Optimism palpable ahead of women's boxing decision

Hope is growing today that women’s boxing would be allowed in to the ring at the London 2012 Olympics.

The decision would leave Ireland in an excellent position to bring home gold at the 2012 games with lightweight world champion Katie Taylor a heavy favourite to win the top prize at odds of 1/8.

The decision, due on Thursday, comes after women’s boxing came tantalisingly close to inclusion in the 2008 Games only to be rejected when the IOC ruled it would not offer added value to the Olympic programme.

Irish bookmaker Paddy Power is now quoting 1/10 that women will get the go ahead for London.

British boxing officials also said they were “quietly confident” today.

“I think the IOC would have to have a really good reason not to allow women to compete at the Olympics because it is the only Olympic sport in which women can not compete – and AIBA (the international boxing association) has done all they can,” said Rebecca Gibson, the Amateur Boxing Association of England’s (ABAE) national women’s boxing development manager.