(ATR) The level of competition at last week’s women’s boxing world championships bodes well for the sport’s Olympic debut at London 2012, a federation spokesman tells Around the Rings.
More than 300 boxers from 75 nations converged in Barbados for the tournament’s sixth edition and first since winning IOC blessing last year to join the program in London.
The highlight of the Sept. 9-18 event came not in a title bout, AIBA spokesman Paul O’Neil told ATR, but instead in the previous round.
Reigning 60kg world champ Katie Taylor of Ireland squared off Friday against Queen Underwood of the U.S. in a semifinal that felt more like a final.
"It was the first time that Katie Taylor looked a little bit vulnerable," O’Neil said, "so it’s a clear indication of how the sport’s developing. We are now getting quite a number of contenders in the different weight categories."
Taylor edged Underwood 18:16 and went on to capture her third consecutive world title and second consecutive boxer of the year award.
The 24-year-old fought her last few rounds in front of unexpected but not unwelcome crowds.
A mobile phone company on the island closed for two days so its many Irish workers could fill the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex in support of their countrywoman.
"Itwas actually quite a good crowd going into the quarters, semis and finals," O’Neil said.
In other action, Indian boxer Mary Kom won her fifth light flyweight title, and China's Ren Cancan took her second flyweight crown.
Russia was the only nation to have multiple gold medalists. Nadezhda Torlopova won the heavyweight division, and Elena Savelyeva took the bantamweight belt.
No Papers Filed Yet from Wu Challenger
English boxing chief Paul King announced last week that he would challenge incumbent C.K. Wu for the presidency of AIBA.
"What I seek is change, but change which represents the best interests of the worldwide boxing community," King said in a statement.
AIBA headquarters says it has yet to receive the necessary paperwork from King.
"We’ve not received any formal nominations other than that for President Wu himself," O’Neil confirmed.
Wu was elected AIBA President in 2006, running a reform-driven campaign that narrowly unseated Anwar Chowdhry, who had held the post for more than 20 years.
The deadline is Sept. 30 Lausanne time. Member federations will then convene in Kazakhstan for a two-day congress, with a vote slated for Nov. 2.
Written by Matthew Grayson.
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