Vaia Zaganas
Vaia Anne Zaganas is a Canadian former boxer. She was the first World Boxing Association female world champion and is a member of the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame.
Career
After discovering the sport at an early age, Zaganas went on to win the Canadian National Championships title in 1998. As part of Canada's National team, she compiled an impressive record of 36–4, winning fights in Canada, the United States and Europe. Other highlights of her amateur career include winning a second national title, twice winning gold at the U.S.A. vs Canada dual meet, twice winning gold at the U.S. national Blue and Gold event and being named "Most Outstanding Boxer" of the tournament. In 2000, she won Canada's "Rookie of The Year" award for best performance in international competition, male or female.Before turning professional, Zaganas was ranked number one in the world by AIBA in her weight division. She moved to Las Vegas, Nevada later that year to pursue a professional boxing career. Her success in the ring continued, as she won the IFBA Straw-weight title. In 2003 she lost to Elena Luz Rodriguez in a rematch. She rebounded a year when she made history by becoming the first ever female world champion crowned by the World Boxing Association.
Zaganas was inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame in 2025.
Later career
After her boxing career, Zaganas became a stunt performer and actress.Professional boxing record
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 19 | Win | 16–3 | Stephanie Dobbs | UD | 10 | Apr 8, 2004 | Wyndham Inner Harbor Hotel, Glen Burnie, Maryland, U.S. | Won inaugural WBA mini-flyweight title |
| 18 | Win | 15–3 | Yumi Takano | MD | 6 | Mar 13, 2004 | Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 17 | Loss | 14–3 | Gracie Roca | MD | 4 | Dec 11, 2003 | Fantasia Club, Woodside, New York, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 14–2 | Sarah Goodson | UD | 6 | Nov 22, 2003 | Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 13–2 | Deidre Yumi Hamaguchi | UD | 6 | Nov 4, 2003 | Martin's West, Woodlawn, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 12–2 | Nikki Verbeck | TKO | 2 | Oct 25, 2003 | Sam's Town Casino, Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 11–2 | Tracey Stevens | TKO | 2 | Aug 22, 2003 | Hilton Hotel, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 10–2 | Sarah Goodson | UD | 6 | Jul 25, 2003 | Creek Nation Gaming Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. | |
| 11 | Loss | 9–2 | Elena Luz Rodriguez | UD | 6 | May 24, 2003 | Hilton Hotel, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 9–1 | Hollie Dunaway | TKO | 2 | Apr 26, 2003 | The Strat, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | Nina Ahlin | UD | 6 | Apr 18, 2003 | Tachi Palace, Lemoore, California, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Terri Moss | UD | 6 | Mar 27, 2003 | War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 6–1 | Stephanie Dobbs | UD | 6 | Feb 15, 2003 | Flamingo Hilton, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 5–1 | Sarah Goodson | TKO | 8 | Jun 15, 2002 | Sky Ute Casino, Ignacio, Colorado, U.S. | Won vacant |
| 5 | Win | 4–1 | Deidre Yumi Hamaguchi | UD | 6 | May 15, 2002 | Treasure Chest Casino, Kenner, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 3–1 | Deidre Yumi Hamaguchi | UD | 4 | Feb 16, 2002 | Hilton Hotel, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 2–1 | Janet Williams | TKO | 1 | Oct 26, 2001 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |
| 2 | Win | 1–1 | Crystal Parker | TKO | 1 | Oct 12, 2001 | Pala Casino Spa Resort, Pala, California, U.S. | |
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Elena Luz Rodriguez | SD | 4 | Jul 8, 2001 | Stateline Casino, West Wendover, Nevada, U.S. |