Boxing has been a men's sport since it was organized officially in the 19th century, and a men's competitive pastime since before the start of recorded history. One of the results of the women's movement in the latter half of the 20th century is that women now compete in this traditionally male activity.
Common Rules
The structure and basic play of women's boxing is identical to that of boxing for men. Two fighters within the same weight class compete in a roped-off square platform, called a ring, and use punches and maneuvering to demonstrate superiority. A knockout or technical knockout -- a situation where the referee stops a clearly one-sided contest -- ends the fight and awards victory to the superior fighter. Rules governing the size of the ring, age categories, safety precautions and fouls are the same regardless of gender.
Round Structure
Women's and girls' bouts are comprised of four two-minute rounds, as opposed to the three three-minute rounds fought by men and boys in International Boxing Association competition. Junior girls and boys both fight bouts of the same length: three rounds, each two minutes long. Rest times between rounds are one minute, regardless of gender.
Weight Classes
To minimize the advantage of larger fighters over smaller fighters, boxing rules divide fighters into weight classes. Weight classes for elite women's boxing are light flyweight (45 to 48 kg), flyweight (48 to 51 kg), bantamweight (51 to 54 kg), featherweight (54 to 57 kg), lightweight (57 to 60 kg), light welterweight (60 to 64 kg), welterweight (64 to 69 kg), middleweight (69 to 75 kg), light heavyweight (75 to 81 kg) and heavyweight (over 81 kg). The 2012 Olympic Games will use only three weight classes for women: flyweight (48 to 51 kg), lightweight (57 to 60 kg) and middleweight (69 to 75 kg). This represents a reduction of 10 classes from the 13 observed in other women's international boxing competitions.
Female Physiology
AIBA rules provide two exceptions for women that relate directly to their physiology. For reasons of modesty, female boxers may wear a sports bra or other top during competition -- males must be shirtless. Also, a female about to enter a sanctioned fight must undergo a physical examination to ensure she is neither pregnant, nor menstruating. For obvious reasons, these rules do not apply to male boxers.
References
- AIBA Rules
- Bill Packer; Boxing and Kickboxing Coach; Bad Company Fight Team; Albuquerque, New Mexico
- USA Today: Women Boxers Hope to Send Message to IOC
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