Women's boxing already had a star. She just needed a stage.
Irish fighter Katie Taylor found one at the ExCel arena yesterday and within four pulsating rounds against Natasha Jonas proved female fighters would be just fine at the Olympics. More than fine.
Their lightweight quarterfinal fight had plenty, if not all, the qualities boxing fans like. Already a world champion, Taylor was quick, skillful and clinical. And, in the end, too good for her British opponent.
Jonas was gutsy. A battling underdog who never gave in and pushed and harried a better opponent all the way to the final bell. She took some shots and kept coming back.
"I was expecting a real battle in there and that's what I got," Taylor said as reporters crowded her slight, 1.52-meter (5-foot-5) frame backstage.
Thousands of fans at the ExCel agreed. The noise didn't let up. Irish tricolor flags outnumbered the Union Jacks, but only just. There also was rows and rows of home support for Jonas, herself a former British and European champion.
"Boxing's boxing. You live to fight another day," a disappointed Jonas said after being outpointed 26-15 in the battle of the two home favorites. "Apart from a bit of a black eye, I've got out of the ring unscathed."
In their vests, baggy shorts and head guards, the female fighters dress just like the men. There wasn't any real difference once the punches came, either.
Sure the men hit with more power, but the 36 women making history as the first female boxers at the Olympics don't hold back.
The 26-year-old Taylor, the top-ranked fighter and reigning amateur world champ in the women's lightweight division, may be the best of all of the ladies lacing up the gloves in London for the first time at an Olympics.
