Adams, Taylor and Shields strike Olympic Gold in London by Michael O'Neill August 9, 2012

(AUGUST 9) A great day’s boxing at the ExCeL Centre here in London’s Docklands brought the historic first edition of women’s boxing in the 30th Olympiad to a close with universal praise from not only the AIBA but also from within the boxing community, from other sports stars, male and female and from the vast majority of the media present.  Full Story

Shields, Adams, Torlpova and Taylor star on semi-finals day at the ExCeL by Michael O'Neill August 8, 2012

(AUGUST 8) Another 11,000 ‘full house’ here at the ExCeL Centre Arena in London Docklands today for the Women’s semi-finals at the XXX Olympiad. The atmosphere once again, as for the first two days , was ‘electric’ and again those present saw some first class boxing . Most of the crowd this reporter spoke with professed to be ‘seriously impressed’ with the high quality of the action they saw and literally hundreds had simply turned up in the vain hope of finding a ticket – those were mainly ‘new’ supporters of women's boxing as a result of the action they witnessed on TV over the first two days.  Full Story

Taylor excels at the ExCeL by Michael O'Neill August 6, 2012

(AUGUST 6) Another magnificent advertisement for women’s boxing today at the ExCeL Centre in London which reached the quarter finals stage. Not a spare seat to be found in the 10,000 seater arena and hundreds more outside seeking that elusive non-available ticket.Across the Irish Sea, in the seaside resort of Bray, home of World Champion(60kg) Katie Taylor, Gardaí (police) estimated that in excess of 6,000 people had turned out on the seafront to cheer on their favourite, on big screens, as she faced up to Team GB’s Natasha Jonas.  The atmosphere within the ExCeL Centre was truly electric – the British fans have been hugely supportive of all their Olympic athletes, and with some justification – today was no exception yet they were out sung by their Irish neighbours whose chants of "Olé, olé olé “ and rendering of “ The Fields of Athenry” almost brought the house down.  Full Story

Olympic Games - Day 1 review from London (with additional reporting from AIBA.org) by Michael O'Neill August 5, 2012

 (AUGUST 5) An excellent first day’s boxing at the XXX Olympiad here at London’s ExCeL Centre ended with India’s Chungneijang Mery Kom Hmangte, better known as Mary Kom , being the ‘star’ of the show. The five times World AIBA Pinweight (46 kg) Champion had moved up two weights to enable her to take part in this historic event and many wondered if she could reproduce her form of yesteryear for surely nothing else would suffice in a tournament that included such as Cancan Ren of China, GB’s Nikki Adams and Russia’s 2010 AIBA and 2011 European Champion, Elena Savelyeva. .  Full Story

A historic day in London Town as women's boxing 'arrives' after a 108 years wait by Michael O'Neill August 5, 2012

 (AUGUST 5) A fascinating day’s boxing in prospect as women's boxing is admitted to the Olympic Games some 108 years after the men first took part in the 1904 Games in St Louis. The good news for the AIBA is that all four days sessions have “sold out” according to a spokesperson for the London Organising Committee.  The honour of being the first women in the ring falls to Russia’s Elena Savelyeva and Hye Song Kim of the Peoples Republic of Korea.  Full Story

AIBA chief backs female boxers to shine at Games Copyrighted: Jagran Post Photo: AIBA July 30, 2012

 (JULY 30) LONDON - The man who lobbied the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to give women's boxing its Games debut in has backed the 36 pioneer female fighters to impress at London 2012. And Dr Wu Ching-Kuo, president of the International Association of Amateur Boxing (AIBA), expects them to perform so well that their numbers will be increased come the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.  Full Story

2012 Olympics in London - Official Draw Sheets July 28, 2012

 (JULY 28) WBAN has received the OFFICIAL DRAW SHEETS from London, via Christy Halbert!  WBAN has made these sheets available to the public.  To download the PDF's, (three of them) go here.  Draw Sheet -1, Draw Sheet-2, Draw Sheet-3.

