Mia St. John
# Mia St. John

Mia Rosales St. John (born June 24, 1967) is an American professional boxer and former World Boxing Council (WBC) champion in the super welterweight division. She is also the IBA and IFBA lightweight champion. She is also a model, businesswoman, and taekwondo champion.

## Early life

St. John, a Mexican-American with family roots in Zacatecas, Mexico, was born in San Francisco, California. She attended California State University, Northridge, earning a degree in psychology. While a student, she compiled a taekwondo record of 27–1, was awarded a black belt, and worked as a model to fund her education.

She married actor Kristoff St. John. They had two children, son Julian (1989–2014) and daughter Paris. The marriage ended in divorce.

## Professional boxing career

At the age of 29, St. John decided to become a professional boxer. In her first bout on February 14, 1997, she knocked out Angelica Villain in 54 seconds of the first round, earning her the nickname "The Knockout."

St. John, whose first manager was Art Lovett, in partnership with his brother Stewart Lovett, would eventually sign a contract with Don King and then Top Rank Boxing, and was featured on the undercard of Oscar De La Hoya bouts. She had 23 fights and won 22 with one draw, 3 KOs and 9 TKOs. All fights were four-rounders and most were televised gaining her national attention. St. John was crowned the "Queen of the Four-Rounders", a title she hated. St. John's opponents were selected by Top Rank without her input.

After her twentieth bout, St. John was injured in a skiing accident that threatened possible amputation of one of her legs. She underwent two operations to remove a blood clot.

In November 1999, St. John appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine and in an 11-page pictorial. She wanted to show that she was a feminine woman as well as an athlete. Critical of her career, the boxing press added the term "Busty Bunny Boxer" in describing St. John.

St. John did not renew her contract with Top Rank in 2001, becoming her own manager and promoter. On November 9, 2001, she lost her first fight to Rolanda Andrews with a TKO in the second round, St. John's first contest after parting with Top Rank.

### Eduardo and Roberto Garcia

St. John turned to trainers Eduardo and Roberto Garcia to learn proper punching techniques, footwork, and defensive strategies. St. John won her next four bouts, one by TKO.

On December 6, 2002, St. John fought top boxer Christy Martin. Martin had a record of 44 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws. The press laughed at the match-up and predicted St. John would be knocked out early in the bout. St. John, coming up two weight classes, lost the bout but fought toe-to-toe with Martin all ten rounds for a credible performance.

### WBC, IFBA and IBA lightweight championships

On June 12, 2005, and after 47 professional bouts and 9 years, St. John was given a title bout with Liz Drew. St. John won by unanimous decision, earning the International Female Boxers Association lightweight world title. She followed this win with a unanimous decision over Donna Biggers in August, winning the IBA continental lightweight title.

St. John has fought all over the world, including Beijing, China, where she won her IBA Championship. After accumulating an unheard of boxing record of nearly 60 pro fights, on June 14, 2008, St. John fulfilled her dream of fighting in her mother's home country of Mexico. She fought one of the toughest fights of her career and became the WBC international boxing champion of the world at the age of 40.

In November 2008, she was awarded by the Governor of Zacatecas, Mexico, an outstanding achievement award for her role in sports and humanitarianism. The WBC also presented her with the 2008 "WBC Goodwill Ambassador" Award.

In November 2010, Rep. Grace Napolitano joined St. John and LA Laker Ron Artest for an official mental health and suicide prevention training at Napolitano's district office in Santa Fe Springs. Artest and St. John have joined Napolitano to promote the Mental Health in Schools Act, legislation she authored which would increase federal funding for mental health therapists in schools.

She also spoke at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, where President Barack Obama made a speech at the CHCI's annual Gala.

As well as Congress, St. John speaks in schools and juvenile halls on the importance of education and overcoming hardship. She speaks of her own battles with mental illness, addiction, poverty and overcoming it all, to become a three time international boxing champion.

On August 14, 2012, St. John fought Christy Martin in a long-awaited rematch. Her dream of sixteen years finally materialized and at the age of 45, she captured the WBC super welter weight championship of the world.

On November 10, 2012, St. John was defeated by Tiffany Junot in Bakersfield, California, losing her WBC Female Super Welterweight Championship in a unanimous decision.

On April 14, 2016, St. John had her last boxing bout in New Zealand on the Kali Reis vs. Maricela Cornejo undercard as the curtain call. This was her retirement bout, winning by TKO in the 4th round.

In August 2018, St. John admitted to the use of prohibited substances including steroids and masking agents in preparation for around 20 bouts, stating that "everyone does it and everyone in boxing knows it."

## MMA career

On January 26, 2008, in Honolulu, Hawaii, St. John's fighting career took yet another turn. "Returning to her roots" in the martial arts, she competed in her first mixed martial arts (MMA) contest and, with a combination of kicks and punches, defeated her opponent Rhonda Gallegos with a first-round knockout.

