8 Most Incredible Female Boxers Of All Time

Women entering the ring go back to the 18th century, and the first reported American bout occurred in 1876 in New York. Women's boxing first appeared in the Olympic Games at a demonstration bout in 1904. Its revival was pioneered by the Swedish Amateur Boxing Association, which sanctioned events for women in 1988

The International Boxing Association (amateur) accepted new rules for Women's Boxing at the end of the 20th century and approved the first European Cup for Women in 1999 and the first World Championship for women in 2001.

Today, female boxers are gaining momentum within the ring and are making a name for themselves around the world. Among the many outstanding female boxers throughout history, these are the eight best female boxers of all time.

8. Laila Ali

Laila Amaria Ali (born December 30, 1977) is a retired undefeated American professional boxer. She is the daughter of retired heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Ali with his third wife, Veronica Porsche Ali. Laila is the eighth of her father's nine children and his youngest daughter.

Laila Ali, was born December 30, 1977, in Miami Beach, Florida, the daughter of boxer Muhammad Ali and his third wife, Veronica Porsche Ali. Ali was a manicurist at age 16. She graduated from California's Santa Monica College with a business degree. She owned her own nail salon before she began boxing.

Ali began boxing when she was 18 years old, after having first noticed women's boxing when watching a Christy Martin fight. She first publicized her decision to become a professional boxer in a Good Morning America interview with Diane Sawyer. When she first told her father, Muhammad Ali, that she was planning to box professionally, he was unhappy about her entering such a dangerous profession. However, Laila assured him she would be fighting women, not men, and she had his genetics.

7. Mia St. John

Mia Rosales St. John (born June 24, 1967) is a Mexican-American professional boxer and former World Boxing Council (WBC) champion in the super welterweight division. She is also the IBA and IFBA lightweight champion. She is also a model, businesswoman, and taekwondo champion.

At the age of 29, St. John decided to become a professional boxer. In her first bout on February 14, 1997, she knocked out Angelica Villain in 54 seconds of the first round and earning her the nickname "The Knockout."

During her career Mia St. John fought a record 60 matches. She won 47 matches, 18 by knockout.

6. Christy Martin

Martin was born in Mullens, West Virginia with the name Christy Salters.

Martin is said to be “the most successful and prominent female boxer in the United States” and the person who “legitimized” women’s participation in the sport of boxing. She began her career fighting in “Tough woman” contests and won three consecutive titles. She then began training with boxing coach, Jim Martin, who became her husband in 1991. On Tuesday, November 23, 2010, Martin was shot and stabbed by her husband.

Martin started her professional boxing career at the age of 21 with a six round loss to Angela Buchanan in 1989. With a full career of 57 fights, Martin won a total of 49. More impressive than her number of wins was the 31 of her 49 wins that came as a result of knockouts.

5. Ann Wolfe

Ann Wolfe (born January 17, 1971) is an American female boxer who held world titles in four different weight classes simultaneously. Wolfe is regarded by many within the sport as the hardest puncher and best fighter in the history of women's boxing. She's also a personal trainer and coach of several professional boxers, including currently high-ranking junior-middleweight contender James Kirkland.Wolfe made her professional debut by beating Brenda Lee Bell by a four round decision.

Her first and only career loss came four fights later, when she was knocked out in three rounds by veteran and future world champion Valerie Mahfood. Anne Wolfe is best known for her Tyson like fighting style and hard punching abilities. In fact, her victory over Vonda Ward is considered one of the greatest “one punch knockouts in the history of women’s boxing”. Wolfe’s historic Vonda Ward knockout wasn’t the only time Wolf won by KO. Of her 26 pro boxing fights, Wolfe knocked out 16 of her opponents.

4. Regina Halmich

Regina Halmich (born 22 November 1976) is a female boxer from Germany. Halmich is among the most successful female boxers of all time, and helped popularise female boxing in Europe.

Halmich was German champion in kickboxing as an amateur in 1992, 1993 and 1994, a year in which she also earned the European title.

As a professional, she has boxed in the Jr. Flyweight, Flyweight, Jr. Bantamweight, Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions. During her 13 years in the ring, she fought 56 times and won 54 fights.

