Boxer/Actress Appeared In Academy Award-winning Million Dollar Baby
(Canastota, NY – March 2013) The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced female boxing star Lucia Rijker will be in Canastota for festivities planned for the 24th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend set for June 6 to 9.
Rijker will be making her first trip to “Boxing’s Hometown.”
“Lucia Rijker was one of the top female fighters in boxing,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “Boxing fans will surely be excited to see ‘The Dutch Destroyer’ in Canastota for the first time.”
Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Rijker made her boxing debut in 1996. During her career, she posted an undefeated record of 17-0 (14 KOs) and was trained by Hall of Famers Emanuel Steward and Freddie Roach. Rijker holds wins over Chevelle Hallback, Andrea DeShong and Jane Couch among others. She captured the WIBF super lightweight title in 1997 and the IBO light welterweight title in 1998. Rijker portrayed Billie “The Blue Bear” in the 2005 Academy Award winning motion picture Million Dollar Baby, starring alongside Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood.
“I’m honored to be there for Arturo Gatti’s induction. I’ve seen him fight several times and watched him go to war. He gave it his all. His heart and what he contributed to boxing with his exciting fights was a great asset to boxing. And I’m also excited for Jimmy Lennon, Jr. He is the face of boxing. When you see him you think of boxing,” said Rijker.
For more information, visit www.ibhof.com
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