The 411 Magazine The 411 Magazine issue 4 July/Aug 2017 | Page 76

FEATURE
THE RISE
OF
WOMEN'S
BOXING
by Reshma Madhi
2012
was a pivotal year for women’s
boxing. Not only did the sport
become an official Olympic event for the first time, but it
demonstrated that it could generate as much interest
from audiences as the male sport. Since then, the sport
has been gaining attention at an amateur level too. The
profile of leading female boxers has helped breakdown
stereotypical gender roles.
Women’s boxing has long been in the shadow of
men’s. The perception that there is little good quality
female boxing talent has meant a lack of support from
TV networks and promoters, the very arenas able to
76
help market, develop and earn a living for women
boxers.    
T
FORGET
WOMEN'S
BOXING, IT'S
JUST BOXING
         he current                
         generation of
female boxers have
been persevering
though to prove those
perceptions wrong and
garner serious interest
and respect. They are
trailblazers trying to
change the status quo,