Fredia Gibbs
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Fredia “The Cheetah” Gibbs (born July 8, 1964) a.k.a. “The Most Dangerous Woman in the World” is a sports icon and Muay Thai kickboxing legend. Gibbs is a 3 Time World Champion in Kickboxing and the first African American female to hold the world kickboxing championship for the International Sport Karate Association. She is known for having a very balanced attack as a kick-boxer that includes a ferocious overhand right, a mighty left, and lighting quick feet.
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[edit] Early years
Fredia Gibbs was born just south of Philadelphia in a tough part of Chester, Pennsylvania. Growing up in the Fairground projects was tough for Gibbs who was constantly being messed with by neighborhood kids and classmates. Since her mother taught her not to fight back, Gibbs frequently found herself running from neighborhood bullies. When she wasn’t running from bullies, the All American & Most Valuable Player Gibbs was busy excelling in basketball and track at her high school, so it’s only appropriate that she earned the nickname “The Cheetah.”
After high school, Gibbs attended Temple University in Philadelphia where she was the recipient of two athletic scholarships for her excellence in both basketball and track. She later attended Cabrini College on a basketball scholarship focusing on her grades and her game. The basketball phenomenon was invited to the United States Olympic Training Center located in Colorado Springs to try out for the women's USA Olympic Basketball Team where she was cut during the second tryouts. Gibbs was also selected Kodak All American for three consecutive years for basketball at Cabrini College where she majored in Marketing. She later went on to play professional basketball in Germany, averaging almost 30 points, 15 rebounds & 10 assist a season. Her hometown recently inducted her into Chester High School's “Basketball Hall of Fame" and named their track team after Gibbs now called "Chester Cheetah's." [1]
[edit] Muay Thai Kickboxing career
In 1990, after moving to North Hollywood, California, “The Cheetah” adopted kickboxing as her sport under the instructions of Rubin Urquidez, David Krapes & Bangkok’s Saekson Janjira of Muay Thai Academy of North Hollywood. Her Muay Thai manager was Felice Levair & her publicist was William Peele of Los Angeles, Ca. The move to kickboxing was a natural one for Gibbs who had first starting kicking at the age of 11 (and received her black belt at the age of 23) while studying martial arts under the instruction of Master Rick Berri, Nick Nichols, and her Uncle William Groce of Quiet Storm Karate Club in Chester, Pennsylvania. Additionally, Gibbs won her first World Tae Kwon Do Championship Tournament in St. Petersburg, FL, beating the 2 time returning champion from Puerto Rico.
It didn’t take long for Gibbs to burst into the kickboxing world as a fierce contender and great female warrior. She amassed an impressive kickboxing record of 16-0-1 with 15 KO’s. It should be noted that Gibbs’ only draw came from an exhibition fight with a male. Her greatest accomplishment as a professional kickboxer came when she shocked the European circuit by winning the ISKA World Championship with a knockout during her fight with the heavily favored Valerie Henin in "The Battle of the Masters" PPV show. The defeat in April 1994 made Gibbs the first African American female to hold the world kickboxing championship for the International Sport Karate Association.[2] Although Henin had previously been known as “the most dangerous woman in the world’ in the European kickboxing circles, Gibbs took claim to the name.
[edit] Boxing career
After her kickboxing career, Gibbs moved on to the world of professional boxing achieving a record of 9-2-1 (2 K0). She made her debut in January 1997 by winning in a decision over Maria Fortaleza Recinos. In her next fight, Gibbs went on to beat Daniele Doobenen by outscoring her in a four round fight. Later that year she managed to stop two of her opponents, Gail Grandchamp and Annaliese Kolan, by relying on her strength, aggressiveness, and consistency.
Gibbs got her first shot at a boxing title March 21, 1998. Despite opening a cut over her opponent Leah Mellinger’s left eye, Gibbs was defeated for the first time in her career. Fortunately, the defeat wasn’t enough to stop Gibbs; she fought back by moving on to win her next two fights against Olivia Gerula and Hannah Fox, both by a six round unanimous decision.
After taking a brief break from boxing, “The Cheetah” returned to the ring June 8, 2001 for a fight against Susan Howard at the Hollywood Park Casino. After winning the four round fight in a unanimous decision, Gibbs proved she was still a great female warrior.
On November 16, 2001 Gibbs went on to battle it out with Sumya Anani, IFBA Intercontinental Junior Welterweight and IBA Lightweight champion who had previously beaten Christy Martin. The exciting 10 round fight ended in a majority draw, leaving both fighters with their first draw and the WIBA World title vacant.
Gibbs' next fight against Kanicia "Queen Bee" Eley put her on the same card as Laila Ali in the hometown of Ali's father Muhammed Ali. After fighting four rounds against Kanicia Eley, Gibbs was declared the winner. She then decided to go up against Sumya Anani again, less than two years after their original match. Unfortunately, the rematch had a disappointing end for Gibbs who injured her right hand in the first round leaving Anani to win by TKO. Also for the past 7 years Gibbs has been the sparring partner, trainer & corner person for Mia St. John.[3]
[edit] Post Fight career
Fredia “The Cheetah” Gibbs currently resides in San Diego, California where she works as a Coach at a gym. It specializes in Muay Thai Kickboxing, Boxing, and Jiu-jitsu. It's a fun and tough environment that appeals to people of all fitness levels from the beginner to the advanced competitor. Fredia believes that working out is a life changing experience and takes pride in motivating people who seek training as an alternate to the “traditional gym.” Gibbs continues to train jiu-jitsu and aspires to move on to MMA fighting.
[edit] Outside the Ring
In addition to excelling as a professional athlete, Gibbs has also had success as an actress and a model. She has been featured in many magazines, including Jet, Upscale, KO Boxing, Sports Illustrated for Women, and Black Belt Magazine.
Film & TV Credits
- In 2001, Gibbs played in-the-ring villain Tanya “Terminator” Tessario in the film Knockout (made by Hollywood’s DMG Productions).
- In 1996, Gibbs appeared as herself on an episode of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” In the episode (titled Boxing Helena), Will is the victim of ridicule after being KO’d by a girl at a health club.[4]
[edit] References
[edit] See also
- List of female mixed martial artists
- [1]AutographedToYou/Fredia Gibbs
