Boxing pioneer enourages next generation of women

The first ever women's world boxing champion is still influencing the sport from her residential care home.

Barbara Buttrick, from Cottingham, near Hull, sparred against many of the greats in men's boxing at the 5th Street gym at Florida's Miami Beach and became world champion in 1957.

Now 94, she has been sharing her story with boxers Tallulah Pulling and Lehanna Smith.

The pair, who both box with Track and Fitness Boxing Club in Beverley, enjoy many opportunities in the amateur game against other women that were not available to Ms Buttrick 70 years ago.

Tallulah Pulling, Barbara Buttrick and Lehanna Smith talk boxing

Ms Pulling, who boxes for England Youth Women, said meeting Ms Buttrick had been inspiring.

"When she was younger, there were so many barriers for women's boxing," she said.

"It must have been so difficult so it's impressive to see how she's worked around that."

At just 4ft 11in (1.5m), Ms Buttrick became known as The Mighty Atom and went on to fight more than 1,000 exhibition matches after winning 30 professional fights, drawing one and losing just one before retiring in 1960.

After her career in the ring ended, she stayed in the sport and founded the Women's International Boxing Federation, eventually becoming its president in the mid-1990s.

Ms Smith said Ms Buttrick had blazed a trail for women.

"For her there was no such thing as amateur boxing," she said.

"It was all pretty much being thrown into the deep end, so I think what she's done has really helped to give us opportunities in the amateur side of boxing."

Ms Buttrick said times had changed, adding: "It's all open to them now. They've accepted the fact that [women] are there and they're going to box."

Ms Pulling is representing England Youth Women at the Three Nations in Cardiff on 8 and 9 June.

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Barbara Buttrick said she was pleased women were now accepted in boxing