Women’s boxing has been on the upswing in recent years.

With the success of Hilary Swank’s Million Dollar Baby and with Laila Ali stepping out from the collosal shadow of her famous father, Muhammed Ali, the sport continues to grow in popularity across the nation.

However, at last year’s Coal Area Toughman Contest, there were no women’s bouts and therefore no women’s championships handed out.

Eight women had signed on to box but none showed up.

There were no “girl fights” or “cat fights” as some call it.

Toughman promoter Jerry Thomas hopes to turn that around at this year’s event which is scheduled for tonight and Saturday nights at Logan High School’s Willie Akers Arena.

A total of 16 women have signed up to box this weekend.

Seven women have signed up for the heavyweight class (155 pounds and up). Those are: Mazie Bailey of Clear Creek; Kayla Frye of Holden; Victoria Gibson of Scott Depot; Kristy Goodman of Bruno; Chelsea Justice of Alum Creek; Sabrina Lambert of Madison; and Kaitlan Moore of Lake.

A total of nine have signed up for the women’s lightweight division (up to 155 pounds). Those are: Ashley Berry of Danville; Joyce Cook of Chapmanville; Beth Earnest of Mallory; Alisha Esque of Julian; Mary Fowler of Danville; Elizabeth Hypes of Daniels; Jaime Young of Nitro; and Christy Martin of Nitro.

Thomas said he hopes there are no signs of “Toughman Flu,” and all of the women show up to compete.

“I think this year we will see some good competition in the women’s division. We may actually see some competition,” Thomas said. “So far, it looks like we’re going to have a really good women’s field.”

A name jumps right out at you when you are looking at the women’s field.

Christy Martin.

No, it’s not that Christy Martin.

“We’ve also got a big field of female fighters,” Thomas said. “Interesting enough, Christy Martin will be fighting. This is not the Christy Martin but a different Christy Martin. She has the same name as the world famous fighter known as ‘The Coalminer’s Daughter.’ She was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and is from Wyoming County. She won the women’s light heavyweight championship in pro boxing and made the cover. She fought on the undercard of several pay per view events. In women’s boxing, she was right up there with Laila Ali. In fact, she fought Laila Ali. This Christy Martin, who is fighting this weekend, is from the Charleston area.”

The Toughman is a yearly hit for area fans each November. Capacity crowds usually fill the fieldhouse each night.

Fighters converge on Logan from a wide territory — from the eastern Kentucky mountains to the Huntington and Charleston areas, to Logan and all of the surrounding counties.

Boxers this year are coming from as far away as Point Pleasant and Garrett, Ky., which is located in western Floyd County.

“It’s a wide area that we draw from,” Thomas said. “People will be coming in from a 75 to 80-mile radius,” Thomas said. “That takes in a big territory.”

One other notable boxer who will be competing is Jeremy Abraham, a family member of Brian Abraham, the former Logan County Prosecutor.

“Rick Abraham’s son will also be fighting,” Thomas said. “His son is Jeremy Abraham. He is Brian Abraham’s brother. Brian was even going to fight a few years back but his dad talked him out of it. Jeremy has been a bodybuilder and weight lifter and is a good athlete. I guess he’s been wanting to do this for a while. This is going to be a great event. I think the people will enjoy it as they always do. The ticket prices will be the same.