The Path to Gold is Set for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team in London by Julie Goldsticker/USA Boxing July 27, 2012

(JULY 27) The path to gold was set on Friday for the 12 members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team at the official event draw on Friday at the ExCel Centre in London. The brackets in the 13 Olympic weight classes were drawn in front of representatives from all of the participating nations. Three U.S. boxers received first round byes with the remaining nine American athletes learning the identity of their opening day opponents.  The women’s draw was done first and both flyweight Marlen Esparza (Houston, Texas) and middleweight Claressa Shields (Flint, Mich.) received byes in their opening round bouts. Lightweight Queen Underwood (Seattle, Wash.) will face home nation boxer Natasha Jones of Great Britain in her Olympic Games opener on August 5. ..Full Story

Boxing: Katie Taylor & Queen Underwood to star in Official London 2012 film By Michael O’Neill July, 22, 2012

(JULY 22) We now know that the official London 2012 Olympics film will be written, produced and directed by Caroline Rowland of the London-based New Moon organisation.  The film, simply named “ FIRST” has been approved by both the International Olympic Committee and the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG).  Full Story

Flash from the Past! First TV Interview of Katie Taylor at Age 15  July 5, 2012

(JULY 5) Check out the very first TV interview that Katie Taylor of Ireland, who will be in the 2012 Olympics in London.  She talks about how she began boxing at age 12, and that at the age of 15, she gives insight as to what she would like to do in the sport.  There is also some footage of her father/trainer..Video

Underwood, Lacatus and Oubtil all get tickets to London June 29, 2012 Photo: RTE.IE

(JUNE 29) China's Dong Cheng, Morocco's Mahjouba Oubtil, Romania's Mihaela Lacatus and Queen Underwood of the USA have received wild card entries to the Olympic Games in Katie Taylor's lightweight class. The quartet...Full Story on rte.ie

Marlen Esparza Featured in July Issue Vogue Magazine! June 20, 2012 Photo: Vogue

(JUNE 20) WBAN received some exciting news that one of our USA amateur boxers who will be competing in the 2012 Olympics in London was featured in VOGUE magazine.  We received a press release stating the following: ..Full Story

Queen Underwood: New Olympic Addition by Bernie McCoy June 19, 2012

(JUNE 19) In a media teleconference, originating from Colorado Springs, USA Boxing introduced Queen Underwood as the newest addition to the 2012 Olympic female boxing squad. Underwood, who will compete as a lightweight, joins flyweight Marlen Esparaza and middleweight Claressa Shields on the three woman US squad that will compete in London in July. The Seattle based fighter was presented to the press by Tony Bartkowski, USA Boxing Executive Director...Full Story

Canadian boxer Mary Spencer given wild-card spot for London Games June 19, 2012 Photo: Getty

(JUNE 19) WINDSOR, Ont. - With her cherished Olympic dream locked in the grip of some faceless bureaucrats, Mary Spencer did what she does best. She fought her way through the adversity.  A three-time world champion in women`s boxing, Spencer finally received word Monday from Boxing Canada that she was headed to the 2012 Summer Games in London.
The International Amateur Boxing Association and the International Olympic Committee bestowed a ``quota spot'' to Spencer in the 75-kilogram division, one agonizing week later than expected.  ``This is not the way I planned on qualifying, but now that I`ve reached that milestone, my goal is the same. It`s to bring back the gold medal,'' Spencer said during a news conference at her home gym in Windsor. ``It`s going to make it extra sweet because of the circumstances.'' ...Full Story-Canada.com

AIBA confirms Olympic seeding and has an exclusive interview with Katie Taylor by Michael O'Neill June 1, 2012 Photo: Katie Taylor

(JUNE 1) The AIBA have re-confirmed that there will be but 2 seeded boxers in each of the three Women’s weight divisions at the 30th Olympiad in London later this Summer.    Full Story

Part Two-: The best of the rest of finals day at the AIBA 7th Women's World Championships-By Michael O’Neill May 21, 2012

 (MAY 21) China's President's Cup winner 20-year-old Xu Shiqi opened her light flyweight final with more effective punches against Philippines' AIBA Women's World Championships bronze medallist Josie Gabuco and led by 5:3 after four minutes fight. The Chinese boxer who moved down a division before the tournament lost the third round and had only one point advantage before the final frame. The 25-year-old Filipino fighter changed the fighting distance in the final round and that resulted a close victory for Gabuco which was the first ever gold medal for the Philippines in the history of the AIBA Women's World Championships...Full Story

Part One-The finals: The Olympic weights – 51kg, 60kg and 75kg. By Michael O’Neill With additional reporting by AIBA.org May 20, 2012 Photo: Ren Cancan

