Carol Polis

Carol B. Polis is recognized as the first woman licensed to judge professional boxing matches, marking a significant milestone in sports history. Polis entered the world of boxing through her then-husband, Bob Polis, a former boxing referee, who introduced her to the sport and taught her how to score bouts. Her scoring abilities were noticed by Zack Clayton, the state athletic commissioner at the time, who encouraged her to continue judging. She was later appointed by the governor of Pennsylvania.

Throughout her career, Polis judged 143 professional boxing contests, including 27 championship fights across nine countries. Her work placed her ringside for notable bouts featuring athletes such as Mike Tyson and Larry Holmes. Polis judged matches in countries including Japan, Italy, Argentina, Denmark, and France, and served as a judge during the filming of the movie "Rocky V." She officiated the WBA's vacant world junior middleweight title fight between Mike McCallum and Sean Mannion at Madison Square Garden and was assigned to the main event between Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Mustafa Hamsho, alongside Eva Shain, in what was set to be the first world title fight judged by two women.

Polis navigated a career in professional sports while facing skepticism and resistance, offering insight into both sports and gender dynamics. Her experiences have made her a sought-after speaker on topics such as women in sports, gender equity, and overcoming adversity. Polis also appeared on the TV shows "What's My Line?" and "To Tell The Truth," and made an appearance in "Rocky V" as a judge. She retired after judging a bout between Gabriel Rosado and Ariel Espinal at South Philadelphia High School in Philadelphia.

In addition to her boxing career, Polis has shared her personal journey with breast cancer, discussing resilience and the importance of perseverance. She authored the memoir "The Lady is a Champ" with co-author Rich Herschlag, detailing her experiences in boxing and beyond. Polis has been inducted into the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame as a judge. She continues to share her story through speaking engagements, providing audiences with an insider's perspective on the sport of boxing and the challenges faced by women in athletics.