First ever women's boxing match between Russia and US to be held in Saint Petersburg

The first ever women's boxing match between America and Russia will take place in Saint Petersburg on September 5. As a Rosbalt correspondent was informed by the organising committee for the event, each team will contain 11 competitors. The two lightest weight categories will not be represented in the match but the other boxers are currently the strongest in the two countries. The Russian team will include competitors from Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Stavropol and Hanti Mantiisk.

The competition is being organised by the Women's Boxing Federation with the support of the Afghanvet Council of Afghan War Veterans.

Women's boxing appeared in Russia in the middle of the nineties. About 40 women took part in the first national boxing competition in 1999, while 60 took part in 2000 and about 90 women boxed in the 2001 competition. Russia took first place in the European Women's Boxing Championship in 2001 and at the first World Championships in the US the Russian team won four gold medals, two silver and three bronze.

There are currently discussions as to whether or not women's boxing should be included in the Olympics programme for 2008. Women will box at the 2004 Olympics but merely as a demonstrational event.