Cathy "The Bitch" Brown is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1999 to 2006. She challenged for multiple world championships during her career; the WIBFbantamweight title twice in 2002 and 2004; the WIBF flyweight title in 2003; and the WBC female flyweight title in 2005. At regional level, she challenged once for the European female flyweight title in 2003. She is now active as an elite coach at the Third Space in London, where boxing, kickboxing, sports psychology and the mental strength of her clients are focal points in her coaching, which has resulted in her nickname 'the Soul Trainer'. She regularly writes columns for Men's Health and Women's Health magazine. and continues to share her experience and expertise on the TV and the radio and is used as an expert by The Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Evening Standard, Zest magazine, Women's Fitness, Cosmopolitan, Company and OK magazine. Besides being an ambassador to Refuge charity she is also a spokesperson for the Mental Health Foundation and continues to empower and inspire.
Background
After Cathy was born, she was put into Catholic Care orphanage until she was adopted at an early age by her adoptive parents and raised in Lanchester, Durham. In 1992 she moved to London to pursue her photographic career as a Forensic Photographer, as which she worked until 1998.
Early career
She started Kickboxing in 1992 as a hobby and only after three months her trainer suggested that she should enter her first competition. Exceptionally, she remained undefeated for 25 fights, winning both the BKBU and WBFo British Kick Boxing title.
Boxing career
Cathy received her Professional Boxing License in August 1998, and understanding the mechanics of PR and media, named herself "The Bitch". Being one of the pioneers in female boxing, sponsorships and earnings were limited, so she started working as a Personal Trainer at The Third Space, where she was able to train twice a day and still earn a living. Her first fight was a points win against Veerle Braspenningx from Belgium in Oct 1999 and won the WBFo European Flyweight Title in July 2000. In June 2002 she went for the WIBF International Bantamweight Title against Alina Shaternikiova, but lost after being ill-informed by her trainer. This was a turning point in her career and she became self-managed and changed trainers to Adam Booth which made David Haye her stable partner for 8 years. She fought Stephanie Bianchini for the EBU Flyweight Title in December 2003, however, controversially lost on points. She fought a re-match against Stephanie Bianchini for the WBC Flyweight Title in August 2005 in Italy, but lost again on points. Clearly this was a substantial disappointment for Cathy and although she lost some faith in the unprincipled bounds of the boxing industry, she continued to fight. On 24 September 2006, Cathy won the English Women's Bantamweight title when she defeated Juliette Winter by a ten-round 97–94 decision in a rematch of their 2003 four-rounder. With the win, Cathy became the first female champion sanctioned by the BBBofC. After the fight, Cathy stated that she would retire from competition because of persistent wrist and neck injuries. 07/06/2007 Patrick doherty
Other / Current activities
She is currently focusing on her coaching career as a boxing coach and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist at the Third Space gym and continues to be an inspiration for mental strength. Through public speaking and her association with various organisations she continues to educate and inspire. She has participated in various challenges such as sailing across the Atlanticin a world record attempt and took part in a 120 km running and climbing event for Sparks Charity. Cathy works with The Lotus Flower Charity and regular visits camps in Iraq to help Yazidi women learn the art of boxing, so they have an outlet for any anger, stress, anxiety. She is also coaching Yazidi women to become boxing coaches so they can coach other women and earn a living to feed their families.
