Diamond, a recent NY State Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, fell into the boxing (and then, in love with boxing) through her late husband. At the time, Jill says, women’s boxing was far from thriving. “Women’s boxing was around before it was sanctioned,” says Diamond. “There have been wonderful women’s fights that have fallen off the radar, with athletes who are so talented but just had bad timing.”In recent years, women’s boxing has grown. The era of Christy Martin or Laila Ali plowing through unworthy opponents is over and for women’s boxing to thrive, promoters will need to create competitive match ups.