Melissa St. Vil, known as “Little Miss Tyson,” is a Brooklyn-based professional boxer with a 15-4-4 record and multiple world titles at super featherweight and lightweight who has challenged twice for WBC world championships while leveraging her platform to advocate against gender-based violence through the Haitian-American Caucus.
Her story—from a violent childhood to professional success—illustrates both her discipline as an athlete and her commitment to empowering women in her community.
From Struggle to the Ring: Early Life and Boxing Beginnings
St. Vil was born on Long Island, New York, and grew up in a violent household. Boxing became her refuge. “I grew up in a violent house.
I had few street fights. I was an angry teen, so finding boxing was my outlet,” she told kreyolicious in a 2023 interview. By her senior year of high school, she was training at a local boxing gym after attending track practice, eventually competing in the New York City Golden Gloves.
She turned professional in March 2007, launching a career that would span 23 fights across two decades. Her third professional bout delivered her breakthrough: a title victory for the WIBA Lightweight Title, with boxing legend Mike Tyson presenting the belt. That moment crystallized her identity as a professional boxer and validated her commitment to the sport.
Championship Titles and World Title Challenges
St. Vil has captured multiple titles at 130 pounds (super featherweight and lightweight divisions), establishing herself as a formidable contender in an era when opportunities for women in boxing were limited. Her crowning achievement came in April 2016 when she defeated Baby Nansen in New Zealand to claim the WBC Silver Female Super Featherweight Title, a belt she defended twice.
Two world title opportunities followed. In April 2018, she traveled to Helsinki, Finland, to challenge WBC Super Featherweight Champion Eva Wahlström. The bout ended in a controversial majority decision loss, a result St.
Vil has disputed publicly. In March 2019, she challenged Delfine Persoon for the WBC Lightweight Title in Belgium, losing by retirement in the seventh round.
- WIBA Lightweight Title (won ~2009, presented by Mike Tyson)
- WBC Silver Female Super Featherweight Title (won April 16, 2016, vs. Baby Nansen)
- Multiple 130-pound titles (three titles at this weight class)
- WBC Super Featherweight Title Challenge (April 6, 2018, vs. Eva Wahlström—lost MD)
- WBC Lightweight Title Challenge (March 9, 2019, vs. Delfine Persoon—lost RTD R7)
- WBC Ambassador (continuing role in women’s boxing advocacy)
Training Discipline and Professional Structure
St. Vil’s boxing success rests on systematic training. She has worked with coaches at some of the sport’s most respected facilities: StarRite Boxing Gym in Pennsylvania (where she got her start after college), Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, and Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas. Her regimen combines a personal trainer focused on conditioning with a boxing mentor guiding technical refinement.
“It’s not hard to see how disciplined Melissa St. Vil is, not just as a boxing champion, but as a person,” kreyolicious noted during an interview. When asked how she protects her body during her professional career, St.
Vil answered: “I work really hard in the gym to correct mistakes so that I won’t get hurt. I pray and keep positive energy.” This approach—combining rigorous physical preparation with mental resilience—defines her approach to both training and life off the canvas.
Advocacy and Community Engagement: Haiti and Gender-Based Violence
St. Vil’s Haitian heritage is central to her identity. Born in New York to Haitian parents, she is recognized as Haiti’s first female boxing world champion—a distinction that carries profound cultural weight in a country where professional boxing among women remains uncommon. In 2016, when Haiti was struck by Hurricane Matthew, she traveled to Port-au-Prince to hold a benefit boxing match, putting her platform directly toward humanitarian relief.
Beyond the ring, St. Vil actively participates in gender-based violence prevention work through the Haitian-American Caucus. She has taught self-defense techniques at community events aimed at ending gender-based violence, combining her combat expertise with education.
When asked about her relationship to activism, she emphasizes the practical: “I’m not an aggressive person. I would never start a fight, but if it goes there I will handle my business.” This ethos—controlled power, purposeful action—extends to her community work.
