Boxing Organization Wants Female Fighters To Wear Skirts In The Ring

It seems like fans are having a hard time telling the difference between men and women fighters in the boxing ring and, if the International Boxing Association has its way, women will have to wear skirts when they climb through the ropes.

"I have heard many times, people say, 'We can't tell the difference between the men and women;' especially on TV," said Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu, president of the Amateur International Boxing Association.  "Since they are in the same uniforms and are wearing head gear."

After years of campaigning to legitimize and popularize the sport of women's boxing, some of the sports most well-known fighters are outraged at what they see as sexist and petty.

"Personally, I think it's more for the aesthetics," said British national champion, Natasha Jones.  "The only people who would want to see women in skirts are men."

The organization asked female boxers to wear skirts during last year's World Championships in preparation for the introduction of women's boxing into the 2012 Olympics in London.

Poland and Romania made the change mandatory.

"By wearing skirts, in my opinion, it gives a good impression, a womanly impression," Poland coach Leszek Piotrowski (a man) told BBC Sport.

Not all women think it's the wardrobe which makes them a lady.

"I don't even wear mini-skirts on a night out," said 3-time Boxing World Champion Katie Taylor.  "So I definitely won't be wearing mini-skirts in the ring."

Even men's boxing has seen skirts in the ring before.  Hector "Macho" Camacho was famous for his gladiator-style "shorts" during his heyday.  Maybe the women could wear kilts—the men do.

For now, it doesn't sound like female fighters are willing to compromise the equal rights they have literally fought hard for over the years.

What's next?  Making them wear pink headgear to distinguish the men from the women.  It's a boxing match guys—not a catfight.