The Need For A Women’s British Title

The Need For A Women’s British Title

By Jack Thomas

The Lonsdale Belt, otherwise known as the British title, is one of the oldest and most prestigious belts in British boxing.

Sometimes a stepping stone from regional titles to world titles, this belt has been held by some of the greatest names in our sport. Having been strapped around the waists of fighters such as Henry Cooper, Callum Smith, Lennox Lewis and Joe Calzaghe, just to name a few, this belt is sought after for those who are looking to dominate the domestic scene.

In all its glory one may notice one issue, none of these successors are female.

Female boxing is going through what one may call a resurgence after a long period of ignorance. World champions such as Cecilia Braekhus and Amanda Serrano have been leading the female division for some time and although completely able and operate at world level, they sometimes have not been given equal or fair attention when compared to their male counterparts.

On the British side of the Atlantic, we have seen several females become familiar names on big fight cards. With growing stars such as Nicola Adams, Chantelle Cameron and Savannah Marshall gaining more popularity and TV slots, perhaps now is the time that we should see a female British title introduced.

Not only would it give female fighters the respect that they deserve, but perhaps it will help domestic fighters have something to fight for and to eliminate the seemingly large leap in class from domestic to world level in the female game.

Boxing in Britain has not always been easy for women. One of the first true stars, Jane Couch, had a torrid time even after picking up multiple world titles.

It was not much longer than twenty years ago that women were banned from boxing by the BBBofC for being “too unstable”.

Eventually, Couch had to win a court case against the sport’s governing body to make British sporting history in August 1998. The case against women was built upon the accusation that “many women suffer from premenstrual tension which makes them more emotional and more labile and accident-prone. They are too fragile to box and they bruise easily.”

Victory over this case still did little as many fighters found that they were shunned by promoters, fought without getting paid or being mocked in the tabloids.

In any case, this past weekend we were treated to a card in the Manchester Arena headlined by a women’s world title fight involving Katie Taylor.

Not only does this display the progression of the world itself but recognises that world-level talent should be given the correct opportunities to display their skills.

Taylor has become a household name in Ireland thanks to her success in the amateur system. With the likes of rising star Terri Harper on the undercard, we can hope and expect that our talent on these shores can pave the way for other female fighters so that they can get equal television slots and opportunities unlike previous fighters before them.