Maureen Shea


Maureen Anne Shea Carranza is an American professional boxer. She held the WBC interim female featherweight title in 2011 and the IFBA super bantamweight title from 2014 to 2015, and challenged once for the WBA female super featherweight title in 2009. She is known as the "Real Million Dollar Baby" because of her work as the main sparring partner for Hilary Swank in her preparation for the 2004 movie, Million Dollar Baby.

Early life

Maureen was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. Born in 1981, she was raised by a strict Irish father, a now retired NYPD detective. Maureen's mother, of Mexican heritage, worked in the airline industry, allowing Maureen to frequently travel. Moe spent much of her youth growing up in the Bronx and in the Guadalajara, Mexico. In the amateurs, Maureen was known and respected for her boxing. First training out of NYBG with Luigi Olcese, she was eventually brought to Gleasons to train with well respected trainer Hector Roca. It was a gradual process in Shea's growth and preparation for the game of professional boxing.
In 2004, when Hilary Swank came looking for Hector Roca to help her get ready for the movie Million Dollar Baby, Roca paired Swank with Maureen Shea. Maureen was Hilary's main sparring partner in preparation for Swank's award-winning role in the movie. When the international media found out that Swank attended all of Maureen's amateur bouts, Maureen was thrust into the spotlight. It was Maureen's boxing, however, that captured the attention.
Her nicknames include "The Bronx Bombshell", "The Real Million Dollar Baby", and "Moe".

Professional career

Maureen Shea of the Bronx, New York, is the former IFBA Jr Featherweight World Champion, former NABF Festherweight Champion, former NABA Featherweight Champion and former Interim WBC Featherweight Champion. Shea is one of the top professional female boxers in the world.

WBA Super Featherweight Championship

In February 2009, Maureen lost her first world title attempt to Kina Malpartida. This bout was held at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.

Interim WBC Featherweight Championship

On December 12, 2011 Shea beat Colombian Diana Ayala to win the Interim WBC Featherweight Champion. This bout was held at the Estadio Centenario in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.

NABA Featherweight Champion

On March 15, 2014 Shea beat Nohime Dennison of Albuquerque New Mexico as the Main Event on Top Players Promotions Ice Vs Fire 2 in Oxnard California to win the vacant NABA featherweight title

