(NOV 3) AIBA is pleased to present two special women's bouts in the 48kg and 63kg weight categories which will be contested prior to the start of the finals of the AIBA World Boxing Championships Chicago 2007 on Saturday, November 3 starting at 13.30.

Profiles of four female boxers in the special bouts at the Men's 2007 AIBA World Boxing Championships Chicago

48 kg - Olesya Gladkova (RUS)
Age: 27
Hometown: Norosibizsk, Russia
Began Boxing: 2000
Other activities/interests: Ms. Gladkova recently finished her professional degrees at the Academy of Sea Transportation, where she studied Economics and Engineering. An accomplished kickboxer, Ms. Gladkova also races cars in her spare time.
Career Highlights:
World Champion in 2005 & 2006
European Champion in 2005 & 2006

48 kg - Marlen Esparza (USA)
Age: 18
Hometown: Houston, Texas, USA
Began Boxing: 2000
Other activities/interests: Ms. Esparza is also accomplished in cross-country, track and swimming. She begins college classes next semester at St. Thomas in Houston, Texas.
Career Highlights:
2007 PanAmerican Silver Medallist
2006 World Championships Bronze Medallist

63 kg - Katie Taylor (IRE)
Age: 21
Hometown: Wicklow, Ireland
Began Boxing: 1998
Other activities/interests: Ms. Taylor is in college, studying Sports and Leisure. She is also an accomplished soccer player, representing Ireland in international competition. Ms. Taylor is coached by her father, Peter, who was the 1986 Irish light heavyweight champion.
Career Highlights:
European Lightweight Champion in 2005, 2006, 2007
World Lightweight Champion in 2006

63 kg - Katie Dunn (CAN)
Age: 23
Hometown: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Began Boxing: 2000
Other activities/interests: Ms. Dunn came to boxing after a start in kickboxing. Ms. Dunn a licensed massage therapist. She is also enrolled in the creative writing program at the University of Windsor.
Career Highlights:
2005, 2006, 2007 PanAm Lt. Welterweight Champion
2005 & 2006 World Lt. Welterweight Bronze Medallist

The four female boxers selected for this special demonstration were chosen among the thousands of female boxers around the world who all dream of being included in the 2012 Olympic Games. Women's Olympic-style boxing is practiced in 120 countries around the world, and its popularity is growing. The two special bouts represent the skill, courage, and determination of female boxers everywhere. Next year will feature the 5th Women's World Championships shortly after the men's Olympics.