Michelle Sutcliffe (born 3 February 1967) is an English female boxer who competed in the Light Flyweight division. On 27 February 2000 she became the first Leeds-based boxer, professionally licensed under the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), to become a world professional boxing champion. In 1999 she was awarded the BBC's sportswoman of the year. Michelle was the second woman to be granted a professional boxers license by the BBBofC the first woman being Jane Couch. Michelle also practised Kickboxing and the martial arts sport of Muay Thai Professional career Sutcliffe's professional boxing career began on November 2, 1996 with her first world title try, as she challenged Regina Halmich for the WIBF's world Flyweight title, despite having never previously taken part in competition on this level; she ultimately lost in a second-round technical knockout. On June 24, 1998, Sutcliffe met Para Draine in Atlantic City for her second bout, losing by technical knockout in round five. Her first win came against Diane Berry on June 28 of that year, when she defeated Berry by decision in five rounds back home in England. On February 12, 1999, she lost to Sengul Ozokcu by a six-round decision in Denmark, following that defeat with two wins in a row. Sutcliffe then fought Belgian champion Veerle Braspennings for the vacant Intercontinental WIBF title at the Armouries in Leeds, winning by technical knockout in round 7. On Sunday 26 September 1999 Sutcliffe won the World International Boxing Federation flyweight title. The match was held at the Royal Armouries museum in Leeds. It was between Michelle Sutcliffe and Veerle Braspenningx who Sutcliffe beat after 7 rounds. Sutcliffe's ascent to boxing fame culminated with a glorious bout against Francesca Lupo at the Leeds Town Hall on February 27, 2000; entering the match, Lupo was the far more experienced fighter, having recently become the Italian champion and World Number One for the vacant WBF (World Boxing Federation) World Title flyweight crown. Sutcliffe was declared the victor by unanimous decision after ten rounds, making history as the first Leeds-based professionally licensed boxer under the BBBofC to become a World professional boxing champion. On October 7, 2000, Michelle and Halmich were rematched in Berlin, with the WIBF's world Flyweight championship on the line once again. Sutcliffe entered the match with the aim of making a bold statement, and while the fight proved much more competitive than their first