3. Ronda Rousey

Ronda Jean Rousey born February 1, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist, judoka, and actress. She is the former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, as well as the last Strike force Women's Bantamweight Champion. She has won eleven of her fights in the first round, nine of them by arm bar. Rousey was the first U.S. woman to earn an Olympic medal in judo (Bronze) at the Summer Olympics in Beijing in 2008. Rousey trains under Gokor Chivichyan of the Hayastan MMA Academy, and Edmond Tarverdyan of the Glendale Fighting Club. In 2015, she was the third most searched person on Google.

In November 2012, the Ultimate Fighting Championship announced that Rousey had become the first female fighter to sign with the UFC. UFC President Dana White officially announced at the UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz pre-fight press conference that Rousey was the first UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion.

She is undefeated in her career winning 11 of her 11 matches.

2. Lucia Rijker

Lucia Frederica Rijker (born December 6, 1967) is a Dutch professional female boxer, kickboxer, andactress. Rijker has been dubbed by the press and opponents "The Most Dangerous Woman in the World". She win 36 six match out of 37 in which 25 by knockout.

In 2006 Rijker stated that although not retired as a professional boxer, she would only consider one more fight - a bout with Laila Ali.

1. Cecilia Braekhus

Cecilia Carmen Linda Brækhus (born 28 September 1981) is a Norwegian professional boxer and a former kick boxer. She is currently the undisputed world welterweight champion, and the first woman in the world to hold the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles simultaneously

In 2009, when the Norwegian boxer entered the professional boxing circuit she started claiming titles right from the start. First the WBC World Championship, the WBA female welterweight title, the WBO title in 2010, and the World Professional Boxing Federation title after knocking out Mikaela Lauren in the 7th round.

Braekhus has fought against some of the toughest female boxers in the world, including Mia St John in 2013, and won. Her continual boxing success has made her the first woman in the world to hold the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles simultaneously.

WBA, WBC, WBO and WPBF Champion Cecilia Brækhus is awarded as "Female Boxer of the Year 2010" by German boxing magazine Box Sport.

BOXING: The Top 10 Greatest Fighters of All Time

10) Prince Naseem Hamed

Naseem Hamed also known as Prince Naseem;(born 12 February 1974) is a former British professional boxerfrom Sheffield, England. He is the former WBO, WBC, IBF, IBO and Lineal featherweight champion, and European bantamweight champion.

Hamed was known for his unconventional boxing antics and spectacular ring entrances which have included entering the ring via a Chevrolet, a flying carpet, a lift, and a palanquin; re-enacting the video of Michael Jackson's Thriller; and wearing a Halloween mask. He was also known for his front somersault over the top rope into the ring.

He’s had several books written about him, video games in his name as well as a gym in England named in his honor including high praise from boxing greats such as George Foreman and Emmanuel Stewart.

Prince Naseem was also responsible for bringing attention back to the lower weight classes for which he can still be thanked today.

9) Larry Holmes

Larry Holmes (born November 3, 1949) is an American former professional boxer. He grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania, which gave birth to his boxing nickname, the "Easton Assassin".

Holmes won his first 48 professional bouts, including victories over Earnie Shavers, Ken Norton, Muhammad Ali, Mike Weaver, Gerry Cooney, Tim Witherspoon, Carl Williams and Marvis Frazier, and fell one short of matching Rocky Marciano's career record of 49–0 when he lost to Michael Spinks in 1985. Holmes retired after losing a rematch to Spinks, but made repeated comebacks, and was unsuccessful in three further attempts (against Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall) to regain the title, the last in 1995. Holmes fought for the final time in 2002 and ended with a career record of 69–6. He is frequently ranked as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time and has been inducted into both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame.

8) Julio Cesar Chavez

Julio César Chávez González (July 12, 1962), also known as Julio César Chávez Sr., is a Mexican former professional boxer. He is considered by acclamation as the greatest Mexican fighter of all time and one of the best boxers of all time.