## Professional boxing record

| 65 fights | 49 wins | 14 losses |
| - | - | - |
| By knockout | 19 | 5 |
| By decision | 30 | 9 |
| Draws | 2 | 2 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 65 | Win | 49–14–2 | Lisa Lewis | TKO | 4, 1:37 | Apr 16, 2016 | The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand | |
| 64 | Win | 48–14–2 | Tammy Franks | UD | 4, 2:00 | Oct 23, 2015 | Mayflower Renaissance Hotel, Washington, District of Columbia, USA | |
| 63 | Loss | 47–14–2 | Tori Nelson | TKO | 2, 0:42 | May 17, 2014 | Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, Virginia, USA | Women's International Boxing Association World welterweight title |
| 62 | Loss | 47–13–2 | Cecilia Brækhus | TKO | 3, 1:38 | Apr 13, 2013 | Arena Nord, Frederikshavn, Denmark | WBA World female welterweight title WBO World female welterweight title WBC World female welterweight title |
| 61 | Loss | 47–12–2 | Tiffany Junot | UD | 10, 2:00 | Nov 10, 2012 | Home Base Building, Bakersfield, California, USA | WBC World female super welterweight title |
| 60 | Win | 47–11–2 | Christy Martin | UD | 10, 2:00 | Aug 14, 2012 | Table Mountain Casino, Friant, California, USA | vacant WBC World female super welterweight title |
| 59 | Win | 46–11–2 | Tammy Franks | UD | 6, 2:00 | Oct 16, 2010 | Santa Ana Star Casino, Bernalillo, New Mexico, USA | |
| 58 | Loss | 45–11–2 | Rola El-Halabi | TKO | 5, 0:43 | Mar 20, 2010 | Kuhberg Halle, Ulm, Germany | Women's International Boxing Association World lightweight title Women's International Boxing Federation World lightweight title |
| 57 | Loss | 45–10–2 | Brooke Dierdorff | UD | 8, 2:00 | Apr 4, 2009 | Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico | WBC International female lightweight title |
| 56 | Win | 45–9–2 | Darys Esther Pardo | UD | 8, 2:00 | Dec 20, 2008 | Parque Andrés Quintana Roo, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico | WBC International female lightweight title |
| 55 | Win | 44–9–2 | Amy Yuratovac | MD | 8, 2:00 | Jun 14, 2008 | Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico | vacant WBC International female welterweight title |
| 54 | Loss | 43–9–2 | Brooke Dierdorff | SD | 6, 2:00 | Apr 20, 2007 | Star Plaza Theater, Merrillville, Indiana, USA | |
| 53 | Loss | 43–8–2 | Jaime Clampitt | UD | 10, 2:00 | Feb 9, 2007 | Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA | vacant International Women's Boxing Federation World lightweight title |
| 52 | Loss | 43–7–2 | Jelena Mrdjenovich | UD | 10, 2:00 | Jun 23, 2006 | Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | vacant Women's International Boxing Federation World lightweight title |
| 51 | Win | 43–6–2 | Shelby Walker | TKO | 3 | Apr 1, 2006 | Palo Duro Creek Country Club, Nogales, Arizona, USA | |
| 50 | Loss | 42–6–2 | Holly Holm | UD | 10, 2:00 | Dec 8, 2005 | Isleta Casino & Resort, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA | International Boxing Association female super lightweight title |
| 49 | Win | 42–5–2 | Donna Biggers | UD | 10, 2:00 | Aug 20, 2005 | Capital Gym, Beijing, China | International Female Boxers Association World lightweight title |
| 48 | Win | 41–5–2 | Liz Drew | UD | 10, 2:00 | Jun 12, 2005 | Ohkay Casino, San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico, USA | vacant International Female Boxers Association World lightweight title |
| 47 | Loss | 40–5–2 | Jessica Rakoczy | TKO | 2, 2:00 | Feb 10, 2005 | Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, USA | |
| 46 | Win | 40–4–2 | Joy Irvin | TKO | 2, 1:14 | Feb 3, 2005 | HP Pavilion, San Jose, California, USA | |
| 45 | Win | 39–4–2 | Janae Archuleta | TKO | 1, 1:46 | Dec 18, 2004 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USA | |
| 44 | Win | 38–4–2 | Lana Alexander | UD | 4, 2:00 | Nov 6, 2004 | Grand Casino Coushatta, Kinder, Louisiana, USA | |
| 43 | Win | 37–4–2 | Janae Archuleta | UD | 4, 2:00 | Oct 23, 2004 | Activity Center, Maywood, California, USA | |
| 42 | Win | 36–4–2 | Janae Archuleta | UD | 4, 2:00 | Oct 15, 2004 | Casino Del Sol, Tucson, Arizona, USA | |
| 41 | Win | 35–4–2 | Ragan Pudwill | UD | 4, 2:00 | Aug 13, 2004 | Buffalo Chip Campground, Sturgis, South Dakota, USA | |
| 40 | Win | 34–4–2 | Talia Smith | UD | 4, 2:00 | Jul 29, 2004 | Oakland Arena, Oakland, California, USA | |
| 39 | Win | 33–4–2 | Melissa Yanas | TKO | 3, 0:34 | Jul 23, 2004 | Club Avalon, Denver, Colorado, USA | |
| 38 | Win | 32–4–2 | Lana Alexander | TKO | 4, 1:57 | May 8, 2004 | Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, USA | |
| 37 | Loss | 31–4–2 | Jessica Rakoczy | UD | 8, 2:00 | Apr 15, 2004 | Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, USA | |
| 36 | Win | 31–3–2 | Ragan Pudwill | UD | 4, 2:00 | Feb 7, 2004 | Grand Casino Coushatta, Kinder, Louisiana, USA | |
