Chinese boxer Wang Yayin (L) punches Xu Dan in a game in Shanghai April 29, 2006. [Xinhua]

In a country where women used to have their feet bound to make them more attractive to men, women's boxing is growing in popularity and few people are batting an eyelid.

In an unkempt gymnasium in northern Shanghai, some 30 boys in their late teens and early 20s pair off to jockey on mats before taking it in turns to fight in the ring. At the other end of the room, eight women and girls are doing the same.

"I've only been boxing for half a year," said Ying Yueqi, a 16-year-old girl from China's Zhejiang province who wants to turn professional when she is older.

"My parents don't mind it at all. I come here six afternoons a week for three hours a time. I hope eventually to be as good as Dong Cheng," she said, pointing to a tough-looking, 1.78-metre woman sparring with her partner nearby.

"Some of my male friends are scared I might hit them," said the broad-shouldered Dong, 18.

"But they don't really mind women boxing, although there's not so many of us yet. This September I hope to go to Kunming in south China to compete in the national contest," added Dong, whose boxing hero is Muhammad Ali.

"Some of my friends still think it's abnormal but I've been into this since I was 15."

Coach Wang Lianfang is less athletic than his students. He arrives late and smells of alcohol but is apologetic and quick to extol the virtues of women's boxing.

"You could say this represents how much China has changed. Women's boxing has been going for 10 years only -- already we have equality of the sexes," said Wang, who has been boxing for more than 20 years.

Page:

1

2