Fuel PR Analyses a Growing Interest in Boxing Among Women
Bloodthirsty is certainly one way to describe boxing. Dangerous is another; but why is it becoming more and more popular?
Many medical experts have tried and failed to see the hard-hitting sport banned due to the long-term damage it can cause. But in recent years, more and more people – especially women – are stepping foot in the ring. But why exactly is this?
Maybe some women are looking for that adrenaline rush? Or they may be looking to improve their fitness? Some may just want to knock seven bells out of someone. Whatever the reason, the sport is growing in popularity as ‘Ladies that brunch,’ becomes ‘Ladies that punch.’
Boxing is seen as a fun past-time, where you can take part in fitness classes without having to take a right hook to the chin. It helps with confidence, shows women shouldn’t be held back just because they’re women, and will reap the physical benefits of becoming stronger, more flexible, more balanced and toned.
Seems the perfect workout, right?
Celebrities such as Pippa Middleton have previously expressed her passion for boxing, describing it as a ‘pure but pleasing agony.’ The rise of women in boxing began back in 2009 after a Sport England survey reported that 40 per cent of boxing clubs ran classes for women and of the 149,000 boxing enthusiasts, about 19,600 were women. Then London 2012 and Nicola Adams happened. The ‘Adams effect’ blossomed after she won Olympic gold in London and inspired Britain’s women to take the plunge and glove up.
Her dominance inside the ring soon saw her become a British superstar as she was catapulted into the limelight. Adams, 30, said: “I’m always getting tweets from girls saying they’ve taken up boxing because they’ve seen me win.”
Former Sports Minister and President of England Boxing Richard Caborn previously spoke of the ‘Adams effect’ following her gold medal triumph four years ago.
“Participation in boxing, by both males and females, has been on the rise for some time, but I believe over the next 12 months we will witness the ‘Adams effect’ among young women, who will be inspired to try the sport after watching Olympic boxing on TV and seeing Nicola win a gold medal in such fantastic style.”
And how right he was…
Sport England figures showed that before London 2012, where women’s boxing was included for the first time, there were 19,600 females boxing once a week, compared with 35,100 now – an increase of 79 per cent.
As the reigning flyweight Olympic champion, the 33-year-old prepares to defend her crown at the Rio games and more success could yet see the popularity of boxing boom once more.
For more information, please contact Adam Smith (Adam@fuelrefuel.com) or Leandra Cardozo (Leandra@fuelrefuel.com)