Kaliesha West


Kaliesha West is a professional female boxer and the former 3 time WBO Female Bantamweight and IFBA super Bantamweight Boxing World Champion. She is the first professional boxer in history, between both male and female, to become a World Champion from Inland, CA. She was born on February 11, 1988, in South Haven, Michigan. West currently resides in Moreno Valley California, a small suburb between Riverside and Palm Springs. West is a Motivational Speaker and implements her courage on being a Women's Right's advocate for Women's Boxing. She shares her passionate beliefs that equal opportunities for female fighters should be given to those who have worked hard, and accomplished the greatest of challenges in their profession whether male/female. On September 18, 2010, West won the WBO title, becoming the first world boxing champion from the Inland Empire. Her father, Juan West, is her boxing trainer and manager. She was also a contestant on the CW reality show Capture, she placed 4th out of 12 teams. Currently, West is delivering her voice through social media networks, campaign, and protests across the United States in hopes to generate a following from those who believe in equal opportunities for women in sports. Some compare her representation in the sport of Women's Boxing to that of Billie Jean King.

Multi-cultural heritage

Kaliesha West is an athlete of multi-cultural heritage. Her father, Juan West, is African American and European descent. Her mother, Melissa, is of Mexican and Korean heritage.

Early years

West was first introduced to boxing while attending her father's boxing fights. However, her father was reluctant to involve her in the sport. Juan West tried to appease his 10-year-old daughter by showing her the proper boxing stance and how to punch. He gave her difficult training exercises to discourage her. When she persisted, Juan took her to a gym to fight a much bigger opponent, and she lost. Kaliesha refused to give up boxing and continued her training.

High school

She attended Canyon Springs High School in Moreno Valley, where she started freshmen year as Varsity Cross Country and track. She participated in boxing activities outside of school.

Amateur career

Kaliesh West began her amateur career in 1998 at the age of 10. West fought for 8 years and won numerous tournaments and honors, including
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, Junior Olympic championships, 2003, 2004, 2005 Silver Gloves championships, 2002 125 lb. National Golden Gloves championships.
2004 USA Championships
2005 Blue & Gold Championships
2005 PAL Championships
2006 Kaliesha West furthered her boxing career by turning professional just 2 weeks after her 18th birthday. West turned professional after being advised that Women will not be allowed to compete in the 2008 Olympics.
Her overall amateur record was 98-10.

West turns professional

Just after turning eighteen years old, West made her pro debut on February 23, 2006 at San Manuel Indian Casino in San Bernardino, California, after knocking her to the floor in round one, West won a four-round unanimous decision over former World Title holder Suzannah Warner.

West wins the WBO World Title

On September 18, 2010, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, Kaliesha West won the vacant WBO Bantamweight title with a seventh round TKO over Angel Gladney of South Carolina at 0:59 in a scheduled ten-rounder. She made boxing history, as she became the first boxing champion from the Inland Empire. West also became the first female to win a world title on a Golden Boy Promotions fight card.
West successfully defended her WBO title for three consecutive years traveling the world against Mexico, Argentina, and USA.

West wins the IFBA World Title

On October 6, 2012, at the Finish Line Sports Bar and Grill in Pomona, California, Kaliesha West won the vacant IFBA Junior Featherweight title with a 10 round unanimous decision over Christina Ruiz of Texas. Kaliesha successfully moved up to the next weight division to become a two division world champion. West also became the first female to headline for Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions.

Public viewing

In 2013, Kaliesha participated as a contestant with her friend Matt on the first season of Capture, an American reality competition television series on The CW loosely inspired by The Hunger Games.
West was also featured as an athlete promoting Sony's new waterproof mp3 Walkman.

Championships and accomplishments

2010 Proclamation from the city of Moreno Valley.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
20WinChristina RuizUD2012-10-06Finish Line Sports Grill, Pomona, California, USAvacant International Female Boxers Association World super bantamweight title
19WinClaudia Andrea LopezMD2012-04-14Auditorio Ernesto Rufo, Rosarito, Baja California, MexicoWBO World female bantamweight title
18WinJessica VillafrancaUD2011-08-20Casino Black Pyramid, Manzanillo, Colima, MexicoWBO World female bantamweight title
17Draw Ava KnightSD2011-06-18Sports Arena, Pico Rivera, California, USAWBO World female bantamweight title
16WinAngel GladneyKO2010-09-18Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USAvacant WBO World female bantamweight title
15WinVannessa GuimaraesTKO2010-06-26Jockey Club, Lima, Peru
14DrawAnita ChristensenMD2010-03-26Arena Midt, Kjellerup, Denmark
13Draw Ada VelezMD2010-01-21San Manuel Indian Casino, Highland, California, USA
12WinRolanda AndrewsUD2009-08-01Agua Caliente Casino, Rancho Mirage, California, USA
11Loss Ava KnightUD2008-11-18Table Mountain Casino, Friant, California, USA
10WinElizabeth CervantesKO2008-07-23Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, USA
9WinElizabeth MorenoUD2008-06-27Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, USA
8WinFlor VerdugoTKO2008-03-29Gimnasio Oscar 'Tigre' García, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
7WinCarly BateySD2007-08-17Harrah's Rincon Casino, Valley Center, California, USA
6WinElizabeth CervantesUD2007-03-30Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, USA
5WinStella NijhofUD2006-11-18Conference Center, Monterey, California, USA
4WinMaria ContrerasUD2006-07-08Conference Center, Monterey, California, USA
3WinElizabeth CervantesUD2006-05-19Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, USA
2WinTonia CravensUD2006-03-25Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, USA
1WinSuzannah WarnerUD2006-02-23San Manuel Indian Casino, San Bernardino, California, USA