Vaia Anne Zaganas is a Canadian former boxer. She was the first World Boxing Association female world champion and is a member of the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame.
Career After discovering the sport at an early age, Zaganas went on to win the Canadian National Championships title in 1998. As part of Canada's National team, she compiled an impressive record of 36–4, winning fights in Canada, the United States and Europe. Other highlights of her amateur career include winning a second national title, twice winning gold at the U.S.A. vs Canada dual meet, twice winning gold at the U.S. national Blue and Gold event and being named "Most Outstanding Boxer" of the tournament. In 2000, she won Canada's "Rookie of The Year" award for best performance in international competition, male or female.
Before turning professional, Zaganas was ranked number one in the world by AIBA in her weight division. She moved to Las Vegas, Nevada later that year to pursue a professional boxing career. Her success in the ring continued, as she won the IFBA Straw-weight title. In 2003 she lost to Elena Luz Rodriguez in a rematch. She rebounded a year when she made history by becoming the first ever female world champion crowned by the World Boxing Association.
Zaganas was inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame in 2025.
Later career After her boxing career, Zaganas became a stunt performer and actress.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes19Win16–3Stephanie DobbsUD10Apr 8, 200418Win15–3Yumi TakanoMD6Mar 13, 200417Loss14–3Gracie RocaMD4Dec 11, 200316Win14–2Sarah GoodsonUD6Nov 22, 200315Win13–2Deidre Yumi HamaguchiUD6Nov 4, 200314Win12–2Nikki VerbeckTKO2 (?)Oct 25, 200313Win11–2Tracey StevensTKO2 (8)Aug 22, 200312Win10–2Sarah GoodsonUD6Jul 25, 200311Loss9–2Elena Luz RodriguezUD6May 24, 200310Win9–1Hollie DunawayTKO2 (4)Apr 26, 20039Win8–1Nina AhlinUD6Apr 18, 20038Win7–1Terri MossUD6Mar 27, 20037Win6–1Stephanie DobbsUD6Feb 15, 20036Win5–1Sarah GoodsonTKO8 (12)Jun 15, 20025Win4–1Deidre Yumi HamaguchiUD6May 15, 20024Win3–1Deidre Yumi HamaguchiUD4Feb 16, 20023Win2–1Janet WilliamsTKO1 (4)Oct 26, 20012Win1–1Crystal ParkerTKO1 (4)Oct 12, 20011Loss0–1Elena Luz RodriguezSD4Jul 8, 2001
See also List of female boxers
References
External links
Vaia Zaganas - Profile at Women Boxing Archive Network