Joe Smith

Betty, the Female Prizefighter Joe Smith

London in the 17th century was a difficult place to make a living, especially for a young woman from the worker class. Betty's choices were limited. She could be a prostitute like her mother, or a servant in a rich household. Of the few other choices available to her, she chose to be a cook at a large factory. Life was tough, but it was about to become even tougher. When a couple of prostitutes attacked her at a pub, she almost lost her life. But, Mr. von Kleist, a rich gentleman, saved her. The only reason he did this was because her fighting skills impressed him. Now in his debt, Betty had to fight for his female fighting stable until her debt was paid off. These private prizefighting events were brutal. Female fighters faced each other in brawls with few rules. Women often died at the hands of their vicious opponents. But Mr. von Kleist had a different plan for Betty. He was looking for a fighter good enough to challenge Elizabeth Stokes, the championess of England. To test her skills, he forced her to fight in many brutal fights. Betty saw only one way to earn her freedom. She had to fight and beat Elizabeth Stokes. Along the way, she made some friends and enemies. She was also introduced to the pleasures of having female lovers.