Women's Amateur Boxing Legitimacy for the 2012 London Olympics

With the 2012 London Olympics just over the horizon, the stage is being set for the first time two women will step in the ring to battle for gold. However, is it worth it? Has the addition of female competition caused ripple effects in the sports community, good or bad?

It was a big deal for the sport of wrestling when women were added to the schedule in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Women wrestlers rejoiced as male boxers took the blow of reducing their weight division from 12 to 11. Now as women boxers rejoice, male boxers take a blow  again as their weight divisions reduce from 11 to 10.

What benefits were received in the sport of wrestling from the addition of women in the Olympics? The hope was that collegiate programs would be saved as more women sought after acceptance to colleges with coed opportunities. Some schools, such as California’s Menlo College, did offer all female squads. However, the truth remains: Wrestling programs continue to be the first on the chopping block as schools try to deal with budget cuts under the guise of equal opportunity for women.

The scuttlebutt has been the same for decades that the sport of boxing is dead and as the UFC attempts to hammer the final nails in the coffin, the boxing community is left wondering, “Why now?” The latest attempts of the International Amateur Boxing Association, or AIBA, have given us the almost non-existent World Series of Boxing and women’s boxing in the Olympics—both of which are trying to assist boxers in prolonging their amateur careers.

The past formulas have been simple for male and female boxers. For men, develop a strong amateur record and try to go pro. Olympic medalists can expect higher purses with the majority of amateurs not making the transition to the pros. For women, a brief amateur stint then the pros for those who are committed. The reason for a short amateur career is due to the small pool of boxers that results in being matched up with the same opponent numerous times. Most female boxers realize that turning pro is not difficult and pays.

What good will come of women boxing in divisions that could have them facing a 10-pound weight advantage? What display of skill and mastery will come of facing an opponent with a 10-pound weight disadvantage? Was this addition truly in the best interest of the sport of boxing? And how much more can their male counterparts take in order to provide women with ample opportunities?

We will have to wait to see the outcome in London.