[2] Tonawanda was a well-known figure in the sport and was featured in many newspaper articles and magazines.
[7][8] In 1975, Tonawanda sued the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) for denying her a professional boxing license because of her gender.
[11] But Cathy Davis sued the New York State Athletic Commission in 1977 because she was denied a boxing license because she was a woman, and the case was decided in her favor later that year, with the judge invalidating New York State rule number 205.15, which stated, “No woman may be licensed as a boxer or second or licensed to compete in any wrestling exhibition with men.”[12][13] In his opinion the judge cited the precedent set by Garrett v. New York State Athletic Commission (1975), which “found the regulation invalid under the equal protection clauses of the State and Federal Constitutions”.
[14] On June 8, 1975, Tonawanda participated in the interstylistic All Martial Arts Tournament, part of the Aaron Bank's Oriental World of Self Defense show, held in Madison Square Garden, where she fought kickboxer Larry Rodania, knocking him out early in the 2nd round with a left to the jaw.
[10] On June 9, 2009, Tonawanda died of colon cancer at Harlem's Mount Sinai Hospital.