One of the country’s biggest gathering of women boxers will take place in Footscray over Australia Day weekend.
More than 20 women have registered for a boxing clinic at Victoria’s first female-owned and operated boxing gym.
Boxing Central was opened by former champion Mischa Merz – known for sparring with colourful characters and giving Brooklyn businessman Mick Gatto a “shiner”.
Merz said when she was starting out as a boxer, it was hard for women to find sparring partners and opponents to test their skills.
This weekend’s clinic aims to create a network among women boxers. “I don’t think there’s actually been anything quite like it in Melbourne,” Merz said.
“I guess this is just a way of paying a bit more attention to them in their early- development stage and bringing along the next generation of boxers.
“We really need each other – even if it is just to punch each other.”
Champion amateur boxer Bianca ‘Bam Bam’ Elmir, who qualified for the 2012 Olympics and is aiming for the Commonwealth Games, will be at this weekend’s gathering.
“It will be really nice for both Mischa and I to be able to contribute into the lives of the up-and-coming women,’’ Elmir said. “I think it’s a really nice opportunity to be able to mentor some girls in that infancy stage.
“I know that in Mischa’s case and mine as well, we lacked that, particularly with other female role models.
“If we can in any way shape another girl’s future in her boxing career, that makes me really happy and it makes what I do worthwhile.”
