1975: Caroline Svendsen fights Jean Lange for first time in “Exhibition”

Source/Article:  Caroline Svendsen Scared?  By Steve Sneddon – Reno Evening Gazette
Wednesday, September 17, 1975,  page 22  Photo:  Caroline Svendsen Collection 

Caroline Svendsen is looking forward to per professional boxing debut, but she said, “I can’t say I’m not scared ” Miss Svendsen, the first woman professional fighter licensed in the United States, is scheduled to fight Connie Costello of Drain, Ore , who is scheduled to become the second woman licensed Thursday or Friday, in a four-round exhibition on Friday’s outdoor boxing card in Virginia City “I have no idea what I’m afraid of,” the 34-year-old Miss Svendsen said before a Thursday sparring session with former professional fighter Benny Casing in a Virginia City saloon “I don’t know what I’m going to act like when I see my opponent I’m wondering what my reactions are going to be.

“I’ve talked to guys about their feelings in their first fight, but there aren’t any women to talk to about it,” Miss Svendsen, who wore a tank top, white cut off jeans, white boxing shoes and earrings, said Tuesday’s sparring session was the parttime cocktail waitress and construction worker’s first in public. Previously, her two months of workouts had been confined to the Clear Creek Job Corps Center.

About 180 fans jammed into the bar to watch Miss Svendsen spar with Casing and heavyweight Terry Hinke sparring with light heavyweight Alvaro “Indian Yaqui” Lopez, the No 5 light heavy in the world Hinke is scheduled to face Harold Carter of Cleveland in the 10-round main event in Virginia City. Lopez is preparing for a Sept.

24 12-rounder with Jesse Burnett in Stockton Miss Svendsen is also scheduled to work out today at 5-30 p m in the Silver Queen.

Hinke will also spar, although Lopez is scheduled to return to Stockton. Hinke is scheduled to work out against Elmo Henderson, a former sparring partner of world heavyweight champion Muhammad AH and former champ George Foreman.

More than 250 fans watched the workouts Monday. Although she didn’t spar, Miss Svendsen said her nervousness almost made her sick.

“When I thought of working out in front of people I almost threw up.”