(AUG 16) WBAN has received an update on Phyllis Kugler [McCormick], a boxer in the 1950's, who had over 50 fights that included exhibitions, with only one loss is one of the most prominent women boxers in the past, and played a significant part in the world of women's boxing.  Biography]  Kugler-McCormick told WBAN the following:

"After my boxing career, I taught boxing for a few years, then moved to Columbia City, Indiana. I had five children,  Brent, Scot, Todd, and Jill.   My first born, Randy died at the age of 5 1/2 from acute pneumonia. That was absolutely the worst thing that ever happened in my life. After that, I knew, If I could not make it through that, I could make it through anything.

My manager, Johnny Nate moved to California with his family and died in 1968 at the young age of 55.

I was divorced in 1969, then moved with my children to Marlow, New Hampshire, (a little town outside Keene). We lived there only about 1 1/2 years before moving back to Indiana to be near family, and started over again.

I bought a house, and worked at the South Bend Self-Development Center. I also worked for Madison Center's (S.O.S), a sex offense service--a rape crisis center.

At the age of 48, I decided to go to college. In my first year Psychology class, I am sitting next to my "19-year old daughter." Now if that's not an incentive to do well---I don't know what else is!

At age 50, I married again. My husband, Steve, was a business agent for Teamsters and has two daughter's Allison and Sara.

A new psychiatric hospital opened in Brewan, Indiana, and I got a job there working in the adult In-Patient ward.

During my employment at the hospital, I took a trip to Russia with a small group of other mental health workers from different states. The purpose of the trip, we were to visit their mental health facilities, and gain some perspective on their methods of treatment. I was there for three weeks, a month before the wall coming down (1989).

After returning, I gave seminar's and a slide presentation to different clubs and organizations on my experiences of what I had learned. I really loved doing that.

I've always loved fashion, so I eventually left the mental health profession and decided to own my own ladies boutique.

During this time, I put on many fashion shows and also did a program for the college on "How to dress when applying for a job." I continued with this until I retired at the age of 64.

My husband and I then moved to Surprise, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix. The lure here, besides the weather, are the activities that are available in the area. I have participated in Yoga, Tai-Chi, Pilates, Zumba, water aerobics, swim lessons, and many more. I did it all-and it has been great! We even had a Olympics here and I got a gold medal.

In 2006, my husband and I went to Hawaii. The first day, we went hiking and it started raining. I slipped and hit a rock, and broke my ankle. After the ankle healed, they found out I had torn ligaments and other issues that made me limp for about a year and I really couldn't do much during that time. Also, during this time, I found out I had "severe" degenerative disc in my back and could never lift heavy weights again---not a good year!

We did go back to Hawaii again, this last October, and had a wonderful time. This time I didn't go hiking---I went parasailing. It turned out to be much safer and a lot more fun.

I am now back to working out again, but on a much lower scale than before. Swim, water aerobics, treadmill, light weight & Yoga.

I'm still in touch with my trainer, Johnny Nate's brother who is now 90 years old. He still lives in Indiana and is in a nursing home, after a bad car accident. I spoke with his daughter, Kathy frequently, and she keeps me informed on his condition.

My hobbies now, besides working out are reading, travel, sewing, cooking, entertaining, going to parties, plays, movies, and dining out.

I am now 74 years old. I have eight grand children and five great-grand children. We are all in good health and enjoying life. Everybody is just fine! Phyllis Kugler McCormick"

WBAN would like to thank Phyllis for taking the time to give an update to the boxing community!