For over a century, professional boxing was a man's world and there were no opportunities for women fighters to be taken seriously in the sport. However, thanks to a special group of individuals, that attitude is now viewed as misogynistic and women's boxing is thriving.
The likes of Christy Martin, Katie Taylor, Laila Ali, Ann Wolfe, Cecilia Braekhus, Claressa Shields, Amanda Serrano, Natasha Jonas, and Jane Couch, to name a few, have left their mark on the sport.
Women boxers went from opening fight cards to main eventing huge nights in front of massive crowds. There now appears to be no stopping the wave of dominant stars and the sky's the limit.
WATCH: Amanda Serrano vs. Nina Meinke, live on DAZN
The rules for women are pretty much the same as for men, but there are some exceptions. The Sporting News looks at the key differences and similarities:
Men's vs. Women's boxing rules, explained: Rounds, time, weight classes and protective equipment
The difference in rounds
Men and women both compete from one round to 10. However, that is where the similarities end.
Top-level women's bouts, including championship fights, are contested over 10 rounds. Meanwhile, men's eliminators and championship fights go 12 rounds. The WBC is the only sanctioning body that heavily enforces this rule in women's boxing.
"Tennis - women play three sets, basketball the basket is shorter and the ball smaller, and those are not contact sports. We stand by safety and well-being of the fighters," WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said in an interview with Chris Mannix. There has been data to suggest the opposite of the WBC's findings.
MORE: The case for two vs. three-minute rounds in women's boxing
When Amanda Serrano fought against Danila Ramos in the first 12 three-minute round boxing fight in over 15 years, the WBC refused to sanction the contest.
As a result, Serrano relinquished the WBC featherweight title and focused on defending her status as a unified champion. The promotion of the Ramos fight culminated in a joint statement from several acclaimed female fighters petitioning for change in the sport.
"We have earned the CHOICE of 3-minute rounds, with 12 rounds for championship fights to demonstrate our skill and greatness," said the statement. "We have earned the CHOICE to build a more equal future for fighters everywhere. We hope boxing stakeholders support us just as we have supported them throughout our careers. This is our time, our right and our CHOICE. We are boxing."
"Two minutes goes by really quickly," Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali, said via The New York Times. "There have been times where you’re just about to get it done and then the bell rings and you’re like, dang, if I had had another minute."
Some fighters are indifferent. Two-weight undisputed champion Katie Taylor didn't agree right away with Serrano's request for a three-minute round fight when they became the first women boxers to main event Madison Square Garden in 2022.
"I don't know if women’s boxing has the strength and depth to have three-minute rounds," Taylor said via The Seattle Times. "For me, I really don't care whether it's a two or three-minute round. I spar three-minute rounds all the time. There’s pros and cons to both really."
The difference in weight classes
| Men's Boxing Weight Classes | Women's Boxing Weight Classes |
| Heavyweight (+200 pounds) | Light Heavyweight (175 pounds) |
| Bridgerweight (224 pounds) | Super Middleweight (168 pounds) |
| Cruiserweight (200 pounds) | Middleweight (160 pounds) |
| Light Heavyweight (175 pounds) | Super Welterweight (154 pounds) |
| Super Middleweight (168 pounds) | Welterweight (147 pounds) |
| Middleweight (160 pounds) | Super Lightweight (140 pounds) |
| Super Welterweight (154 pounds) | Lightweight (135 pounds) |
| Welterweight (147 pounds) | Super Featherweight (130 pounds) |
| Super Lightweight (140 pounds) | Featherweight (126 pounds) |
| Lightweight (135 pounds) | Super Bantamweight (122 pounds) |
| Super Featherweight (130 pounds) | Bantamweight (118 pounds) |
| Featherweight (126 pounds) | Super Flyweight (115 pounds) |
| Super Bantamweight (122 pounds) | Flyweight (112 pounds) |
| Bantamweight (118 pounds) | Light Flyweight (108 pounds) |
| Super Flyweight (115 pounds) | Minimumweight (105 pounds) |
| Flyweight (112 pounds) | Light Minimumweight (102) |
| Light Flyweight (108 pounds) | |
| Minimumweight (105 pounds) |
Women's boxing has Heavyweight and Cruiserweight divisions, but these fights are a rarity.
The difference in protective equipment
Both male and female fighters wear mouthpieces and headguards when training. Amateur women boxers must wear headgear, while male boxers can stop wearing them when they turn 19 years old.
Male fighters wear groin protectors, while women boxers wear pelvic guards.
MORE: Who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world?
Regarding gloves, the size or weight of the hand can determine what glove is used for both genders. While 8oz and 10oz gloves are used by both, RINGSIDE stated that the internal part of the gloves, the hand cage, can differ in size based on gender.
Per the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combat Sports, women boxers up to 154lbs can use 8 oz. gloves, and those over will use 10 oz. gloves.
The difference in training
When it comes to training, there is no major difference. The Sporting News has been at sparring sessions with Claressa Shields where she trains with male fighters. The preparation is still the same.
Muscle and Fitness interviewed Amanda Serrano about her routine, which didn't showcase anything to indicate she was being treated differently compared to any male fighter.
