AIBA skirts around Olympic controversy

THE governing body of Olympic boxing says it will hold talks in January about women fighters wearing skirts instead of shorts at the 2012 London Games.

The International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) says it has not decided on uniform rules for women despite media reports to the contrary. AIBA’s technical and rules commission will meet in January to “offer recommendations” to the ruling executive committee.

AIBA says it is “seeking a consensus” from the boxing world and “the wider public”.

Ireland’s Katie Taylor has voiced her opposition to the possible change in the rules with her father Peter warning that she would not compete if the regulations are introduced.

“She won’t box,” he told this publication earlier this year when quizzed about the issue in April. “Simple as that. We’ve got morals that go above marketing. It’s discrimination. It’s men making these decisions and it’s wrong.

“It’s just marketing. We don’t need the marketing. If they just let the girls box as they are, people are going to be amazed how technically good they are.”

Meanwhile Floyd Mayweather looks set to return to boxing in May to face Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao in a much-anticipated showdown after years of wrangles.

“We’re looking to make the biggest fight possible and everyone knows what that fight is — the little fella,” Mayweather’s advisor Leonard Ellerbe told ESPN.

“Floyd made it very clear to us what he wanted to do. He told us he is looking to make the biggest fight that is out there and to make it in May. We’re going to do everything in our power to make the biggest fight out there for the fans and we all know what the fight is.”