Chávez was known for his outstanding punching power, devastating body attack, remarkably strong chin and the relentless stalking of his opponents. He ranks #24 on ESPN's list of "50 Greatest Boxers of All Time". On December 7, 2010, he was inducted in the prestigious International Boxing Hall of Fame for the Class of 2011. He is the father of prospect Omar Chávez and former middleweight champion Julio César Chávez, Jr.

After his retirement in 2005, Chavez has spent most of his time working with his son, Julio Cesar Chavez  Jr., who is in my opinion just as much of a fighter as his father was. He even avenged his father’s loss to Grover Wiley in a third-round knockout in 2007 at Madison Square Garden.

7) Lennox Lewis

Lennox Claudius Lewis, CM, CBE (born 2 September 1965) is a retired boxer and the last undisputed world heavyweight champion. He holds dual British and Canadian citizenship. As an amateur he won gold representing Canada at the 1988 Olympic Games after defeating future heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe in the final. Lewis is regarded by many as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, and as also the greatest British fighter of all time.

Lewis was a top-five world heavyweight. He defeated former WBA heavyweight champion Mike Weaver, 1984 Olympic Gold medalist Tyrell Biggs, former world cruiserweight title holders Glenn McCrory and Osvaldo Ocasio, and journeymen Levi Billups and Mike Dixon.

Lewis, along with Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield, is one of the only fighters to have won the heavyweight championship three times.

6) George Foreman 

 George Edward "Big George" Foreman (born January 10, 1949), is an American former professional boxer. In his boxing career he was a two-time world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist. Outside the sport he went on to become an ordained minister, author and entrepreneur.

Foreman has fought wars in the ring from his first and only knockout during his fight with Muhammad Ali labeled “The Rumble in the Jungle.” And who can forget the sunshine showdown in 1973 with Foreman dominating Frazier winning by TKO in HBO Boxing’s first ever broadcast.

Foreman who admitted to being a troubled youth defeated many top ranked fighters well after his prime. George has continued to be a part of the boxing scene and through his entrepreneurial endeavors, has earned over $100 million in sales of his George Foreman grill.

Remember that number the next time you want to poke jokes at one of the greatest fighters to ever grace the ring.

5) Rocky Marciano

Rocky Marciano (born Rocco Francis Marchegiano; September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969) was an American professional boxerwho held the world heavyweight title from September 23, 1952 to April 27, 1956. Marciano went undefeated in his career and defended his title six times, against Jersey Joe Walcott, Roland La Starza, Ezzard Charles (twice), Don Cockell, and Archie Moore. Marciano had a short, blazing career usually accustomed to pressure fighters.

Known for his relentless style, incredible stamina, and an iron chin, Marciano has been ranked by many boxing historians as one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time.[1] He was also known for his ferocious punching power for a man of just 190 pounds; his knockout percentage of 87.75 is one of the highest in heavyweight history.

Marciano won three more fights by knockout and then he met Ted Lowry (58–48–9). Marciano kept his winning streak alive by beating Lowry by unanimous decision. Four more knockout wins followed, including a five-rounder on December 19, 1949, with Phil Muscato (56–20–0), an experienced heavyweight from Buffalo, New York, and the first "name fighter" Marciano would face. Three weeks after that fight, Marciano beat Carmine Vingo (16–1–0) by a fifth round knockout in New York that almost killed Vingo.

4) Manny Pacquiao 

Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, ( born December 17, 1978), is a Filipino world champion professional boxer. At 32 he was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives. He has also been involved inbasketball, acting, and singing.

He was only 14 when he moved to Manila, for a while living on the streets until he began boxing. Before turning 16, Manny would have an amateur record of 64 wins and 4 losses. By the time he began training for his bout with Antonio Barrera, Freddie Roach was already on the job molding Manny, who would go on to become the pound-for-pound champion of the world.

Manny stunned boxing fans handing Barrera a technical knockout in the 11th round, something no one had ever done. Present day, Manny has accomplished what no other fighter in the history of the sport has, eight belts in eight separate divisions.

And as of 2010, he’s also a congressman in district of Sarangani, in the Philippines. Apart from these accomplishments, Manny has does things in the ring I’ve never seen anyone else in the sport even attempt much less put into action, circling left or right throwing combinations of up to four even seven punches with one step. Not bad for a kid from the slums, huh?

