University of Tennessee Athletics
WARD RETAINS WORLD TITLE WITH TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT OF RIVERS
December 05, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 7, 2002
CLEVELAND, Ohio
On Friday night at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Women's International Boxing Association World Heavyweight Champion and former Lady Vol basketball player Vonda Ward (15-0, 14 knockouts) successfully defended her title with a technical knockout (TKO) over Kathy Rivers (12-3) at 1:41 of the eighth round. The bout was broadcast nationwide as part of the "Friday Night Fights" telecast on ESPN2.
From the opening bell, the 6'5" Ward utilized a strong left jab as well as her significant height and reach advantages to thoroughly dominate the stocky yet diminutive Rivers. After Ward controlled the action for much of the bout, the end came midway through the eighth round as the champion forced the tired challenger into the corner with a succession of power punches to the chin and body. As Rivers stopped exchanging and bent over in a desperate attempt to escape the constant barrage of leather from the champion, the referee was forced to step in and stop the contest.
The triumph over Rivers marked the first defense of the world title Ward gained in a 10-round unanimous decision over Monica McGowan on June 16, 2002, in Canton, Ohio. The knockout was the 14th in 15 professional bouts for Ward, who has scored eight career first-round stoppages, and marked only the second time she has been forced to go longer than four rounds in disposing of a foe.
As a Lady Vol, Ward helped Tennessee to the 1995 NCAA Final Four in Minneapolis, Minn., where UT lost in the national final to an undefeated Connecticut squad. The former center was a member of four Southeastern Conference championship squads (SEC Tournament title in 1992 and SEC regular-season champs 1993, 1994, 1995) and helped the Orange & White post an overall record of 122-11. During her four years at UT, Ward was part of the NCAA record 69-game home winning streak at the Thompson-Boling Arena, as her teams never lost a game in the friendly confines at Knoxville.
At Tennessee, she played in 125 games for Coach Pat Summitt's squad, scoring 835 points, nabbing 695 rebounds and posting an overall field-goal percentage of .454.
