Women's Boxing

What do the DUers who watch boxing think about women's boxing? I know that at times even some people inside women's boxing complained that it was not completely up to par. Does anyone who watches boxing think women's boxing has made any gains over the recent years? Last night while looking at some other stories related to boxing I found a fight between Mia St. john (one of women's boxings best know fighters) and another woman. I did not watch the fight for very long, but what I did watch was not that good. This might have been an old fight and St. John may have gotten better over the years. So, I just wanted to get the opinion of people who watch boxing at DU. Please do not make this about whether or not women should box, but about whether there are any really good boxers on the female side of boxing. I am not trying to take away anyone's right to discuss this issue as they feel by saying do not make it about whether women should box, I am just trying to get a discussion about the skill in women's boxing.

They just beat the crap out of each other.

both of my daughters went from asking to politely demanding that I teach them to box. They are ages 12 and 15, and both are active in athletics at school. In recent years, they have watched numerous fights, both on tv and in person, with me and my sons.

Both were easily able to pick up on the basics. They were able to throw jabs, right crosses, left hooks, and uppercuts on the heavy bags. Both are in good condition, from the exercise that should be a big part of all physically active young people. They saved their money, and bought equipment, including matching "Irish" trunks & tops.

I was relieved when both decided, by the end of the summer, that they were no longer interested in competing in the Silver Gloves. Even at this level, boxing involves two things that are difficult, if not impossible, to avoid: hurting the opponent, and getting hurt. For, despite the art of self-defense, boxing is a violent sport.

I've seen females compete at the "junior" amateur, amateur, and professional level. Years ago, before women's boxing became more common, I helped train a few amateurs who competed. There were also numerous women who came exclusively for the work out and conditioning aspects. A number came to learn some skills in self-defense.

Because of the physical differences between the sexes, it is unwise to compare male and female boxers. Same basic sport, but two very different things, men's boxing and women's boxing. Hence, it may be difficult to find an adequate answer to your questions.