Lucia Rijker

Lucia Rijker (born December 6, 1967 in Amsterdam) is a Dutch professional female boxer, kickboxer, and actress.

Rijker has been dubbed by the press and opponents "The Most Dangerous Woman in the World". [ [http://www.womenboxing.com/Rijker.htm Women's Boxing: LUCIA RIJKER ] ] She can speak four languages and is a Buddhist. Dedicating time daily to meditation and chanting. [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05EFDE173BF931A25756C0A9669C8B63|title=FILM REVIEW; Gotta Psych Yourself Up To Win at This Game |first=Stephen |last=Holden |publisher=www.nytimes.com|date=2000-05-12|accessdate=2008-06-24] Her mother was born in the Netherlands and her father is from Suriname.

Rijker started her martial arts career at the early age of six, when she began training in Judo. A year later, she was part of the Dutch National Softball TeamFact|date=February 2008. At fourteen, after picking up fencing a year earlier, Lucia became the Netherlands Junior Champion of that sportFact|date=February 2008.

As of February 2007, she was undefeated in the ring; her boxing record is 17-0 (14 K.O.'s), and her kickboxing record is 37-0 (25 K.O.'s), conquering five world titles in the process. She met her only defeat in October 1994 at an exhibition Muay Thai kickboxing match against male opponent, World Champion Somchai Jaidee of New Zealand (a 2nd-round K.O.).

Rijker has been on the cover of numerous magazines including "Inside Kung Fu". As a professional boxer, she has won the WIBF Welterweight Title, and has beaten name fighters such as Marcela Acuña (5th-round K.O.; Acuña was 0-1 going into the fight, and 19-4 as of June 2005), and Deborah "Sunshine" Fettkether (10th-round decision; Fettkether was 8-4-3 going in).

After winning her first 14 fights, but failing to secure a match with Martin, Rijker stepped away from boxing in 1999 to pursue a career in Hollywood. She co-starred as Billie 'The Blue Bear' in 2004's Oscar-winning, female boxer-based film "Million Dollar Baby". She was also featured in the documentary film "Shadow Boxers". She played a minor role in "Rollerball (2002 film)" and had a brief cameo in the season 2 finale of "The L Word" as Dana's trainer. She returned to "The L Word" in Season 5 as Dusty, Helena's cellmate in prison. Rijker has also been cast as Romulan communications officer in the upcoming film "Star Trek".

She returned to the ring in February 2002, beating Jane Couch (20-4 going in; 25-6 as of December 2004) by decision (8 rounds) on June 21, 2003 for her 16th win. Win number 17 was a 10-round decision over "Sunshine" Fettkether on May 20, 2004.

Rijker and Christy Martin were scheduled to fight on July 30, 2005 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Major U.S. promoter Bob Arum (Top Rank Boxing's head) had made their match the main event of a card (with otherwise male boxing matches) called "Million Dollar Lady". Each woman was guaranteed $250,000 (U.S.), with the winner receiving an extra $750,000. Unfortunately, Rijker would not realize this million-dollar dream. On July 20, 2005, it was announced that she had ruptured an Achilles tendon while training for the fight; recovery time was estimated to be 4-7 months. The match was ultimately cancelled. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2112834 ESPN - Entire card off after Rijker ruptures Achilles tendon - Boxing ] ]

Rijker stated that although not retired as a professional boxer, she would only consider one more fight - a bout with Laila Ali. [cite web|url=http://www.doghouseboxing.com/DHB/Horgan_090506.htm|title=Lucia Rijker: Hey Laila, "I’m not officially retired"|first=Dan|last=Horgan|publisher=www.doghouseboxing.com|date=2006-09-05|accessdate=2008-02-04]

She remains busy giving lectures and seminars to athletes and people from all walks of life to perform their best, while still maintaining her top physical form and a strict diet.

External links

* [http://www.luciarijker.net/ Official Home Page]
*imdb name|id=0726900|name=Lucia Rijker

References