Wire Services
BY DAVID A. AVILA THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE OF RIVERSIDE, CALIF.
Liz Quevedo, one of the standout female amateur boxers in the country, recently announced her entry to the world of professional boxing.
Could she be the one who brings much-needed attention back to the sport?
The state of women's boxing has declined the past few years, especially following the failure of several high-profile bouts and the lack of television exposure.
TV networks rarely spotlight female boxers or show their bouts. But television is not the only problem. Many promoters also tend to stay away from females.
Quevedo, a statuesque woman who trains out of a gym in Commerce, Calif., captured four U. S. National amateur titles as a junior welterweight and welterweight.
Female boxing is different from men's boxing. First, men fight three-minute rounds and women two-minute rounds. Second, the world title fights are 12 rounds for men and 10 for women.
One woman - Layla McCarter - is single-handedly attempting to change that.
Recently, the Nevada State Athletic Commission allowed McCarter to fight Belinda Laracuente for the Global Boxing Union lightweight title in three-minute rounds.
Now, McCarter is defending her Global Boxing Union lightweight title and meeting Donna Biggers for the World Boxing Association lightweight title in a 12-round bout.
Three years ago many hailed the emergence of Muhammad Ali's daughter, Laila "She Bee Stingin"' Ali, as the boost that women's boxing needed.
Since 1999, Ali has risen to the top of the rankings, defeating several solid opponents and capturing world titles in two weight classes.
Along the way, Ali has steadily improved her skills and now seems capable of beating any female boxer in the world.
"She's the poster woman for female boxing, whether she likes it or not," Rick Smith, of Uppercut Magazine, said.
Three years ago, when several TV networks refused to carry Ali's fight against Christy Martin, her team turned to pay-per-view television. More than 100,000 viewers tuned in.
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