INDIANA — Following the tragic death of championship-contending boxer Hannah Rapp, the Indiana Boxing Hall of Fame has announced that the late 26-year-old fighter will be posthumously inducted into its Class of 2027.
Rapp, a native of Yorktown, Indiana, was struck and killed while bicycling in rural Brazos County, Texas, on July 18. Despite her brief career in the professional ring, her rapid ascent and championship achievements left an indelible mark on the sport.
Indiana Boxing Hall of Fame founder and president Craig Houk confirmed that he personally called Rapp’s trainer to break the news.
“He almost broke down crying because he knew what that would mean a lot to Hannah, and knew what it would mean to her family,” Houk said. “She knew that one day she’d be a hall of famer. I think that was her dream come true. And I think she’s accomplished everything she could accomplish in such a short period of time.”
Nicknamed “Hanarchy,” Rapp was widely celebrated for her relentless aggression inside the squared circle paired with warmth and positivity in her personal life.
Hannah Rapp’s Record & Accomplishments:
Amateur: Indiana Golden Gloves Champion
Pro Record: 8-1-1 (5 KOs)
Titles: NABF Featherweight Champion
Challenge: WBC World Featherweight Title Contender (June 2026)
Athlete, Scholar, and Safety Inspector
Before lacing up boxing gloves, Rapp competed in track and field at Purdue University, where she graduated in 2022. In early 2024, she relocated to Texas after landing a full-time position as a fire and life safety inspector at Texas A&M University.
While balancing a full-time professional career, Rapp trained out of Bryan, Texas, quickly stringing together an undefeated 8-0-1 pro run that led to her capturing the National Boxing Federation (NABF) featherweight belt. Just weeks before her passing, in June 2026, Rapp challenged Tiara Brown in Orlando, Florida, for the WBC Women’s World Featherweight Championship, cementing her status among the elite in women’s boxing.
Circumstances Surrounding Her Death
According to sworn police affidavits from the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office, Rapp was riding bicycles with her boyfriend along FM 159 outside College Station on the morning of July 18 when a hatchback passed them at high speed.
When Rapp’s boyfriend raised his hands and hollered in frustration, the driver, identified as 31-year-old Charles Eric Medina, slammed on his brakes, skidded to a stop, and rapidly accelerated in reverse toward the pair.
The vehicle struck Rapp with enough force to shatter its rear windshield. Rapp was found unresponsive at the scene and was later pronounced dead at a regional hospital.
While Medina claimed he believed the couple was flagging him down, physical evidence, including backward acceleration skid marks and steering tracks, contradicted his account.
Medina was initially booked on manslaughter charges. Prosecutors have since added a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon alongside outstanding charges from another county. Records reveal Medina possesses a criminal history dating back to 2012, including prior arrests for reckless driving, evading law enforcement, and a 2020 hit-and-run.
Community Outpouring & Ceremony Details
Rapp’s sudden passing has sparked an overwhelming wave of grief and activism across both Indiana and Texas. Simultaneous candlelight vigils were hosted by her training gym in Bryan, Texas, her former gym in Brookston, Indiana, and her hometown of Yorktown. Meanwhile, thousands of supporters have signed petitions advocating for stricter Texas bail and bond conditions for repeat offenders.
| Event Details | Indiana Boxing Hall of Fame 2027 Ceremony |
| Dates | April 30 – May 1, 2027 |
| Location | Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Airport (8910 Hatfield Dr, Indianapolis, IN) |
| Notable Attendees | “Sugar” Shane Mosley, Larry Holmes, and former in-ring opponents of Hannah Rapp |
The 2027 Hall of Fame ceremony will serve as a celebration of Rapp’s legacy, ensuring her impact on Indiana sports history remains permanently honored.
