Power of Caring
  presented by CIGNA

Week at a Glance

McGregor has nothing to lose in first man-woman bout

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Wednesday October 06, 1999 12:05 PM

Margaret McGregor hopes to make a statement by soundly beating her male opponent Loi Chow. AP

By Patricia Heys, CNN/SI

Boxing is not the sport of progress, and some might say it's barbaric. But the fact that women are entering the ring -- learning how to fight back and protect themselves -- is a sign of progress.

Margaret McGregor and Loi Chow are scheduled to fight October 9 in the first professional woman-man bout in the United States. McGregor, 36, stands 5-foot-5 and weighs 130 pounds. Her opponent, Chow, 34, is 5-2, 125 pounds.

They will box four rounds with much at stake. McGregor has nothing to lose, but the gains could be enormous. If she loses, it will be what everyone expected to happen. If she wins, it's a victory for the gender.

Chow will only take from the match the $1,500 both fighters are paid. He's cocky, predicting a quick victory. But a win over McGregor won't change his career. However, a loss could.

This is not a Billie Jean King-Bobby Riggs type match-up. King and Riggs had stellar tennis careers, but McGregor and Chow are no-names who will be remembered only for this fight. McGregor could become superwoman. Chow could become the man who lost to a woman.

Serena Williams -- The U.S. Open champion defeated her older sister, Venus, for the first time in her career to win the Grand Slam Cup. Danielle Fotopoloulos -- The forward scored two goals as the U.S. women's soccer team defeated South Korea 5-0 in its opening match of the U.S. Women's Cup '99 tournament. Annika Sorenstam -- The 1998 Player of the Year birdied four of the final seven holes to win the New Albany Golf Classic. Shea Ralph -- The UConn guard underwent minor surgery on her right knee. Doctors say she may be ready to play by the season-opener on November 21. Alina Kabaeva -- The Russian won the all-around individual championship, the ribbon event and the ball event at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships. Michele Kwan -- The Olympic silver medalist held off defending world champion Maria Butyskaya to win the Keri Lotion Figure Skating Classic. Florence Griffith-Joyner -- Even after her death the Olympic champion is surrounded by controversy. Her mother has filed a wrongful death suit against Flo-Jo's husband, Al Joyner. Jana Novotna -- The 1998 Wimbledon champion ended her 12-year career Tuesday with a loss to Silvia Farina at the Porsche Grand Prix. Natalie Williams -- The Utah Starzz center scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as the U.S. Women's National team defeated the WNBA Select Team 99-73.

In 1994, the Iowa State women's basketball team drew fewer than 700 fans a game. Now, a month before the season begins, the Cyclones have sold 7,000 season tickets. Iowa State's 1999 season ended with a loss to Georgia in the region finals.

Once again Los Angeles' Orlando Woolridge became the latest in a long line of former WNBA coaches. In the 1999 season, Marynell Meadors was fired by the Charlotte Sting, and Frank Layden quit as coach of the Utah Starzz. Woolridge, third in the Coach of the Year voting, led the Sparks to their best record in three seasons. He didn't comment on the reason for his departure. Adjustment On September 18, Katie Hnida became the first woman to suit up for an NCAA Division I football game. The kicker is fifth on the team's depth chart, so she doesn't expect to kick this season. She will have to try out for the team again in the spring.

LPGA: Betsy King Classic, Kutztown, Pennsylvania, Oct 7-10 WTA: Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Filderstadt, Germany; Brazil Ladies Open, Sao Paulo, Brazil Soccer: NIKE U.S. Women's Cup, Oct. 3-10

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Ask the Glance. CNN/SI's Women's Week at a Glance appears each Wednesday.

 

Related information
Multimedia
Visit Multimedia Central for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.