Women's boxing

<b>Key dates: </b>Aug. 5, women's boxing makes its Olympic debut<br> <br> <b>Venue: </b>ExCel Exhibition Centre<br> <br> <b>Big story: </b>Although the fields are half as deep as in the men's competition -- 12 fighters versus 32 -- and although there are three weight classes versus 10 for the men, women's boxing will make its first appearance as a medal sport.<br> <br> <b>Top U.S. prospects: </b>Houston flyweight <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PESPT00016133" title="Marlen Esparza" href="/topic/sports/boxing/marlen-esparza-PESPT00016133.topic">Marlen Esparza</a>, lightweight Queen Underwood of Seattle and middleweight <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PESPT00016135" title="Claressa Shields" href="/topic/sports/boxing/claressa-shields-PESPT00016135.topic">Claressa Shields</a> of Flint, Mich., all have a good shot at making the podium (all above).<br> <br> <b>Others to watch: </b><a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PLGEO000008" title="Republic of Ireland" href="/topic/intl/republic-of-ireland-PLGEO000008.topic">Ireland's</a> Katie Taylor, arguably the best women's amateur in the world, is a heavy favorite in the lightweight division (132 pounds). Flyweight Mary Kom, a mother of two from India, is a five-time world champion.<br> <br> <b>Little-known fact: </b>Women's boxing was on the schedule in St. Louis in 1904 as an exhibition event, but just six women -- in all sports -- are listed as having taken part in those Games.

( Wally Skalij )

Key dates: Aug. 5, women's boxing makes its Olympic debut

Venue: ExCel Exhibition Centre

Big story: Although the fields are half as deep as in the men's competition -- 12 fighters versus 32 -- and although there are three weight classes versus 10 for the men, women's boxing will make its first appearance as a medal sport.

Top U.S. prospects: Houston flyweight Marlen Esparza, lightweight Queen Underwood of Seattle and middleweight Claressa Shields of Flint, Mich., all have a good shot at making the podium (all above).

Others to watch: Ireland's Katie Taylor, arguably the best women's amateur in the world, is a heavy favorite in the lightweight division (132 pounds). Flyweight Mary Kom, a mother of two from India, is a five-time world champion.

Little-known fact: Women's boxing was on the schedule in St. Louis in 1904 as an exhibition event, but just six women -- in all sports -- are listed as having taken part in those Games.

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