There are a total of 13 events on the Olympic boxing program for London 2012 including the official debut of women’s boxing in three weight classes.

Boxing is one of seven Olympic sports that will take place at ExCeL (Exhibition Centre London).

London 2012 Storylines:
Women’s boxing makes its official Olympic debut at the London 2012 Games. It had originally been a demonstration sport at the 1904 Games.

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali will turn 70 years old in 2012 (born January 17, 1942). Ali, who was born under the name Cassius Clay, won the gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. In one of the great moments in Olympic history, Ali was also selected to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

Canada's Outlook:
The addition of women’s boxing to the Olympic program should benefit Canada as three-time World Champion Mary Spencer is the top ranked boxer in the Light-Heavyweight (75kg) weight class and a favourite to bring home Canada’s first gold in boxing since Lennox Lewis in Seoul 1988. Spencer, who was the 2005 and 2008 World Champion and 2006 World bronze medallist at 66kg moved up to the 75kg division in preparation for the limited weight classes on the Olympic program in 2012.  She had immediate success, winning gold at the 2010 Women’s World Championships, defeating the defending world champion, China’s Li Jinzi, 14-2.  Spencer is now the world’s top-ranked female boxer at 75kg.

After capturing her ninth National title with a victory over Ariane Fortin, Spencer now needs only a top eight finish at the 2012 AIBA Women's Boxing Championships in Qinhaungdao, China in May to officially earn an Olympic berth. 

Although Canada has won 17 Olympic medals in boxing (3 G, 7 S, 7 B), no Canadian boxer has reached the podium since David Defiagbon’s silver in the heavyweight division in Atlanta 1996.  Just one Canadian boxer, Adam Trupish, qualified for Beijing 2008 and was defeated in the first round.  The best hope for a Canadian male qualifier would be super heavyweight Simon Kean, who won the 2010 Canadian Senior Open Boxing Championships in December.   

International Athletes – At a Glance:

MEN

Enkhbatyn Badar-Uugan – Mongolia

• 2008 Olympic Champion (bantamweight 54kg)
• Was named 2008 AIBA Best Male Boxer of the Year

Vasyl Lomachenko – Ukraine

• 2008 Olympic Champion (featherweight 57kg)
• Won the Val Barker Trophy in Beijing 2008; awarded by the AIBA executive committee to the boxer who shows the best style and proficiency at the Olympic Games

Roberto Cammarelle – Italy

• 2008 Olympic Champion, 2004 Olympic bronze medallist (super heavyweight +91kg)
• 2007 and 2009 World Champion (super heavyweight +91kg)  

WOMEN

Mary Kom – India

• 2010 World Champion (flyweight 48kg)
• Has won medals in all six AIBA Women’s World Championships; including five straight gold medals (four at the now-discontinued 46kg, one at 48kg)