LONDON (AP) — Queen Underwood is grateful to every woman whose collective fight allowed her to become the first American woman to climb into an Olympic boxing ring.
When she takes that historic step between the ropes Sunday, she’ll be thinking more about the fight that’s right in front of her.
That’s because British lightweight Natasha Jonas will be trying to knock her block off.
Women’s boxing is an Olympic sport for the first time in London, taking over the ring for a five-day tournament ending in its first three gold medals Sunday.
A sport that was banned in Britain until 1996 will be contested by 36 fighters from six continents. They’re eager to showcase the skill and diversity of a sport that only recently has gained acceptance in most parts of the world.
