IOC member cooks up storm over women's boxing comments

 TUNISIAN IOC member Mohammed Mzali has cooked up a storm over women's boxing at the London 2012 Olympics, admitting he is concerned over the athletes' looks.

 LONDON CALLING: Women's boxing will make it's first Olympic appearance at the London 2012 Olympics

Women's boxing will make its Olympic debut in London following the recommendations of the IOC's Executive Board in August, ensuring all 26 summer sports will be represented by both sexes.

As Olympic Programme Commission chief Franco Carraro pointed out to the rest of the IOC members, that will ensure more than 45 per cent of competitors at London 2012 will be female.

But Mzali's comments prompted an angry response from American IOC member Anita DeFrantz and are sure to stoke the fires of the Amateur Boxing International Federation.

He said: "I am concerned because women have good figures but when it comes to boxing they could get black eyes.

"They could also be punched on their breasts which are normally for feeding babies and they might even faint in competition."

But DeFrantz, one of only 15 female members of the IOC, sprang to the defence of female boxers.

"While Mr Mzali's comments were not without their charms, it's that approach that has been the problem so long," she said.

"The athletes are absolutely prepared when they step into the boxing ring and we have to be very careful about letting our perceptions of beauty affect our opinions.

"We must think about the athletes and what is best for them."

Meanwhile, Professor Arne Ljundqvist, chairman of the IOC's Medical Commission and vice-chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency, insists the research carried out proves there are no serious dangers to female boxers.

"We were comprehensive in our research and we concluded that Olympic boxing is not a risk," he added.

"If anything, women's boxing is less dangerous than the male equivalent for the simple reason that men's punches are harder and heavier."

Carraro gave the final word on the matter at the IOC Session but Mzali's comments are sure to rock the boat at the world boxing governing body, who have been staunch supporters of women's boxing.

"I believe that every woman has the right to choose her sport and the Executive Board took a historical decision because this was the one sport that did not have female participants."