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WOMEN’S BOXING PIONEER MARKS 18 YEARS SINCE SHE OPENED THE DOOR TO WOMEN’S AMATEUR BOXING
Dallas Malloy Is Profiled in Documentary Set for Release in the Fall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Aug. 9, 2011) – Dallas Malloy, who in March 1993 successfully sued USA Boxing to overturn its ban on women’s amateur boxing, is marking 18 years since she opened the door to women boxers in a new documentary set for release this fall.
“I feel honored to be a part of a project that brings attention to not just myself, but to women’s boxing and those who worked so hard to be a part of this sport,” said Malloy, who stars in “I am Dallas Malloy,” a film by noted French filmmaker Antoine Arditti.
The film details the then 16-year-old Malloy, who with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington state, sued USA Boxing, the governing body for amateur boxing in the U.S., to overturn its ban on women’s boxing. The organization, rather than risk a trial, relented and instituted a program for women’s boxing. This action paved the way for women in the sport today.
Herself a piano virtuoso at age 6, Malloy grew up writing poetry, novels and composing music. Then at 15, boxing became her passion after watching the 1954 classic “On the Waterfront,” starring Marlon Brando as a struggling boxer.
“I loved boxing and I just wanted to be given the chance to compete, but USA Boxing said ‘No,’ and that women weren’t allowed to box, so I did what I had to do for myself, and all the other women who love to box,” she said.
Filmmaker Arditti recalled his chance meeting with Malloy in Los Angeles last year which ultimately led to his new film:
“My encounter with Dallas in L.A. in November 2010 immediately gave a meaning to my stay. I was fascinated by her life experiences and seized by the singularity of her way of life,” he said.
“Her steadiness and courage facing critics impressed me. Dallas is a true pioneer far away from ideological claims.”
In his film, Arditti delves into news footage of the teenage Malloy as she endured criticism and taunts by those opposing her and women’s boxing as she went in and out of court to fight for her right to box. Even as a judge approved Malloy’s request for a temporary injunction against USA Boxing, she and her coach scheduled a fight to mark the first sanctioned women’s amateur boxing bout. It was unclear if USA would file its own injunction against her to stop the fight.
But by October 1993, USA Boxing relented and Malloy fought and defeated Heather Poyner of Ferndale, Wash. by unanimous decision before a crowd of 1,200 people at Edmonds Community College gymnasium.
“I remember the people cheering and screaming my name and I realized then that this was a special moment for me and for boxing,” Malloy said.
“In working with Antoine on this film, it brought all those memories back of how difficult it was to go against an establishment that didn’t want women in what they thought was a men’s sport. But I didn’t care. I knew I was going to win.”
Today, Malloy is an accomplished actress, champion bodybuilder, stuntwoman and fitness expert. Her television and motion picture credits include the hit film “Jerry Maguire,” starring Tom Cruise, where she played herself; the TV series “Eli Stone,” “True Blood,” “Last Comic Standing,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Funny or Die Presents,” and many others. She is currently starring in and producing the superhero-themed film “Blond Thunder.”
To learn more, Malloy is online at www.dallasmalloy.com.
Contact: Scribe Services Public Relations
(818) 263-6250
Carlos Martinez
carlos@scribeservicespr.com
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