Mia Rosales St. John (born June 24, 1967) is an American professional boxer and former World Boxing Council (WBC) champion in the super welterweight division. She was also the IBA and IFBA lightweight champion. She is also a model, businesswoman, and taekwondo champion.
Early life St. John, a Mexican-American with family roots in Zacatecas, Mexico, was born in San Francisco, California. She attended California State University, Northridge, earning a degree in psychology. While a student, she compiled a taekwondo record of 27–1, was awarded a black belt, and worked as a model to fund her education.
She married actor Kristoff St. John. They had two children, son Julian (1989–2014) and daughter Paris. The marriage ended in divorce.
Professional boxing career At the age of 29, St. John decided to become a professional boxer. In her first bout on February 14, 1997, she knocked out Angelica Villain in 54 seconds of the first round, earning her the nickname "The Knockout."
St. John, whose first manager was Art Lovett, in partnership with his brother Stewart Lovett, would eventually sign a contract with Don King and then Top Rank Boxing, and was featured on the undercard of Oscar De La Hoya bouts. She had 23 fights and won 22 with one draw, 3 KOs and 9 TKOs. All fights were four-rounders and most were televised gaining her national attention. St. John was crowned the "Queen of the Four-Rounders", a title she hated. St. John's opponents were selected by Top Rank without her input.
After her twentieth bout, St. John was injured in a skiing accident that threatened possible amputation of one of her legs. She underwent two operations to remove a blood clot.
In November 1999, St. John appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine and in an 11-page pictorial. She wanted to show that she was a feminine woman as well as an athlete. Critical of her career, the boxing press added the term "Busty Bunny Boxer" in describing St. John.
St. John did not renew her contract with Top Rank in 2001, becoming her own manager and promoter. On November 9, 2001, she lost her first fight to Rolanda Andrews with a TKO in the second round, St. John's first contest after parting with Top Rank.
Eduardo and Roberto Garcia St. John turned to trainers Eduardo and Roberto Garcia to learn proper punching techniques, footwork, and defensive strategies. St. John won her next four bouts, one by TKO.
On December 6, 2002, St. John fought top boxer Christy Martin. Martin had a record of 44 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws. The press laughed at the match-up and predicted St. John would be knocked out early in the bout. St. John, coming up two weight classes, lost the bout but fought toe-to-toe with Martin all ten rounds for a credible performance.
WBC, IFBA and IBA lightweight championships On June 12, 2005, and after 47 professional bouts and 9 years, St. John was given a title bout with Liz Drew. St. John won by unanimous decision, earning the International Female Boxers Association lightweight world title. She followed this win with a unanimous decision over Donna Biggers in August, winning the IBA continental lightweight title.
St. John has fought all over the world, including Beijing, China, where she won her IBA Championship. After accumulating an unheard of boxing record of nearly 60 pro fights, on June 14, 2008, St. John fulfilled her dream of fighting in her mother's home country of Mexico. She fought one of the toughest fights of her career and became the WBC international boxing champion of the world at the age of 40.
In November 2008, she was awarded by the Governor of Zacatecas, Mexico, an outstanding achievement award for her role in sports and humanitarianism. The WBC also presented her with the 2008 "WBC Goodwill Ambassador" Award.
In November 2010, Rep. Grace Napolitano joined St. John and LA Laker Ron Artest for an official mental health and suicide prevention training at Napolitano's district office in Santa Fe Springs. Artest and St. John have joined Napolitano to promote the Mental Health in Schools Act, legislation she authored which would increase federal funding for mental health therapists in schools.
She also spoke at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, where President Barack Obama made a speech at the CHCI's annual Gala.
As well as Congress, St. John speaks in schools and juvenile halls on the importance of education and overcoming hardship. She speaks of her own battles with mental illness, addiction, poverty and overcoming it all, to become a three time international boxing champion.
On August 14, 2012, St. John fought Christy Martin in a long-awaited rematch. Her dream of sixteen years finally materialized and at the age of 45, she captured the WBC super welter weight championship of the world.
