Vaia Anne Zaganas is a Canadian former boxer. She was the first World Boxing Association female world champion and is a member of the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame.
After discovering the sport at an early age, Zaganas went on to win the Canadian National Championships title in 1998. As part of Canada's National team, she compiled an impressive record of 36âÂÂ4, winning fights in Canada, the United States and Europe. Other highlights of her amateur career include winning a second national title, twice winning gold at the U.S.A. vs Canada dual meet, twice winning gold at the U.S. national Blue and Gold event and being named "Most Outstanding Boxer" of the tournament. In 2000, she won Canada's "Rookie of The Year" award for best performance in international competition, male or female.
Before turning professional, Zaganas was ranked number one in the world by AIBA in her weight division. She moved to Las Vegas, Nevada later that year to pursue a professional boxing career. Her success in the ring continued, as she won the IFBA Straw-weight title. In 2003 she lost to Elena Luz Rodriguez in a rematch. She rebounded a year when she made history by becoming the first ever female world champion crowned by the World Boxing Association.
Zaganas was inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame in 2025.
After her boxing career, Zaganas became a stunt performer and actress.
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