The Cause

11/3/07 - AIBA's commitment to women's Olympic boxing continues with rule amendments.
AIBA Women's Commission has recommended rule changes which bring in line men's and women's boxing rules, adds a junior program for females, and encourages national federations to continue to grow boxing for girls and women around the world.  11 new weight classes for female boxers:  46kg, 48kg, 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 64kg, 69kg, 75kg, 81kg, & 81+kg.

9/20/07 - AIBA announces two special women's bouts to be contested prior to the start of the Men's World Championship finals on Saturday, November 3. 
Boxers will be chosen among thousands of female boxers from around the world, all who dream of being included in the 2012 Olympic Games.  Women's Olympic-style boxing is practiced in 120 countries around the world, and its popularity is growing. The two special bouts represent the skill, courage, and determination of women boxers everywhere.

6/10/07 - First AIBA Women's Commission meeting productive
The 10-person Commission for women's Olympic-style boxing around the world had a highly productive meeting at the beginning of this month.  President Wu, Executive Director Ho Kim, and the AIBA Commission members are enthusiastic and optimistic about the future of women's Olympic boxing.  read more

05/01/07 - New AIBA leadership supportive of women's boxing
President Wu, the new President of AIBA (the International Boxing Federation) announces his support of women's boxing, and appoints a new chair of the AIBA Women's Commission, Ms. Joyce Bowen of Barbados.  Ms. Bowen announces the membership of new AIBA Women's Commission.

International advocates for women's participation in the Olympic Games announce their intention to try for admittance in the 2012 Olympics:
Europe and Olympic Committee and Irish Olympic Council responds... read more
USA Boxing responds ... read more

To the dismany of many, the IOC announced that boxing would not be added to women's sports for the 2008 Games in Beijing, leaving boxing as the single Olympic sport without a women's event:

Reports from the BBC ... read more
Reports from the US ... read more

In 2005, there was hope that women's boxing would be added to the 2008 Beijing Olympics
:

In Canada they held out hope ... read more
In China they held out hope... read more
In India they held out hope ... read more

Women's Boxing Fact Sheet 2008

For a brief one-page overview, download a fact sheet here.


Key Dates in Women's Boxing History

1904: Women’s and Men’s Boxing events were both display events at the Olympic Games in St. Louis, USA (men’s boxing was added to the official program)
1980’s: National Governing Bodies officially organize women’s amateur boxing national teams
2001: First Women’s World Championships
2002: Second Women’s World Championships
2005: Third Women’s World Championships
2005: The IOC Executive Committee rejects the addition of a women’s boxing event to the 2008 Olympic Program
2006: Fourth Women’s World Championships
2008: Proposed Fifth Women’s World Championships
2009: The IOC is scheduled to make a decision about the 2012 Olympic Program

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