DKO Nichols

Meet Deborah “Knockout” Nichols 

October 10 2026 International Women's Boxing all of Fame

1999 IBA Women’s World Featherweight Champion | Martial Artist | Entrepreneur | Coach | Speaker

Hi, I’m Deborah “Knockout” Nichols — a proud Dalton, Georgia native, a former professional boxer, and a lifelong fighter both in and out of the ring.

As a single mother, I stepped into one of the toughest sports in the world — and refused to back down. I went on to build a professional boxing record of 10 wins, 0 losses, and 2 draws, and in 1999, I became the IBA Women’s World Featherweight Champion.

In 1998, I won the first-ever nationally televised women’s boxing tournament on the USA Network, hosted by the IFBA. Before that, I competed in the 1996 World Toughwoman Contest on pay-per-view and earned eight Toughwoman titles, proving I could hang with the best — and beat them.

But my journey started even earlier, when I earned my black belt in martial arts on July 11, 1991, at Ben Kiker’s United Karate Studio. That discipline carried me into full-contact kickboxing, where I earned several wins and suffered just one loss. Combat sports gave me the tools — and the toughness — to fight through anything life threw at me.

Today, I’m a certified personal boxing and kickboxing trainer, offering sessions that combine champion-level technique with real-world fitness and mindset training. My goal is to help people build strength, confidence, and endurance — not just physically, but mentally.

I’ve worked as a corner coach for Toughman events, judged boxing and MMA fights in Georgia, and now travel to seminars and martial arts events teaching the fundamentals of boxing: footwork, balance, striking, and self-defense.

Even though I didn’t leave boxing by choice, I never stopped fighting. I simply changed arenas. 

I currently attend Seminars teaching boxing skills  and I am an entrepreneur — I run a successful hair salon and tanning business, and I offer trusted tax services through Tax Masters 101.

And soon, I’ll be telling my full story in my upcoming memoir:
DKO: The Deborah “Knockout” Nichols Story — a raw, powerful look at my journey through triumph, controversy, and transformation.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

I offer a wide selection of products, including clothing, accessories, and more. Our products are carefully selected to ensure that they meet our high standards for quality and affordability.