Record Breaking Goal: Ramsey vs. Byars!
Heavyweight Laura “Lady Ram” Ramsey likes to challenge people’s perceptions in both women’s boxing and beyond.
At age 46, she just won her tenth pro fight with a KO victory over Keela “Star Nzinga” Byars, age 60. That’s right. Her opponent is 60 years old…yes, SIXTY. But don’t let their combined ages fool you. “Age is just a number” as these ladies live their lives challenging the norm.
Orlando, Florida’s Ramsey (10-6, 5 KOs) and Los Angeles, California’s Byars (1-1) squared off in a featured four rounder on Saturday night’s All Star Boxing Promotions’ “Battle of the Rising Stars” show held at the famed Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown L.A. There were 12 fight on the card promoted by Ed Holmes and Pete Hironaka. Twelve bouts but only one female match. And this heavyweight match was a history maker as Ramsey proudly wore a shirt declaring: Guinness World Record: 106 Years Highest Aggregate Age, Female Pro Boxers.
You can do the math. Combine their ages of 46 and 60 and that equals one unique battle. While most ladies in their 60s might be reviewing their AARP membership, looking towards retirement and spending time with their grandkids, Keela Byars chose to step into the war zone–and into the ring. The crowd was stunned when Ramsey vs. Byars was introduced by ring announcer Jim FitzGerald. When their ages echoed through the microphone into the audience, people were shocked and the buzz began to build. And then when their ages sunk in, the crowd began applauding for the two women punchers before the bout even began.
But their application into the heralded Guinness Book of World Records didn’t happen overnight. Both women fought hard to see their scrap come to fruition. And on March 26, the ladies were overjoyed to finally get the chance to lace up after undergoing multiple medicals with the California State Athletic Commission and countless issues that sprung up leading up to the bout. After all, it’s not everyday that a 60 year old (either male OR female) steps inside the ropes for a pro fight. And when the bell rang, the women went at it. The taller and older Byars doesn’t have the experience that Ramsey has but tried valiantly to make up for it with her heart, tenacity and muscle.
Laura first turned pro in 2004 and has won a Global Boxing Union female middleweight title as well as vying for an IBA heavyweight title and a WBA super middleweight belt. “Lady Ram” pressured her foe, backing her into a corner with a barrage of punches. As her fists connected to the chin of her rival, referee Jack Reiss called a stop to the contest awarding Ramsey the KO win at the 2:20 mark in Round 4. While Byars was defeated, it was a personal victory for the 60-year-old. Training out of the SupremeBoxer Boxing Club in Lake Elsinore, her coach Armando Shore told me they aren’t quitting just yet. Time will tell whether Keela gets another shot in boxing.
After their fight, I visited with Ramsey to hear her thoughts on this history-making matchup. At age 46, the younger Ramsey is considered “too old” to box in the every day reality of pro boxing. But seemingly, hearing the word “no” only spurs her on. During our conversation, the athlete (AND math teacher in the Lakeland area) mentions that her daughter is also a pro fighter (Alysia “Lady Rampage” Stevenson); Laura is also a grandmother. And she is also a gym owner (Batteram Boxing & Fitness Academy), trainer, promoter (Battering Ram Fight Promotions) and entrepreneur with a brand new line of T-shirts (“KHAO” for “Knock Him/Her Ass Out”) too.
With a grin, she told me she gave Keela a shirt to wear too. Laura explained that she and Keela actually became good friends during the last few months that these lady warriors have spent in trying to get this fight made. During their clash, a knockdown by Byars was ruled a slip. But Ramsey pulled no punches in giving full respect to her foe, shaking her head with a smile telling me, “No…Keela knocked me down. That wasn’t a slip…She tried to knock my head off!”
As we continued to chat, it became clear that making this fight happen was not easy. “Lady Ram” expressed their patience and diligence in bringing this contest to life. She is grateful for Team Byars and All Star Promotions for getting the bout on the card. They may have been adversaries on the canvas but outside the ring the two ladies were working for a shared goal.
“I am happy that Keelah reached her goal of fighting at age 60,” Laura conveyed to me. “I stuck by her side and I’m glad our fight finally happened!”
Ramsey was surrounded by a large group of well wishers including many family members (from SoCal) she hadn’t seen in over 30 years. “This is like a reunion for us,” she said with a nod.
We then walked over to visit with Keela and her team. The “Star Nzinga” fighter remained stoic and strong even though she didn’t win her fight.
Again, this was a moral victory for Byars, proving that you can still attain goals at any age. While she didn’t win the war, she won her own personal battle. And an interesting thing happened while we were hanging out with Team Byars. Women and young girls came over to greet the 60-year-old and 46-year-old prizefighters. Spectators who had watched them in action came over to tell the pair that they were inspired by their courage and bravery–and the ladies were even asked to autograph ticket stubs by those in the crowd.
In the audience were two young punchers making their way in the sweet science. Unbeaten pro and former amateur star Seniesa Estrada and current amateur fighter and a Golden Gloves champ Lisa Porter were ringside. Paving the way for other females, Ramsey and Byars proved to themselves and those in the crowd that limits should not be placed according to gender or age.
While, realistically, their bout wasn’t exactly a Mayweather highlight reel and far from a “Fight of the Year” contender, the point was made. While their harshest critics may call this four-round contest a “glorified club fight,” the opportunity to trade punches was a sweet victory for these heavyweights.
The sport of women’s boxing has always been in the shadows in this male-dominated sport. The ladies, arguably, do not get the same opportunities, paychecks or level of respect that the men in boxing receive. Critics and naysayers say they just don’t enjoy seeing two ladies punch each other in the faces. Many fans are not interested in seeing “chick fights” in boxing although females in MMA are rivaling their male counterparts in garnering worldwide attention. While women’s bouts are popular in Mexico and other countries, female gladiators in the U.S. are often relegated to undercards, if they’re lucky. And female boxing was only recently “allowed” in Olympic competition.
Small steps. Baby steps but nonetheless, the women continue to try and make strides in the sport. So it’s no wonder that both camps were very appreciative of All Star Promotions and CSAC giving these two ladies time in the spotlight and a chance to shine.
Taking chances is what has gotten Laura Ramsey and Keela Byars this far. Defying the odds, pushing the boundaries of society and breaking records in the pages of history.
Looking back, neither lady will have any regrets knowing they worked hard–and pushed forward–until they were given a fighting chance.
Photos by Michele Chong