Malissa Smith is a Women's Boxing Historian and Author of A History Of Women's Boxing. Acclaimed by The Ring as "the bible of women's boxing," Smith's book is the first comprehensive history of the sport. Rich in detail and exhaustively researched, this book illuminates the struggles, obstacles, and successes of the women who fought--and continue to fight--for respect in their sport. The book explores all aspects of women's participation from the earliest contests in eighteenth-century London on through the 2012 Olympics when women's boxing was officially added to the Games, and beyond. A History Of Women's Boxing is a must-read for boxing fans, sports historians, and for those interested in women's history.

A History of Women's Boxing available on Amazon -Link

Malissa Smith's love affair with boxing began as a young girl but wasn't fully realized until she walked into Gleason's Gym in January of 1997 and began to train. Boxing not only awakened her, but truly uncaged her soul, bringing her to her other passion, writing.

Malissa Smith in Gleason's Gym

A continued presence in the early morning hours at the gym, Smith created the girlboxing.org blog as a labor of love back in October 2010. She documents all aspects of women in boxing as well as to chronicle her own journey of motivation and self-care. Gleason's has also been her writing home, having penned a portion of her critically acclaimed book, A History Of Women's Boxing at the gym.

Malissa Smith in Gleason's Gym

As a women's boxing historian, she sits on the board of the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame, is a member of the The Ring's prestigious Women's Boxing Rating Panel, and is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame's Women's Boxing Modern and Trailblazer selection and voting panels.

Now in her lat-60s, Smith continues to perfect her boxing prowess a few mornings a week while cheering on her gym mates she calls the "AM boxing crew." She writes and speaks regularly for various media outlets and podcasts, and makes guest appearances and speeches at public events across the country. She is also known widely on social media as @Girlboxingnow.