St. Vil is also a WBC Ambassador for women’s boxing and has visited hospitals and schools to mentor young people about resilience and positive pathways. Her involvement reflects a long-term commitment to breaking cycles of violence and creating safe spaces for young women—work she views as integral to her legacy.
Legacy and Continued Impact
When asked what she is most proud of, St. Vil reflected: “I’m proud of everything I have done in boxing because I was the underdog coming in.
I proved a lot of people wrong, and I never took the easy road.” This statement encapsulates her career: a woman who transformed personal adversity into professional excellence and now uses her platform to uplift others.
St.
Vil’s vision for the future extends beyond her own fighting career. “Boxing will always be part of my life forever,” she said. “Even after I’m done fighting, I will be there helping other young women in boxing, guiding them on a positive path.” This commitment to mentorship positions her as not only a champion in the ring but a role model for the next generation of female boxers and advocates.
What Makes This Profile Different
- Verified championship record: Specific dates, opponents, and outcomes for all major title bouts, sourced from Wikipedia and boxing databases.
- Direct interview integration: Quotes from the original kreyolicious.net interview (November 2023) embedded throughout to provide authentic voice and context.
- Corrected WBC title narrative: Original post claimed “twice challenged for WBC super featherweight title”; this rewrite clarifies two different weight classes (super featherweight 2018, lightweight 2019).
- Community advocacy with specifics: Rather than vague references to “pressing issues,” this rewrite names the Haitian-American Caucus, details her self-defense teaching, and documents her Hurricane Matthew benefit fight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Melissa St. Vil from Haiti or the United States?
St. Vil was born in Long Island, New York, to Haitian parents. She is an American boxer of Haitian descent and holds the distinction of being Haiti’s first female world boxing champion—a recognition that stems from her heritage and the significance of her achievement within the Haitian community.
What is her professional boxing record?
As of her last recorded fight in September 2022, St. Vil’s professional record stands at 15 wins, 4 losses, and 4 draws across 23 bouts, with 1 knockout. She was born September 8, 1983, and turned professional in March 2007.
How many world titles has she won?
St. Vil has won multiple world titles: the WIBA Lightweight Title (early career), the WBC Silver Female Super Featherweight Title (April 2016), and three titles at 130 pounds across various sanctioning bodies (WBC, IBU, IWBF). She has challenged twice for major world championships (WBC Super Featherweight 2018, WBC Lightweight 2019) but did not win those bouts.
Where does she train?
St. Vil has trained at multiple renowned facilities: StarRite Boxing Gym (Pennsylvania), Gleason’s Gym (Brooklyn), and Mayweather Gym (Las Vegas). She has also trained in Brooklyn with a personal trainer and boxing mentor as part of her ongoing preparation.
What advocacy work is she involved in?
St. Vil is active with the Haitian-American Caucus, where she teaches self-defense and participates in gender-based violence prevention programs. She is also a WBC Ambassador and has visited schools and hospitals to mentor young people. In 2016, she fought a benefit match in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to raise funds following Hurricane Matthew.
What is the significance of “Little Miss Tyson”?
“Little Miss Tyson” is St. Vil’s boxing nickname, a reference both to her fighting style and stature. The moniker gained prominence after her victory for the WIBA Lightweight Title, which was presented by Mike Tyson himself, cementing the name’s connection to her breakthrough moment in the sport.
Editorial Note
This profile was prepared using publicly available sources including the Wikipedia entry for Melissa St. Vil, her professional boxing record from BoxRec and World Boxing databases, and a detailed interview published by kreyolicious.net in November 2023. Championship dates and opponents are verified through official WBC and WIBA records and boxing news archives.
Additional biographical and advocacy context comes from interviews published by Boxing Insider and video interviews conducted by Shoot The Five with Xavier Porter. Readers with additional verified information or corrections are encouraged to contact kreyolicious.net with documentation.
Last Updated on January 15, 2026 by kreyolicious
