Women keep breaking barriers: International Olympic Committee to include Female Boxing in 2012
by Zak Woods on Aug 13, 2009 2:00 PM EDT
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In the world of Mixed Martial Arts the first ever female title fight, and first ever female main event, will take place this Saturday as Gina Carano will fight Cris "Cyborg" Santos. Boxing will also be breaking a major glass-ceiling as the IOC recently announced the inclusion of female boxing as a sport for 2012 games. Boxing was the last summer Olympic sport to only have male competition. The IOC considered allowing female boxing in the 2008 games but ruled against it.
Most likely one men's weight class may be removed but three female weight classes will be added, Women will fight at flyweight (105.6-112.2lbs., 48-51kg), lightweight (123.2-132lbs., 56-60kg) and middleweight (151.8-165lbs., 69-75kg).
MMA and MMA fans have proven themselves far more accepting of female combat competition than the boxing community. Since the summer games are in London this decision by the IOC is getting a great deal of press. Remember there is a movement in England to ban boxing and by extension MMA and there is significant resistance to the inclusion of female boxing,
Former boxer and Labour MP Paul Flynn described the decision as "foolish" and said it was not a step forward for female equality.
The politician, who has tabled two private members' bills to get boxing banned, said: "This is a foolish act. I'm very disappointed to see it's being presented as something to do with women's rights."
He added: "If anyone still believes boxing is a healthy sport there's two words for them - Muhammad Ali."
British boxer Amir Khan, an Olympic silver medallist in 2004, said: "Deep down I think women shouldn't fight. That's my opinion.
"When you get hit it's very painful. Women can get knocked out."
Here's a great audio segment of a reporter calling out a boxer on his blatant bias.
Personally, this is a fantastic development for female athletes and the sport of boxing. However, it also demonstrates the great disparity between social acceptance between the old guard boxing community and the new generation of MMA fans. Perhaps this is another sign of why boxing is waning in popularity?
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pretty darn amazing. i didn’t even know there was a lobby for women’s boxing in the olympics. they just recently dumped womens softball from the olympics. its strange they added womens boxing.
hopefully its professional women. amateur women fights can be painful to watch.
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