(MAY 20) Saturday was finals day in the 7th AIBA Women's World Boxing championships in Qinhuangdao, North East China which has also served as the only female Olympic Qualifier. Once again the main focus of attention was on the three Olympic weights 51 kg, 60kg and 75kg. We had already seen many surprises this week none more so than in the 75kg category where favourite, Canada’s Mary Spencer and United States sensation Claressa Shields were early casualties. ..Full Story
 

Katie Taylor Qualified for Olympic Games...But Clearly wants more By Michael O'Neill May 18, 2012

(MAY 18) Katie Taylor has already qualified for the Olympic Games but has made it quite clear that she dearly wants to go to the ExCeL Centre as the World Champion for the fourth time.   On Friday morning (today-timezone in China) she meets the ever improving 19 years old, Mavzuna Chorieva, the Tajikistan champion with the winner destined for Saturday morning's final against either Russia's Sofya Ochigava or England's Natasha Jonas...Full Story       All News Stories - 2012 China Championships

New Zealand Women Boxers eliminated at World Championships in China May 15, 2012 © Fairfax News Photo credit: John Selkirk/Fairfax Media

New Zealand's Alexis Pritchard has been bundled out of the women's world amateur boxing championships in Qinghuangdao, China.  Pritchard, a seven-time national champion who was considered New Zealand's best chance of making it to the Olympic Games, was thrashed 28-9 in her second round lightweight bout against crack American Quanitta Underwood.  Having won her first round bout by walkover, Pritchard was outclassed by the five-time United States champion who is considered to be America's best female boxing medal hope in London. Fellow New Zealand Olympic middleweight hopeful Hurricane Doyle also bowed out in the second round, beaten 22-13 by Dutchwoman Nouchka Fontijn. She had beaten Korean Un Hui Jang 12-7 on an RSC (referee stopping contest) decision in the first round.  The world championships double as an Olympic qualifying event, with boxers having to finish in the top six in their weight class to qualify for London.  Link

Underwood, Brown and Crews Advance at the 2012 World Championships While Shields Suffers Her First Loss by Julie Goldsticker May 15, 2012

(MAY 15) Lightweight Queen Underwood (Seattle, Wash.) moved one step closer to a berth in the 2012 Olympic Games with a convincing victory in her second bout of the 2012 World Championships on Monday in Qinhuangdao, China. Seventeen-year-old middleweight Claressa Shields (Flint, Mich.) suffered the first loss of six-year boxing career, but due to AIBA’s qualifying procedures, she could still have a shot at the Olympic Games. Featherweight Tiara Brown (Lehigh Acres, Fla.) and light heavyweight Franchon Crews (Baltimore, Md.) each won their opening bouts on Monday to...Full Story

Team USA’s Esparza and Cruz the Open 2012 World Championships in Victorious Fashion While Miller Notches Second Win by Julie Goldsticker May 15, 2012

(MAY 15) Former flyweight foes Marlen Esparza (Houston, Texas) and Christina Cruz (New York, N.Y.) opened 2012 Women's World Championships with first round victories in Qinhuangdao, China on Sunday. Esparza, who competes in the flyweight division, took her first step toward international qualification for the 2012 Olympic Games in London with an opening bout win in the qualifying tournament.  Esparza faced Argentina's Paola Benavidez in the flyweight preliminary round contest and she continued her impressive results against opponents from her continent, winning a 20-10 decision. Benavidez kept the bout close through the first two rounds as Esparza took a 3-1 lead after the first round and held...Full Story

Sarita upsets world champion in women's boxing by ibnlive.incom news May 15, 2012

(MAY 15) New Delhi: India's L Sarita Devi (60kg) stunned defending champion and world number 2 Gulsum Tatar of Turkey to enter the pre-quarterfinals of the seventh World Women's Boxing Championships in Qinhuangdao, China on Monday and inch closer to qualifying for the London Olympics. Asian champion Sarita, who is competing in just her second international event after jumping two divisions, defeated Tatar 14-13 in a see-saw contest to continue her bid for one of the two Olympic slots, which are available for India in this division. Women's boxing is making Olympic debut in London in three weight divisions – 51kg, 60kg and 75kg. ...ibnlive.in.com/news

Day Three at the 7th Women's World Championships in Qinhuangdao by Michael O'Neill May 13, 2012 Photo: Mery Kom (red)