| 35 | Win | 30–3–2 | Franchesca Alcanter | UD | 4, 2:00 | Jan 24, 2004 | Bank of America Center, Boise, Idaho, USA | |
| 34 | Win | 29–3–2 | Jessica Mohs | UD | 4, 2:00 | Oct 10, 2003 | Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Arizona, USA | |
| 33 | Draw | 28–3–2 | Olivia Gerula | PTS | 6, 2:00 | Sep 19, 2003 | 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, New Town, North Dakota, USA | |
| 32 | Win | 28–3–1 | Jessica Mohs | UD | 4, 2:00 | Jul 11, 2003 | City Center Pavilion, Reno, Nevada, USA | |
| 31 | Loss | 27–3–1 | Jenifer Alcorn | UD | 8, 2:00 | Apr 19, 2003 | Selland Arena, Fresno, California, USA | |
| 30 | Win | 27–2–1 | Jessica Mohs | UD | 6, 2:00 | Mar 15, 2003 | Club Life, Dallas, Texas, USA | |
| 29 | Loss | 26–2–1 | Christy Martin | UD | 10, 2:00 | Dec 6, 2002 | Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan, USA | |
| 28 | Win | 26–1–1 | Elisha Olivas | TKO | 3, 1:52 | Aug 10, 2002 | Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, USA | |
| 27 | Win | 25–1–1 | Kristy Follmar | MD | 4, 2:00 | May 18, 2002 | Silver Star Casino, Choctaw, Mississippi, USA | |
| 26 | Win | 24–1–1 | Janae Archuleta | MD | 4, 2:00 | Apr 7, 2002 | Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, USA | |
| 25 | Win | 23–1–1 | Gina Greenwald | UD | 4, 2:00 | Jan 18, 2002 | Sports Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA | |
| 24 | Loss | 22–1–1 | Rolanda Andrews | TKO | 2, 1:47 | Nov 8, 2001 | Sunset Station, San Antonio, Texas, USA | |
| 23 | Draw | 22–0–1 | Imelda Arias | MD | 4, 2:00 | Jul 28, 2001 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USA | |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Linda Tenberg | UD | 4, 2:00 | May 13, 2001 | The Hangar, West Wendover, Utah, USA | |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Amy Yerkes | TKO | 3, 1:49 | Mar 25, 2001 | Greyhound Park, Phoenix, Arizona, USA | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Sherri Thompson | TKO | 3, 1:55 | Jan 20, 2001 | MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Amy Yerkes | TKO | 4, 1:18 | Dec 3, 2000 | Plaza Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Linda Robinson | UD | 4, 2:00 | Jun 17, 2000 | Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USA | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Franchesca Alcanter | UD | 4, 2:00 | May 19, 2000 | Playboy Mansion, Beverly Hills, California, USA | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Kristin Allen | MD | 4, 2:00 | Feb 26, 2000 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Kelly Whaley | UD | 4, 2:00 | Jan 22, 2000 | Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, California, USA | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Sharon Sirls | TKO | 1 | Dec 11, 1999 | Dixie Junior College, Saint George, Utah, USA | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Kelley Downey | TKO | 4, 1:40 | Sep 18, 1999 | Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Maryanne Haik | UD | 4, 2:00 | Jun 26, 1999 | Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Chris Sepulvado | TKO | 1, 1:30 | May 8, 1999 | Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Amanda Skelton | UD | 4, 2:00 | Feb 13, 1999 | Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Brandy Mae Vaughn | KO | 2 | Dec 12, 1998 | Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, USA | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Brenda Felter | SD | 4, 2:00 | Sep 19, 1998 | Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Brenda Felter | UD | 4, 2:00 | Aug 15, 1998 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Chris Sepulvado | KO | 2 | May 30, 1998 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, USA | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Dolores Lira | UD | 4, 2:00 | Nov 28, 1999 | Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California, USA | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Dawn Wimer | TKO | 1 | Aug 5, 1997 | Nashville, Tennessee, USA | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Contina Frederick | TKO | 3 | Jun 21, 1997 | Sun Dome, Tampa, Florida, USA | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Dawn Graham | TKO | 1, 1:32 | Apr 19, 1997 | Celebrity Theater, Phoenix, Arizona, USA | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Angelica Villian | KO | 1 | Feb 14, 1997 | Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, USA | |

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :

| 1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
| - | - | - |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| By submission | 0 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 1–0 | Rhonda Gallegos | KO (punches) | X-1 Champions | January 26, 2008 | 1 | 0:44 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