3) Sugar Ray Robinson

Sugar Ray Robinson (born Walker Smith Jr.; May 3, 1921 – April 12, 1989) was an American professional boxer. Frequently cited as the greatest boxer of all time, Robinson's performances in the welterweight and middleweight divisions prompted sportswriters to create "pound for pound" rankings, where they compared fighters regardless of weight. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

Renowned for his flamboyant lifestyle outside the ring, Robinson is credited with being the originator of the modern sports "entourage". After his boxing career ended, Robinson attempted a career as an entertainer, but it was not successful, and he struggled financially until his death in 1989. In 2006, he was featured on a commemorative stamp by the United States Postal Service.

Robinson was powerful with both arms, movingly swiftly with ease. He has been praised by Ring magazine as the best pound-for-pound fighter of all time and the best boxer in history by ESPN.

2) Muhammad Ali 

Muhammad Ali  (born January 17, 1942) is an American former professional boxer, generally considered among the greatest heavyweights in the history of the sport. A controversial and polarizing figure during his early career, Ali is now highly regarded for the skills he displayed in the ring plus the values he exemplified outside of it: religious freedom, racial justice and the triumph of principle over expedience.[3][4] He is one of the most recognized sports figures of the past 100 years, crowned "Sportsman of the Century" by Sports Illustrated and "Sports Personality of the Century" by the BBC.

Of his later career, Arthur Mercante said: "Ali knew all the tricks. He was the best fighter I ever saw in terms of clinching. Not only did he use it to rest, but he was big and strong and knew how to lean on opponents and push and shove and pull to tire them out. Ali was so smart. Most guys are just in there fighting, but Ali had a sense of everything that was happening, almost as though he was sitting at ringside analyzing the fight while he fought it."

Ali is generally considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time by boxing commentators and historians. Ring Magazine, a prominent boxing magazine, named him number 1 in a 1998 ranking of greatest heavyweights from all eras.

Ali was named the second greatest fighter in boxing history by ESPN.com behind only welterweight and middleweight great Sugar Ray Robinson. In December 2007, ESPN listed Ali second in its choice of the greatest heavyweights of all time, behind Joe Louis.

The Associated Press voted Ali the No. 1 heavyweight of the 20th century in 1999.

His talent in the ring is a mystery to no one. Ali had an unorthodox style, fast hands and body movement that was graceful like the sound of opera. Some of these movements would later become boxing lingo used to describe certain actions like the rope a dope and Ali shuffle.

1) Jack Johnson

  

John Arthur "Jack" Johnson (March 31, 1878 – June 10, 1946), nicknamed the Galveston Giant was an American boxer, who—at the height of the Jim Crow era—became the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion (1908–1915). Johnson was faced with much controversy when he was charged with violating the Mann Act in 1912, even though there was an obvious lack of evidence and the charge was largely racially based. In a documentary about his life, Ken Burns notes that "for more than thirteen years, Jack Johnson was the most famous and the most notorious African-American on Earth".

In the world of boxing, no one was tougher than Jack Johnson.

He was only 12 when he decided to venture into the fighting world, and 45 rounds a night was the usual as Johnson fought tactically when others didn’t.

Throughout his career Johnson began to build a unique fighting style of his own, which was not customary to boxing during this time. Though Jack would typically strike first, he would fight defensively, waiting for his opponents to tire out, while becoming more aggressive as the rounds went on. He often fought to punish his opponents through the rounds rather than knocking them out, and would continuously dodge their punches. He would then quickly strike back with a blow of his own. Jack often made his fights look effortless, and as if he had much more to offer, but when pushed he could also display some powerful moves and punches. There are films of his fights in which he can be seen holding up his opponent, who otherwise might have fallen, until he recovered

Johnson’s color made him a public enemy as America looked for a “great white hope” to defeat him. Johnson's win over James Jeffries on July 4, 1910 caused riots and celebrations giving African Americans a feeling of empowerment in an era plagued by violence and bigotry.

