A History of Boxing with Malissa Smith

On this episode of Sport in Focus Chris Stafford talks to boxer and author Malissa Smith who is the author of A History Of Women's Boxing which will be in its second edition in time for the 202 Tokyo Olympic Games,. Malissa is a speaker and writes frequently on the topic of women's boxing. She is also a practitioner of the sport herself and as she puts it has a keen understanding of the demands of the sweet science on the women who contest the sport, as well as the challenges they face. The sport has a curious history women’s game since it dates back to the 18th Century and we learn perhaps surprisingly that variety dancers were known to enjoy prize fighting.

Throughout boxing’s history, women have fought in and out of the ring to gain respect in a sport traditionally considered for men alone. Records of modern female boxing date back to the early eighteenth century in London, and in the 1904 Olympics an exhibition bout between women was held. Yet it was not until the 2012 Olympics—more than 100 years later—that women’s boxing was officially added to the Games. A History of Women’s Boxing traces the sport back to the 1700s, through the 2012 Olympic Games, and up to the present. Inside-the-ring action is brought to life through photographs, newspaper clippings, and anecdotes, as are the stories of the women who played important roles outside the ring, from spectators and judges to managers and trainers.

Host: Chris Stafford

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