IFBA Jr Featherweight World Title

On July 11, 2014 Shea tko'd Angel Gladney of South Carolina to win the IFBA Jr Featherweight World Title. Fighting for the second time as the Main Event on Top Players Promotions Ice vs Fire 3, this was a historical fight being the FIRST ever World Title Fight in Ventura County.
Maureen defended her IFBA world title as the co-feature to the Shane Mosely Vs Ricardo Mayorga main event on August 29, 2015 on Pay-Per-View versus Yulihan Luna of Mexico. This bout resulted in a draw and was the first time a female fight was featured on Pay-Per-View in over a decade.
Maureen has fought as a professional at Madison Square Garden three times, under such distinguished promoters such as Top Rank, Star Boxing, and was the first female to fight on Lou Dibella's Broadway Boxing series. Her fights have been televised on Pay Per View, Azteca Television, Telemundo, Madison Square Garden Network, and SNY.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
36Loss31–3–1 Perla LomeliSD6 2024-08-23Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
35Win31–2–1 Beáta DudekUD8 2024-08-10Polar Park, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
34Win30–2–1 Calista SilgadoUD8 2022-05-07Carnesecca Arena, Queens, New York, U.S.
33Win29–2–1 Martina HorgaszTKO6 2020-01-17Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida, U.S.
32Win28–2–1 Edina KissUD6 2019-10-18Seneca Casino & Hotel, Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.
31Win27–2–1 Dayanna GonzálezUD6 2019-04-12Grand Hotel Tijuana, Tijuana, Mexico
30Win26–2–1 Nazly MaldonadoMD4 2017-11-04Gasmart Stadium, Tijuana, Mexico
29Win25–2–1 Zenny SotomayorUD8 2015-12-18Gimnasio de Mexicali, Mexicali, Mexico
28Draw24–2–1 Yulihan LunaSD10 29 Aug 2015Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained IFBA super-bantamweight;
For IBF super-bantamweight title
27Win24–2 Angel GladneyTKO4 2014-07-11Performing Arts Center, Oxnard, California, U.S.Won vacant
26Win23–2 Nohime DennissonUD10 2014-03-15Performing Arts Center, Oxnard, California, U.S.Won vacant NABA featherweight title
25Win22–2 Lesly MoralesUD6 2013-10-23Salon Las Pulgas, Tijuana, Mexico
24Win21–2 Silvia JimenezUD4 2013-07-13Forum Tecate, Tijuana, Mexico
23Win20–2 Alma Lizeth de la Cruz RivasUD6 2013-05-24Caliente Hipódromo, Tijuana, Mexico
22Win19–2 Silvia ZunigaUD4 2013-05-01Salon Las Pulgas, Tijuana, Mexico
21Win18–2 Diana AyalaMD10 2011-12-10Estadio Centenario, Los Mochis, MexicoWon Interim WBC featherweight title
20Win17–2 Silvia RamirezTKO5 2011-10-29Palenque de la Feria, Colima, Mexico
19Win16–2 Yara CabanasTKO2 2011-10-08Los Cabos Municipality, Mexico
18Win15–2 Liliana MartinezTKO3 2010-07-30Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.Won vacant NABF featherweight title
17Win14–2 Norma FarisTKO3 2010-05-14Paradise Theater, The Bronx, New York, U.S.
16Loss13–2 Lindsay GarbattTKO7 2009-08-01Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, U.S.
15Loss13–1 Kina MalpartidaTKO10 Feb 21, 2009Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.For WBA super-featherweight title
14Win13–0 Ellsha CleffmanTKO1 2008-09-10PAL Gym, Yonkers, New York, U.S.
13Win12–0 Jessica MohsTKO2 2007-09-05Cipriani Wall Street, New York City, New York, U.S.
12Win11–0 Olivia GerulaUD6 2007-07-06Eldorado Resort Casino, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
11Win10–0 Eva Lidia SilvaTKO3 2007-03-16Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
10Win9–0 Elizabeth MorenoUD6 2007-01-25Paradise Theater, The Bronx, New York, U.S.
9Win8–0 Rocio VazquezTKO3 2006-12-14Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
8Win7–0 Tammy FranksUD6 2006-11-10Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
7Win6–0 Olga HeronUD6 2006-07-20Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York, U.S.
6NC5–0 Kim ColbertNC6 2006-05-19Manhattan Center, New York City, New York, U.S.Originally a split decision win for Colbert,
changed to a No Contest after Colbert tested
positive for marijuana in a post fight drug test
5Win5–0LeAnne VillarealUD4 2006-03-16Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
4Win4–0Sarina HaydenTKO3 2006-02-10Iona College, New Rochelle, New York, U.S.
3Win3–0Darnella BarnesUD4 2005-10-08The Venue, Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
2Win2–0Katherine ApplewhiteTKO1 2005-09-17The Venue, Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
1Win1–0Camille CassonTKO1 2005-08-26Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.

Personal life

She has overcome many obstacles, including being the victim of abuse, to achieve her current success. Of Irish and Mexican descent, Maureen has a large fan base of both ethnicities and is a crowd favorite. She currently lives in Oxnard, California and trains at The Boxing Laboratory, home of Vasyl Lomenchenko.

Million Dollar Baby

Highly recognized for her work as Hilary Swank's main sparring partner for her award-winning role in "Million Dollar Baby", Maureen has utilized her ring success and become successful in mainstream media.
In 2008, Maureen was nominated by MTV as one of their "2008 Toughest Coaches", for her role in their hour long season opening episode of "Made". In that show, Maureen guided a young lady who had no boxing experience; and in six weeks, prepared her for her first competitive amateur bout with a decision win. Later that year she was also nominated by PETA for their Sexiest Vegetarian award.
Maureen has successfully translated her ring experience to ringside, having worked as a boxing analyst alongside highly respected commentators Al Bernstein, and Rich Marotta, on Top Rank "Latin Fury" PPV. She has also guest commentated on the MSG Network during the 2006 NY Golden Gloves, and currently hosts her own live TV show, "Shea's Corner" on Bronx Net Television. Shea has done work as President of Pandora Promotions, Motivational/Inspirational speaker, journalist, TV/radio personality, and Boxing Commentator.

Team Shea

  • Advisor: Luigi Olcese
  • Head Trainer: Derik Santos
  • Cutman: Danny Milano/Carlos Vargas
  • Strength/conditioning: Phil Daru - Asst. Jose Rojas