After three years off, Jones won the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s heavyweight title. But it was against Ciryl Gane, not Francis Ngannou, who had held the title before parting ways with the U.F.C.
Serrano, a world champion in seven weight classes, lost to her biggest rival last spring. Now, she’s sparring with men to get back to the level she demands of herself.
Christy Martin, 54, is largely credited with legitimizing female boxing in the modern era. She also secretly lived a tortured life, and her husband nearly killed her.