On November 10, 2012, St. John was defeated by Tiffany Junot in Bakersfield, California, losing her WBC Female Super Welterweight Championship in a unanimous decision.
On April 14, 2016, St. John had her last boxing bout in New Zealand on the Kali Reis vs. Maricela Cornejo undercard as the curtain call. This was her retirement bout, winning by TKO in the 4th round.
In August 2018, St. John admitted to the use of prohibited substances including steroids and masking agents in preparation for around 20 bouts, stating that "everyone does it and everyone in boxing knows it."
MMA career On January 26, 2008, in Honolulu, Hawaii, St. John's fighting career took yet another turn. "Returning to her roots" in the martial arts, she competed in her first mixed martial arts (MMA) contest and, with a combination of kicks and punches, defeated her opponent Rhonda Gallegos with a first-round knockout.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes65Win49–14–2 Lisa LewisTKO4 (4), Apr 16, 2016 64Win48–14–2 Tammy FranksUD4Oct 23, 2015 63Loss47–14–2 Tori NelsonTKO2, 0:42May 17, 2014 62Loss47–13–2 Cecilia BrækhusTKO3, 1:38Apr 13, 2013Arena Nord, Frederikshavn, Denmark61Loss47–12–2 Tiffany JunotUD10Nov 10, 2012 Home Base Building, Bakersfield, California, USA60Win47–11–2 Christy MartinUD10Aug 14, 2012 Table Mountain Casino, Friant, California, USA59Win46–11–2 Tammy FranksUD6Oct 16, 2010 Santa Ana Star Casino, Bernalillo, New Mexico, USA58Loss45–11–2 Rola El-HalabiTKO5, 0:43Mar 20, 2010 Kuhberg Halle, Ulm, Germany57Loss45–10–2 Brooke DierdorffUD8Apr 4, 2009 Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico56Win45–9–2 Darys Esther PardoUD8Dec 20, 2008 Parque Andrés Quintana Roo, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico55Win44–9–2 Amy YuratovacMD8Jun 14, 2008 Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico54Loss43–9–2 Brooke DierdorffSD6Apr 20, 2007 Star Plaza Theater, Merrillville, Indiana, USA53Loss43–8–2 Jaime ClampittUD10Feb 9, 2007 Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA52Loss43–7–2 Jelena MrdjenovichUD10Jun 23, 2006 Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada51Win43–6–2 Shelby WalkerTKO3Apr 1, 2006 Palo Duro Creek Country Club, Nogales, Arizona, USA50Loss42–6–2 Holly HolmUD10Dec 8, 2005 Isleta Casino & Resort, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA49Win42–5–2 Donna BiggersUD10Aug 20, 2005 Capital Gym, Beijing, China48Win41–5–2 Liz DrewUD10Jun 12, 2005 Ohkay Casino, San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico, USA47Loss40–5–2 Jessica RakoczyTKO2Feb 10, 2005 Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, USA46Win40–4–2 Joy IrvinTKO2, 1:14Feb 3, 2005 HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, USA45Win39–4–2 Janae ArchuletaTKO1, 1:46Dec 18, 2004 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USA44Win38–4–2 Lana AlexanderUD4Nov 6, 2004 Grand Casino Coushatta, Kinder, Louisiana, USA43Win37–4–2 Janae ArchuletaUD4Oct 23, 2004 Activity Center, Maywood, California, USA42Win36–4–2 Janae ArchuletaUD4Oct 15, 2004 Casino Del Sol, Tucson, Arizona, USA41Win35–4–2 Ragan PudwillUD4Aug 13, 2004 Buffalo Chip Campground, Sturgis, South Dakota, USA40Win34–4–2 Talia SmithUD4Jul 29, 2004 Oakland Arena, Oakland, California, USA39Win33–4–2 Melissa YanasTKO3, 0:34Jul 23, 2004 Club Avalon, Denver, Colorado, USA38Win32–4–2 Lana AlexanderTKO4, 1:57May 8, 2004 Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, USA37Loss31–4–2 Jessica RakoczyUD8Apr 15, 2004 Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, USA36Win31–3–2 