Top 10 Most Famous Sponsorships in Sports

The concept of sports is one that has captured the interest of the world one way or another. Sporting events provide the biggest platform for companies to advertise their brand or products via sponsorship. With thousands of sports occurring worldwide, companies have the ability to carefully select the event of which they wish to be a part of. Investing in sporting events in order to promote their products may be a costly method of promotion but has proven itself to be quite successful. Sponsorship is the material support of an event, activity or organization by an unrelated partner.

Here is a look at the 10 most famous sponsorships in sports.

10.  Vodafone

Vodafone is a multinational telecommunication service provider by the British company; Vodafone Group Plc. Vodafone sponsors several leading sporting brands including Ferrari Formula 1 Moto Racing team and Manchester United. Their brand is also known for its former sponsorship with the English cricket team.

9.  Honda

Honda is a Japanese company owned by Honda Motor Company Ltd. Honda  is a subsidiary and manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles and robotics. The brand was the official sponsor of  the 2006 FIA Formula 1. Their brand is advertised heavily during most motor racing events. Honda has sponsored motor sports like Moto GP, Super Bike Racing and Others.

8.  Castrol

Castrol, owned by Bp Plc Company is a producer of oil, gas and alternative energy . This brand has sponsored a number of teams in Formula 1 for many years. Castrol became the official motor oil of NFL. Castrol has also signed a four year sponsorship deal for the Australian National Rugby Union team.

7.  Samsung

Samsung is a subsidiary and  producer of Consumer Electronics, Telecom, Entertainment Apparel and others product of South Korean company  Samsung Group. Samsung sponsors many sports clubs, such as; football, baseball, basketball, volleyball etc. Samsung is also sponsoring Chelsea Football Club in the English Premier League.

6.  Puma

Puma is a clothing and consumer goods manufacturer and subsidiary of German company Puma SE. Puma sponsors a variety of sporting events in Germany. Puma is the official sponsor for “Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals” in the Indian Premier League and also sponsors numerous players of football, cricket, rugby, golf etc. Puma is best known for sponsoring olympian Usain Bolt.

5.  Adidas.

Adidas is a footwear, sports wear, sports equipment, toiletries manufacturing brand of  German company  Adidas AG. Adidas introduced the ball for the 2006 and 2010 FIFA Football World Cup games. Adidas advertises its brand in football, tennis, golf, cricket, rugby, gymnastics, baseball and field hockey.

4.  Reebok.

Reebok is an athletic shoes, apparel and accessories manufacturer by English company Reebok International Ltd. Reebok sponsors Football team FC Köln in Germany. Reebok sponsors the  St. George Illawarra Dragon in the NRL among others. Reebok officially sponsored National Hockey League CCM in 2004 and the team of National Football League

3.  Coca Cola

Coca Cola is a carbonated soft drink produced by United States company The Coca Cola Company. Coca Cola was one of the official sponsors of 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup. The brand is also an official sponsor of Delhi Daredevils in IPL. Coca Cola was first commercial sponsor of Olympic Games in 1928. The Brand also  sponsored the FIFA World Cup in 1978. Coca Cola has a long time relationship with basketball, hockey, football leagues etc.

2.  Red Bull

Red Bull is an energy drink, sold by Austrian company  Red Bull GmbH. Red Bull is a sponsor of  “R B Leipzig, FC Red Bull Salzburg, Red Bull Brasil, Red Bull New York, Red Bull Racing, Scuderia Toro Rosso”  Sports Team. Red Bull slogan ” gives you wings” is widely used in these sport activities.

1.  Pepsi

Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by the American company PepsiCo Inc. Pepsi announced a valuable partnership with the football association to invest in the rising stars of the nation’s game. It has official sponsorship deals with three major North American professional sports leagues. Pepsi became the new title sponsor of the “Indian Premier League” for the upcoming five seasons. Pepsi has official sponsorship deals with Pakistan Cricket Team. Pepsi is the largest sponsor in the sports world.

American College of Sports Medicine

The American College of Sports Medicine is a large sports medicine and exercise science organization.

