Ann-Marie is a professional boxer who has overcome tremendous odds just to be walking today. In 1995 she was a passenger in a devastating car wreck returning from a volleyball competition at the Empire State Games. The driver of the vehicle was killed and Ann-Marie suffered a punctured lung, broken pelvis, hip, 2 broken legs, a shattered arm, broken ribs, and severe nerve damage. She was not expected to live the night, let alone ever walk again. Being ever the determined athlete, she proved everyone wrong and immediately took up an aggressive rehabilitation program knowing in her heart she would play sports again. Against all medical odds, Ann-Marie returned to the playing fields and went on to get a sport scholarship and play volleyball for Seton Hall University in 1996. Encouraged by the amazing ability of the human body and mind, Ann-Marie found her new passion and studied to become one of Westchester’s premier personal trainers. In 1999, she entered her first boxing gym stronger than ever. Ann-Marie is often a guest speaker in schools, hospitals, and gyms, sharing her story of beating the odds and encouraging others to never give up on their dreams. Her story has appeared in newspapers and on television. Facing the tragic events with courage and a “Never Say Die” attitude, Ann-Marie has influenced kids and other athletes to persevere against their personal obstacles and believe in themselves. After a successful stint as an amateur boxer, winning both the fabled NY Golden Gloves and gaining a National Golden Gloves title in 2001, she turned professional with the dreams of becoming a world champion. Ann-Marie has been featured in the Advocate magazine, GO NYC magazine, Westchester magazine, The Journal News, In Town magazine, Girlfriends magazine, Curve magazine, The NY Times and many more. In November of 2006 Ann-Marie’s dreams came true. In Edmonton, Canada, as the main event of a Pay Per View all female card, “A Ring of Their Own,” Ann-Marie defeated the hometown favorite, Jelena Mrdjenovich, to earn the prestigious WBC Light-weight Championship World title! Leading up to the this fight, the national award winning PBS show “In the Life,” followed Ann-Marie around for several months highlighting her in a documentary about her struggles and triumphs. You can download this documentary as a Pod Cast at www.inthelifetv.org. The episode is titled “The Last Closet.” This episode is now is being shown at independent film festivals all across the world. In March of 2007, Ann-Marie vacated her title to move up a weight class and made history as the first woman to fight for 6 world titles for a unification of the welterweight division as the main event against Holly Holm on Fox Sports “Best Damn Sports Show,” in Holm’s hometown of Albuquerque, NM. Ann-Marie lost a close fight but looks forward to a rematch with Holm outside of New Mexico. During this fight, Ann-Marie was featured on LOGO TV’s series “Be Real” as a role model as someone who has risen to face an extreme challenge. In September of 2007, Ann-Marie fought World Champion Jessica Rakoczy in her adopted hometown of LeMoore, CA in an attempt to regain her vacated WBC Lightweight title. It was an extremely close and exciting bout that ended in dramatic fashion when Ann-Marie dropped Rakoczy with a stunning right hand with only two seconds left in the tenth round. Rakoczy, who had never been stopped in her career, tried to get off the canvas, but rolled over on to her back prompting the ref to call the fight, making Ann-Marie a two-time WBC World Champion! The fight was named the WBC “Fight of the Year.” Ann-Marie made history again by having an all-female corner team for that bout consisting of world champion Melissa Hernandez and former world champion Belinda Laracuente, plus former US National olympic-style champion Angel Bovee. According to Ann Marie, "this the first time we have tried this particular team as my coaches and corner. I love the compatibility we all share and to have three female champions behind me, makes us not just unique, but unstoppable in the ring! In my corner I don't have to worry about any ego clashes, we are all there for the same purpose, to grow personally and professionally and to advance women's boxing.” On November 10, 2007, at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo, Japan, on the main event of a Pay-per-View card, Saccurato vacated her title once again and faced Emiko Raika of Japan for the WIBA title. While the fight was broadcast to viewers throughout Japan and named the WIBA`s 2007 “Fight of the Year”, Ann-Marie received a very questionable and head scratching loss for the WIBA title in which the opponent, Emiko Raika was also the promoter of the fight. 2007 was a banner year for Ann-Marie and her fans recognized it as well. She received many honors in WBAN’s end of year awards. Ann-Marie was given the “Top Honors” as well as “Biggest KO of the Year,” “Road Warrior of 2007,” and “Fight of the Year” awards. In August of 2008, Ann-Marie went back to Japan. In the main event of a PPV card in the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, Ann-Marie Saccurato faced Emiko Raika to avenge her earlier “loss”. To quiet the skeptics, she came out strong in the first round and landed several powerful right hands, breaking Raika's nose. The battle continued with Ann-Marie boxing on the outside and Raika having a hard time finding her with her punches. In the sixth round, Raika landed a head butt, which cost her a point on the judge’s scorecards. Ann-Marie suffered a cut from the head butt, which required stitches after the fight, but her corner was able to control the bleeding and Ann-Marie continued to out-box Raika with her skill and incredible punching power. This time the judges got it right. The scores were 98-92, 97-92, 97-93, all in favor of Saccurato. This was the first time WBC belt was contested on Japanese soil. Ann-Marie has now fought for, and won, the WBC Lightweight World Championship belt three times- having the distinct honor of beating World Champions Jelena Mrdjenovich, Jessica Rakoczy and Emiko Fujin Raika-all in their own hometowns. She is ranked #1 in the world. Saccurato states, "Now that I have proven myself three times in other boxer's hometowns, I would love to come back home and have a fight in my backyard where all my friends and family who support me could come out and watch. I am looking for a promoter that would be willing to make this happen in New York City or one of the casinos in the area.” Now Ann-Marie’s goals are to win several world championship titles and increase the respect, interest and exposure of women’s boxing at the Olympic and professional levels. She strives to encourage young people to always believe in their goals, their dreams, and to work hard to succeed while being true to themselves. This is just the beginning . . .
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