Boxing

I am the boxing Hall of Famer who stood up to Don King to put on the biggest fights in the world

DAZN Staff

DAZN

Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 live on DAZN PPV - BUY NOW

December 4 marks the birthday of Lorraine Chargin, a pioneering figure in the boxing world and a 2009 inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Known for her meticulous attention to detail and sharp business acumen, Lorraine worked alongside her husband, legendary promoter Don Chargin, to bring countless bouts to life.

She was not a fighter, but she made things happen. Here are five things you might not know about this trailblazing woman:

One of very few women in the Hall of Fame

Lorraine Chargin is one of only four women inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in the 'Women Non-Participants' category.

This rare honour reflects her extraordinary contributions to the sport where she broke countless barriers in an industry that has traditionally been dominated by men.

Her obituary in the LA Times tells a story of how she feared nobody: “She famously stood up to brash promoter Don King when he barged into Arco Arena in Sacramento without a credential in 1995 to watch future heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis. ‘If you don’t start acting like a gentleman, I’ll throw you out of here,’ Chargin told King…”

A constant behind the scenes in boxing's golden era

Lorraine and Don Chargin formed a formidable team, which helped shape boxing during its golden years. They promoted iconic fighters like Bobby Chacon, Tony 'The Tiger' Lopez, and Loreto Garza, staging unforgettable bouts that captured the hearts and minds of fans worldwide.

Predominantly staging and promoting fights out of Sacramento, the Chargin’s began their work as promotors by staging an ostrich race at San Jose Speedway. Legend has it that when one of the ostrich jockeys arrived for the event drunk Lorraine cajoled her diminutive husband to ride a bird – with some hilarious consequences.

The 'First Lady of Boxing Promotion'

Dubbed the 'First Lady of Boxing Promotion,' Lorraine played a crucial role in every aspect of the business, from managing finances to organising fight cards.

Her sharp negotiation skills and ability to connect with fighters earned her respect across the sport. The Chargin’s were involved with countless major fights, including what at the time was the most lucrative card in history — the fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007 — which they co-promoted.

A life of partnership and passion

Born in 1930 in Connecticut, Lorraine married Don Chargin in 1957. Their partnership was one of mutual respect and shared ambition, lasting over 50 years until her passing in 2010.

Together, they built a legacy that continues to inspire future generations. Commenting on the Chargin team, boxing publicist Bill Caplan said. ‘They were synonymous - Don did the matchmaking; Lorraine did the detail work.’

Lorraine Chargin’s legacy is a testament to her dedication and love for the sport of boxing. As we remember her on her birthday, we honour her incredible impact on the industry and celebrate the trail she blazed for women in the sport.

Watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN PPV - Buy Now

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 and the full undercard will be broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View worldwide in over 200 countries.

You can buy the PPV right now for £24.99 in the UK / $39.95 in the US, which comes with a seven day free trial of DAZN. For more information, prices in your region and to buy now, click here.

Being a PPV event means this is a one-off payment, with no contract or future extra costs.

The Usyk vs. Fury fight and all DAZN content can be watched anywhere and everywhere on any device via the DAZN App. Watch on smart TV's, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser.

Error code: %{errorCode}