Founded in 1954, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) promotes and integrates scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life. The ACSM national headquarters moved to Indianapolis in 1984, joining organizations such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Federation of State High School Associations, and national sport-specific governing bodies.

Members of ACSM work in a wide range of medical specialties, allied health professions, and scientific disciplines, and are committed to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sports-related injuries and the advancement of the science of exercise.

ACSM History

The founding meeting of the "Federation of Sports Medicine" took place in New York City at the Hotel Statler on April 22, 1954, as part of the afternoon program of the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (AAHPER). The following year, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) was officially incorporated, and 11 individuals were designated as founders. This group was composed of seven men and one woman with careers in physical education, and three physicians. The physical educators were Clifford Brownell, Ph.D. Ernst Jok, M.D., Peter Karpovich, M.D., Leonard Larson, Ph.D. Grover Mueller, M.S., Neils Neilson, Ph.D, Josephine Rathbone, Ph.D. and Arthur Steinhaus, Ph.D. Although they had training in physical education or were employed in departments of physical education, Jokl, Larson, Karpovich, and Steinhaus were primarily involved in research dealing with the physiology of exercise. The physicians were Louis Bishop, M.D., Albert Hyman, M.D., and Joseph Wolffe, M.D. All three were practicing cardiologists.

Membership

ACSM members represent more than 70 disciplines in sports medicine and exercise science.

ACSM membership is offered in six categories:

Clinicians

Academicians

Scientists

Health & Fitness Professionals

Students

International

Foundation

The American College of Sports Medicine Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with and developed to support the American College of Sports Medicine, Inc.

Awards & Scholarships: Each year the ACSM Foundation awards approximately $100,000 in research awards and scholarships. To sustain and build these funds, the Foundation conducts ongoing fundraising efforts.

American Sports University

American Sports University is a private sports business university in San Bernardino, California. It has remained unaccredited since its inception in 2006; it is still currently seeking accreditation. It has been granted approval to operate from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

American Sports University is located in Downtown San Bernardino.

History

ASU opened in the fall of 2006. Dr. Donald Singer is the President of the university and Dr. Harry Hwang is the Founder and Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors are five members that include Hwang's wife and daughter.

Several buildings that comprise the current ASU campus were formerly owned by the San Bernardino Sun. The campus spans two blocks and includes instructional classrooms, a dormitory, the ASU gym (formerly the San Bernardino Sun printer press), and the future nursing school building (formerly the San Bernardino Public Defender's Office).

The historic Fox Theatre of San Bernardino is also a part of ASU's campus. All original seating that was once part of this building have been removed to accommodate weekly raves the school typically hosts.

The university has filed applications to turn part of downtown Fourth St. into a campus walkway and start up a sports-oriented charter high school in the city

Academics

American Sports University offers several sports-related programs.

Programs include:

Graduate Degree Programs

Master of Science in Sports Education

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Sports Education

Bachelor of Science in Golf Management

Bachelor of Science in Sports Management

Bachelor of Science in Sports Coaching

Bachelor of Science in Sports Health

Bachelor of Science in Sports Training and Fitness

Bachelor of Science in Sports Recreation Management

Bachelor of Science in Sports Marketing

New Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane faces a massive challenge

Following the dismissal of Rafael Benitez as Real Madrid coach, the club have named Zinedine Zidane as their caretaker manager until the end of the season and may also appoint former Real Madrid player Santiago Solari as his assistant.

Until Monday, the 43-year-old Zidane, who needed just six seasons as a player to become one of Real Madrid's biggest legends, was the coach of the Real Madrid Castilla, a job for which Florentino Perez selected him in June of 2014 and his first official coaching job. This youth team play in an equivalent to the Third Division in Spain, and consists of players with an average of 20 years of age. After 19 matches, Zidane had the team in second place, four points behind Basque side Barakaldo.

Previously to working with Castilla, the Frenchman had acted as a special advisor to Jose Mourinho and the first team squad in the 2011-12 season and worked as Carlo Ancelotti's assistant in the 2013-14 season, both positions as a result of his long-term contract with Real Madrid.