Ragan PudwillUD4Feb 7, 2004 Grand Casino Coushatta, Kinder, Louisiana, USA35Win30–3–2 Franchesca AlcanterUD4Jan 24, 2004 Bank of America Center, Boise, Idaho, USA34Win29–3–2 Jessica MohsUD4Oct 10, 2003 Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, USA33Draw28–3–2 Olivia GerulaPTS6Sep 19, 2003 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, New Town, North Dakota, USA32Win28–3–1 Jessica MohsUD4Jul 11, 2003 City Center Pavilion, Reno, Nevada, USA31Loss27–3–1 Jenifer AlcornUD8Apr 19, 2003 Selland Arena, Fresno, California, USA30Win27–2–1 Jessica MohsUD6Mar 15, 2003 Club Life, Dallas, Texas, USA29Loss26–2–1 Christy MartinUD10Dec 6, 2002 Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan, USA28Win26–1–1 Elisha OlivasTKO3, 1:52Aug 10, 2002 Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, USA27Win25–1–1 Kristy FollmarMD4May 18, 2002 Silver Star Casino, Choctaw, Mississippi, USA26Win24–1–1 Janae ArchuletaMD4Apr 7, 2002 Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, USA25Win23–1–1 Gina GreenwaldUD4Jan 18, 2002 Sports Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA24Loss22–1–1 Rolanda AndrewsTKO2, 1:47Nov 8, 2001 Sunset Station, San Antonio, Texas, USA23Draw22–0–1 Imelda AriasMD4Jul 28, 2001 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USA22Win22–0 Linda TenbergUD4May 13, 2001 The Hangar, West Wendover, Utah, USA21Win21–0 Amy YerkesTKO3, 1:49Mar 25, 2001 Greyhound Park, Phoenix, Arizona, USA20Win20–0 Sherri ThompsonTKO3, 1:55Jan 20, 2001 19Win19–0 Amy YerkesTKO4, 1:18Dec 3, 2000 Plaza Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA18Win18–0 Linda RobinsonUD4Jun 17, 2000 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USA17Win17–0 Franchesca AlcanterUD4May 19, 2000 Playboy Mansion, Beverly Hills, California, USA16Win16–0 Kristin AllenMD4Feb 26, 2000 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA15Win15–0 Kelly WhaleyUD4Jan 22, 2000 Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, California, USA14Win14–0 Sharon SirlsTKO1Dec 11, 1999 Dixie Junior College, Saint George, Utah, USA13Win13–0 Kelley DowneyTKO4, 1:40Sep 18, 1999Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA12Win12–0 Maryanne HaikUD4Jun 26, 1999 Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA11Win11–0 Chris SepulvadoTKO1, 1:30May 8, 1999 Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA10Win10–0 Amanda SkeltonUD4Feb 13, 1999 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA9Win9–0 Brandy Mae VaughnKO2Dec 12, 1998 Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, USA8Win8–0 Brenda FelterSD4Sep 19, 1998 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA7Win7–0 Brenda FelterUD4Aug 15, 1998 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA6Win6–0 Chris SepulvadoKO2May 30, 1998 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA5Win5–0 Dolores LiraUD4Nov 28, 1999 Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California, USA4Win4–0 Dawn WimerTKO1Aug 5, 1997 Nashville, Tennessee, USA3Win3–0 Contina FrederickTKO3Jun 21, 1997 Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, USA2Win2–0 Dawn GrahamTKO1, 1:32Apr 19, 1997 Celebrity Theater, Phoenix, Arizona, USA1Win1–0 Angelica VillianKO1Feb 14, 1997 Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, USA
Mixed martial arts record
| Win | align=center| 1–0 | Rhonda Gallegos | KO (punches) | X-1 Champions | | align=center|1 | align=center|0:44 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
References
External links
Split Decisions: Official Documentary on Mia St. John