GIRLS as young as 15 are fighting in the ring in contests that circumvent state laws that ban women from boxing, kickboxing and wrestling.
The fights take two forms. In the first, women fight in cages in a no-rules blend of boxing, kickboxing and wrestling, called King of the Cage.
In the second, Sydney promoters are dodging the ban by openly headlining female Muay Thai fighters. This traditional Thai martial art has hands, shins, elbows and knees as points of contact, unlike boxing, in which only fists are allowed, and kickboxing, where feet and fists can be used.
In August, boxing authorities tried to shut down a high-profile kickboxing show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, dubbed "Xplosion Martial Arts Challenge" that featured two female Muay Thai fighters. But the show went ahead because police refused to intervene after it emerged boxing authorities had no jurisdiction over martial arts.
Muay Thai bouts have taken place across Sydney. One is coming up in Cronulla. King of the Cage fights have been held in Penrith.
State cabinet has sought urgent advice from the NSW Boxing Authority in a bid to block the loophole and outlaw fights between women.
The Sun-Herald understands the Boxing and Wrestling Act will become the Unarmed Combat Act, and extend the ban to all forms of combative martial arts.
NSW Boxing Authority chairman Terry Hartmann confirmed authorities had long considered Muay Thai an "illegal competition" and would move to remove grey areas in the law.
"There is an extensive amendment to the law which is before cabinet now," he said. "The only difference between Muay Thai and conventional kickboxing is the use of knees and elbows.
"While boxing is being reasonably controlled, Rome is burning and it's only sheer good fortune that there hasn't been some fatality."
NSW is the only state to ban females from boxing, kickboxing and wrestling contests.
But boxing promoters are urging the State Government to bring NSW in line with international standards and stamp out unlicensed bouts, which they say do not impose proper medical safeguards.
"[Women are] going to [fight] anyway so [the Government] might as well make it legal," said the NSW Amateur Boxing League spokesman Denis Magnay.
Muay Thai promoter John Ioannou, from JNI Gym, said authorities had never made good on their threats to close his shows down.
"Females in NSW cannot box, they cannot kickbox, but they can have Muay Thai fights. How idiotic is that?" he said.
"It's old outdated legislation written by people who believe women should stay at home and look after children."
"But boxing promoters are urging the State Government to bring NSW in line with international standards and stamp out unlicensed bouts, which they say do not impose proper medical safeguards."
Now THAT is exactly what the hell the Australian Legislature SHOULD be pursuing.
'Nuff said.
(Good story -- thanks for the info. I just can't believe the Dark Ages have crossed into the 21st century, but I suppose you learn something new everyday.)