It is fair to say that Zidane's experience as a manager is extremely limited. In fact, the club had preferred to give the Frenchman more time with Castilla instead of running the risk of burning him too early in the first team job but according to president Perez, the situation with Benitez was untenable and Zidane was the best available option until the end of the season.

Next to Zidane will be Santiago Solari. At least on paper, the Argentinean complements Zidane's knowledge of the game with a deep tactical acumen and a more extroverted persona than that of the Frenchman. Like Zidane, Solari also played for Real Madrid (in his case between 2000-05) and has become an insightful pundit in Spain since his retirement as a player in 2011. Since 2013, he has been coaching various Real Madrid youth teams (U-16 and U-19) rather successfully.

Whether or not Zidane manages to get the full-time job at the end of the season will obviously depend on the team's performance over the next five months in La Liga and the Champions League, the two competitions in which Real Madrid can still contend.

Zidane's biggest asset -- and arguably Benitez's biggest weakness -- is the almost reverential respect that the squad feel for the Frenchman, something he earned on and off the pitch. With such a huge amount of talent at his disposal, the manner in which he leverages his influence on the players to recover the fighting spirit of two years ago seems instrumental to improve Real Madrid's poor displays against top sides so far and turn around the season.

Top 10 Richest Female Footballers In The World

1.  Alexandra “Alex” Morgan : Salary $450,000

Alexandra “Alex” Morgan Carrasco is an American soccer player, Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion. She plays for Orlando Pride and the United States women’s national soccer team as forward. Alex Morgon has also be listed on the Most sexy world footballers. 

2. Nicole Banecki: Salary $90,000

Nicole Banecki born September 3, 1988 is a professional German football player. She is of German-Cameroonian decent. Banecki currently plays for SC Freiburg and she made her debut in the German national team on 7 March 2008 against Finland. She currently plays for FC Bayern Munich and has a twin sister, Sylvie Banecki, who is also a professional soccer player

3. Marta Vieira : Salary $400,000

Marta Vieira da Silva, popularly known as Marta,Born February 19, 1986 is a Brazilian footballer who plays for FC Rosengård in the Swedish Damallsvenskan and the Brazil national team as a forward. She earn 400,000 USD as at 2012. She has won the FIFA World Player of the Year. 

4. Amandine Chantal Henry : Salary $70,000

Amandine Chantal Henry born September 28, 1989 is a French football player who currently plays for French club Olympique Lyon in the Division 1 Féminine. She plays as a defensive midfielder.

Amandine Henry as France midfielder scores a sensational strike from 30 yards out against Mexico in their final Group F match at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

5. Nilla Fischer : Salary $67,500

Åsa Nilla Maria Fischer, Married to Maria Michaela Ficher in 2013 is a Swedish footballer for VfL Wolfsburg and the Swedish national team. She was previously the captain of LdB FC Malmö. She currently plays #4 Defender for VfL Wolfsburg. 

6. Hope Solo : Salary $65,000

Hope Amelia Stevens, popularly known as Hope Solo, is a 34years Old American soccer goalkeeper married to Jerramy Stevens in 2012, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a World Cup gold medalist. She currently plays for United States women’s national soccer team (#1 / Goalkeeper) and Seattle Reign FC (#1 / Goalkeeper). She banks in $65,000. 

7. Abby Wambach : $200,000

The 35years old Mary Abigail “Abby” Wambach is an American former soccer player, coach, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and the 2012 FIFA World Player of the Year. Wambach holds the world record for international goals scored by an individual player. 

8. Heather Mitts: Salary $150,000.

Heather Mitts Feeley, née Heather Blaine Mitts born June 9, 1978, is an American former professional soccer defender. Married to A. J. Feeley in 2010. 

9. Laure Boulleau: Salary $60,000

Laure Boulleau born October 22, 1986 who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain Féminines as a defender is a French football player. Boulleau primarily plays as a defender and is a member of the France women’s national football team. 

10. Jonelle Filigno: Salary $60,000

Jonelle Filigno born September 24, 1990 is a Canadian soccer player for Sky Blue FC in the NWSL who earns $60,000 as salary. She is also a member of the Canadian national team, with whom she won Olympic bronze at London 2012. Her position of playing is Forward.