Two Ladies of Boxing

The two ladies of boxing (pictured), both originally from the North of England, couldn’t have had a more different background. Pat Woodward was a dancer before meeting, and marrying, professional boxer and coach Tex Woodward.

BARBARA BUTTRICK

Barbara Buttrick, the first modern era female professional boxer and booth fighter. Barbara, is now President of the W.I.B.F. which she and Jimmy Finn founded.

With the aim of getting the W.I.B.F. recognised in the U.K. Jimmy and Barbara met up with Tex Woodward at his Spaniorum Farm Gym and invited him to become Chairman of the W.I.B.F. (UK)

There was little reluctance to accept the offer by Tex. He was already working with female boxers, and had done in the past. He was only too pleased to become involved, introducing Jimmy Finn to John Morris, the then Chairman of The British Boxing Board of Control.

John politely listened to all that Jimmy and Tex had to say, but it took a court ruling, in favour of granting Jane Couch the right to become the first B.B.B.of C. licenced female boxer, to open the gate for others to follow.

After an initial onslaught of publicity, the forming of the W.I.B.F. (UK) Committee, some all-women’s boxing shows, and coaching courses at Spaniorum Gym that attracted women boxers from far and wide, differences of opinion caused the W.I.B.F. (UK) to fade away.

PAT WOODWARD

Pat Woodward could never have known how her life would change after meeting Tex Woodward. With ten years touring the U.K., and abroad, as a professional dancer in variety shows and pantomimes, Pat was suddenly involved in the boxing and fitness world.

Marrying Tex after just five months of meeting, she quickly learnt that it was her turn to stay at home, while her R.A.F P.T.Instructor husband, professional boxer and squash coach, did the training and travelling.

Understanding the entertainment world, and the fitness and movement skills, it wasn’t long before Pat was watching Tex coach, and when asked for her opinion on a boxers movement, made quick and accurate assessments.

Years later at active Spaniorum Farm Gym, Pat has taken her turn at videoing boxers, doing seating plans for boxing shows, organising advertising, printing tickets for shows, and handling the emails, meeting boxers of all standards, not least Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno.

At the same time, deeply involved in the local amateur dramatic group “The Village Players” at Pilning, where she revelled playing the part of pantomime ‘Dame’ etc, Pat had a recent health set-back that was a sign to ease up on her commitments.

Now, changing her role to the equally important task of “Prompt” Pat is not easing up “dramatically“!