(MAY 13) Today saw the first appearance of ‘Magnificent Mary’, at flyweight, at the 7th AIBA World Boxing Championships in Qinhuangdao as Indian ‘living legend’ and five times AIBA World Champion Chungneijang Mary Kom Hmangte came face to face with Japan’s Asian championships bronze medallist, Ayako Minowa. In truth it was a one-sided encounter since Mary won their bout as easily as the 20:9 judges verdict suggests. She now meets Norway's European Championships quarter-finalist 22-year-old Marielle Hansen. Marielle is ‘one for the future’ but it will be a major shock if she defeats.. Full Story

Day Two at the 7th Women's World Championships in Qinhuangdao by Michael O'Neill May 12, 2012

(MAY 12) Claressa Maria Shields and Quanitta Lee Underwood scored impressive wins for USA Boxing Saturday on the second day of the 7th AIBA Women’s World Championships in Qinhuangdao, China. An exceptionally busy day in the ring but no major surprises.  Shields, the 17 years old High School student from Flint was much too powerful for Indian champion, Pooja Rani winning their 75kg bout as easily as the 27: 10 victory  . .Full Story

The 2012 Women’s World Championships Draw is Completed in Qinhuangdao, China [Interesting Altered Olympic Qualification Process] by Julie Goldsticker -  USA Boxing May 11, 2012

(MAY 11) The Women’s World Championships official event draw was held today in Qinhuangdao, China and the three potential Olympians from the United States and six fellow World Championship team members know the road that lies ahead for each of them in the key international tournament.  An altered Olympic qualification process focused on continental quotas was announced at the event’s technical meeting on Thursday, and the United States’ three Olympic hopefuls will now have a slightly different road than initially thought to advance to London. While eight boxers from each Olympic weight class will still earn berths in China, the selections will be based on how they finish in comparison with the other boxers from their continent. Flyweight Marlen Esparza (Houston, Texas) and middleweight Claressa Shields (Flint, Mich.) will need to place in the top two from the Americas while lightweight Queen Underwood (Seattle, Wash.) requires a first place finish in the continent. Due to this wrinkle in the qualification process, it could be the end of the tournament before the full list of 2012 Olympic Games competitors is announced.  Full Story

7th Women's World Boxing Championship - and only Olympic qualifier By Michael O’Neill May 11, 2012

(MAY 11) The 7th edition of the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships got under way at the Qinhuangdao Olympic Stadium, in Qinhuangdao, China Friday where some 343 contestants from 77 are scheduled to take part, a new record for the event . In three weight categories, Flyweight 51kg, Lightweight 60kg, and Middleweight 75kg, there is even more than the world title at stake since the top eight in each, automatically qualify for a place in the 30th Olympiad in London later this Summer. Host nation, China has entered all ten weight divisions, so too Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Turkey and Ukraine, while the United States, Canada, France, Romania and Kenya all send nine representatives each. Vietnam and Australia supply eight whilst seven each from Germany, Poland, Serbia, DPR Korea and Venezuela have entered this qualification event  ..Full Story

Very Cool News...Laila Ali to be part of NBC's Olympics Coverage!  May 10, 2012

(MAY 10) WBAN just found out that Laila Ali   will be part of NBC's Olympics coverage as an analyst for women's boxing; she'll be based at their New York studios. Laila Ali was born five years after the 1972 passage of Title IX, during the initial surge of women's athletics. But when she turned to boxing at age 18, there was a competition that was out of reach for her.
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Crittenton Services bestows Bright Light Youth Award to National Boxing Champ May 9, 2012 Source/Press Release Photo: Courtesy

(MAY 9)  Today at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, DC, Crittenton Services of Greater Washington will celebrate 124 years of promoting the healthy development of teen girls. The High Tea will honor a distinguished group of women who have demonstrated leadership, commitment and dedication to making a difference in the lives of women and girls. It will also give voice to 80 talented teen girls – girls who are eager to show us what they have learned and even more eager to advocate for other teen girls.  Full Story

One “Extraordinary Women of the Ring”! By Michele Chong April 30, 2012 Original article, dated 04/25/12 Published on myboxingfans.com

(APR 30)  Krysti Rosario is one of the most dedicated individuals in the sport of boxing. You may not recognize her name but those in the amateur boxing world will quickly recognize her as one of the best USA Boxing and AIBA officials working as a referee and a judge today. With her blonde ponytail and slender build, the Southern California former  fighter still maintains her championship form.  Women in boxing aren’t so rare these days, especially with females being allowed to compete in the Olympics for the first time ever–beginning in London this summer. Full Story