Expelled as teenager from Blackpool High School, by the time she was 26 Jane Crouch was facing a life of drugs, alcohol abuse and violence. Watching US women’s boxing on television probably saved her. Deciding she could do better than that she approached her local gym to box, Jane faced her first obstacle: they wouldn’t let her join.

As there were no amateur women’s boxing tournaments, Jane had to move straight to the professional league. She faced nothing but opposition from officials and found herself up against the tougher rules and regulations placed on women boxers.

More than 15 years later, Jane is one of Britain’s most acclaimed female boxers, participating over the course of her career in 42 professional matches, including 27 world title fights.

The announcement that the International Olympic Committee chiefs had voted to finally add women’s boxing to the 2012 Games in London was a happy moment for female boxers around the world, although it comes 15 years too late for Jane.

The sport is gaining popularity with women, with female boxers in 120 federations around the world. In Britain alone there are almost 60 registered female boxers compared with 50 in 2005. This has forced the IOC to start taking the sport seriously.

“Women’s boxing has come on a tremendous amount in the last five years and it was time to include them,” IOC President, Jacques Rogge, told the BBC.

The announcement has also met with its fair share of indignation from those who believe women do not belong in the ring.

“We’ll hear the same old arguments against women’s boxing trotted out that we heard 10-15 years ago, Jane said.”The sport doesn’t suit everyone. It doesn’t suit all men but is does suit some women. They should be allowed to fight as amateurs at the highest level,” The Telegraph reported.

As Jane predicted, the IOC’s decision has caused a ripple of debate in the sports world about the dangers associated with boxing.

The British Medical Association (BMA) disapprove of the inclusion, saying that, gender aside, boxing as a sport is irresponsible.

“Irrespective of their gender, during the course of a fight boxers can suffer acute brain haemorrhage and serious damage to their eyes, ears and nose. Throughout their career, boxers will receive thousand of blows to the head. Each blow received results in the brain being shaken within the skull,” he told BBC Sports.

Labour MP, Paul Flynn, has long petitioned for the sport to be banned.

“This is a foolish act. I’m very disappointed to see it’s being presented as something to do with women’s rights,” the BBC reported.

British boxer Amir Khan echoes these same old misconceptions about the ‘fairer’ sex.

“Deep down I think women shouldn’t fight. That’s my opinion. When you get hit it’s very painful. Women can get knocked out,” he told the BBC.

“That to me is the same as when men argue that women shouldn’t lift weights because, ‘Oh no, they have a delicate uterus!’” blogger Alexis said on Feministe.

Boxing has always been a violent sport. People get hurt and long-term permanent damage is a risk every boxer takes. Mike Tyson is a good example of where constant blows to the head can lead you.

It is important to ask ourselves where this concern over potential injury comes from. It sounds well-intentioned, and it is for the most part, but let us please differentiate between concerns over violent sports in general and concern at the idea of women in violent sports. Not all disapproval is as politically correct as the BMA’s.

In 1992, Jane fought the British Boxing Board of Control for the right to a licence. The court battle lasted for six years but eventually she emerged triumphant. The war was far from won however. In 1998, some Board officials actually refused to work at her match against Simona Lukic in Streatham. Boxing promoter, Frank Maloney applauded their decision. “In my opinion, all officials should have boycotted it. The only reason for women to be in the ring is as ring card girls.”
Boxing promoter, Frank Warren, “I don’t like watching women fight for the same reason I don’t watch male synchronised swimming, they’re not built for it” The Telegraph reported.

“I don’t like seeing women fighting on the front lines of Iraq, not because they shouldn’t be allowed to, but because I personally find the idea of allowing women to be put in harm’s way troubling.

As the last all-male sport of the summer Olympics, we can only celebrate the decision to include women as a triumph for women’s equality. If the sport is dangerous, then discuss banning it but don’t exclude women for fear we may break a nail.

Now retired, Jane says the IOC’s decision will at least help the next generation of women boxers enter the ring.

“They are not going to have to box abroad, in far-flung places against more experienced fighters early in their careers for £500. They won’t have to fight the Boxing Board for a licence.”

Sir Henry Cooper stated: “I’m just old fashioned, but I don’t think women should box. Look at how Muhammad Ali has ended up. That said, it hasn’t stopped his daughter Laila becoming a boxer. I suppose I don’t want to see women punching each other, and ending up bloody and with scar tissue all over their faces. Boxing training in the gym is great for everyone. But I think it should stop there for women.”

Laila, however, says she is rapt with the decision. “I am proud of each and every young lady who has chosen to follow her heart into the bold world of boxing…rumble, young girl, rumble!”