From Boxing Under Don King to Posing for Playboy, 5x World Champion Who Went Pro at Age of 29. Who Is Mia St John?

It’s been over seven years since Mia St. John retired from professional boxing. However, she is as active as ever. She has been making waves in her new avatar as one of California’s foremost mental health advocates. It’s been a long whirlwind of a journey for the former world champion, who battled fearsome opponents in the ring and demons outside. She faced one tragedy after another in her personal life.

However, ‘The Knockout’, remaining true to herself, took it on the chin and forged ahead to face the world. Once, her only goal was to destroy the boxer facing her. But there was a side the world had to see. Over the years, the world saw Mia St. John—a caring and warm person for whom the well-being of everyone, especially the youngsters, matters the most.

The Beginning

Mia Rosales was born in San Francisco, California, to Mexican-American parents. After high school, she went to Northridge-based California State University, where she earned a degree in psychology. An interest in martial arts led her to learn the Korean form, Taekwondo, where she eventually became a black belt. Consistent participation saw her amass a record of 27 wins against only one loss.

In 1989, she and her then-partner, later her husband, actor Kristoff St. John, became parents to a boy they named Julian. In 1991, the couple married. But sadly, their journey proved short. The couple had another child, a girl, Paris Nicole, in 1992. However, they eventually decided to go their separate ways in 1995. Kristoff St. John later married a second time in 2001.

The Ring

Two years after the divorce, Mia St. John, a mother of two kids, did something most women her age and situation won’t even think of. An accomplished martial artist, Mia St. John took to professional boxing and fought her first boxing match on February 14, 1997. She was 29 years old. After that, a string of victories came her way for the next three years. She drew a match with Imelda Arias in July 2001 and, a few months later, suffered her first loss to Rolanda Andrews on November 8, 2001.

The outcome was a mixed bag for the next four years, with four losses and another draw. Mia St. John initially signed up with legendary boxing promoter Don King but eventually switched to Bob Arum‘s Top Rank, where she stayed till 2001—ultimately becoming a free agent. Since most of her bouts lasted four rounds, she received the moniker ‘Queen of the Four-Rounders.‘

In June 2005, she won her first title, the vacant International Female Boxers Association World Lightweight. However, by December of that year, she had lost it to MMA legend and former UFC champion Holly Holm.

Though she won a match on April 1, 2006, three consecutive losses knocked on her door. It wasn’t until June 14, 2008, that she won her next belt, the vacant WBC International Female Welterweight title. She retained it, only to lose it a year later. After another attempt at winning the IBA and IBF World Lightweight titles failed, she climbed up a division. She won the WBC World (Female) Super Welterweight Championship in 2012, unanimously defeating boxing legend Christy Martin.

But she gave it away to Tiffany Junot on November 10 that year. Unfortunately, her subsequent two attempts at winning world titles bore no fruit. She won the next match against Tammy Franks in October 2015. Then, six months later, she went to New Zealand to face Lisa Lewis. She won the last fight of her career via technical knockout. Mia St. John had participated in 65 contests in retirement, of which she won 49 and lost 14. Nineteen of her victories came through early stoppages.

In Between

While studying, Mia St. John did some modeling to raise funds for her education. Perhaps the experience proved handy. In 1999, Playboy picked her for their cover page. Likewise, her experience with Taekwondo probably helped St. John venture into mixed martial arts. She went to Honolulu, Hawaii, and won a match against Rhonda Gallegos on January 26, 2008.

Life back home

Tragedy first stuck with Mia St. John when her son Julian St. John, who was in a mental care facility, died by suicide on November 13, 2014. Then, five years later, the father of her children, former husband Kristoff St. John, also passed away. The former world champion had revealed how, throughout her life, she had been battling alcoholism. Though she came out of it, her son and ex-husband’s passing away reportedly forced her to seek refuge in the addiction.

Read More: Boxing Legend Mia St. John, Who Lost Her Son to Suicide, Urges Everyone to Educate Themselves About Mental Health

However, through sheer grit and determination, she has been fighting back and staying sober for a long time. Additionally, she decided to become the voice for all those suffering from mental illnesses. Although she is no longer boxing, the war is far from over for her. As an outspoken supporter of mental health, she is fighting back, trying to provide dignity and perhaps a new life to all those who want someone to listen to them.

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(To know more about Mia St. John’s fascinating journey, tune in to the ESFanCast, LIVE this Friday at 11:30 AM ET. We sit down with the female boxing icon who has transcended beyond boxing as a mental health advocate, mother, playboy model, actor, and more.)