Let'em Box, Just Like the Boys

Women's boxing has been voted in for the 2012 London games.

36 women will be divided into 3 weight classes -- flyweight (109 lbs-112 lbs), lightweight (123 lbs-132 lbs) and middleweight (152 lbs-165 pounds). There will be 12 boxers will be in each division, most of them qualifying from the world championships.

International Boxing Association's President, Dr. Ching-Huo Wu, said, "Women's Olympic boxing is a vote for the future."

I recently spoke with a gentleman from Ireland who is very excited about the news. He raved about Katie Taylor, 22, who he believes could bring home the gold for Ireland. She's the European and European Union lightweight boxing champion. Taylor has been fighting since she was 15, said the IOC's decision was "a dream come true."

India's Mary Kom, the world's most successful female amateur boxer, says she's been waiting for this for a long time. She's won four gold medals and a silver at the five women's world championships.

Houston's own Marlen Esparza, said she had tears in her eyes, when she heard about the ruling. Esparza currently ranked number 1 in the US recently won her 4th ringside title.

However, the IOC's decision has been not embraced by everyone. The head of the Caribbean nation's sports federation, Jose Barrientos, said, "We have no intention of participating for the moment in any international competition as we consider this discipline is "inappropriate" for women."

What do you think?