton, lightweight boxing champion (1888-1890) and boxing instructor.

She was unwell as a child. Following a visit to her uncle's gymnasium he was shocked by her pale appearance and began to train her to improve her health, which she later claimed saved her from an early death. He taught her to punch the bag and later, “for his amusement”, to spar. She reportedly boxed every day for fourteen years.

After losing two husbands in the First World War, she was left to raise her daughter Daisy alone as a widow.

In June 1925, she took part in a boxing tournament at the Alcazar, Edmonton. She was in the ring for over half an hour sparring with three men, giving them two rounds each.

Attempts were made to hold the match on 14 February at Manor Hall, Hackney. Rev. W. Evans wrote to the management to prevent this event from taking place. She offered to instead meet three male boxers in two-round bouts, but this too was cancelled, and Newton was only allowed to give an exhibition of her skill with the punchball.

Newton, who had been publicly sparring all her life without objection, was surprised by and couldn't understand the public outcry. She countered concerns about women boxing, telling a reporter “All this talk about boxing being ‘degrading’ and ‘risky’ and ‘too hard work’ strikes me as very comic. Is it any more degrading, or half as hard work as scrubbing floors? Is it any more risky than working in a munitions factory[?]”

The story was reported internationally, sometimes as a source of amusement.

Reports suggest the original match went ahead surreptitiously.

Despite the scandal, Newton remained defiant “In a way, of course, the decision will make no difference, because I shall go on with my sparring partners and enjoy myself no end. I could not give it up for anything in the world.” She predicted “while I may not see it, or you either, the day will come, like it or not, when the world will see women in the ring.”