Boxers aim for Games

COMMONWEALTH Games qualifiers will be in the back of mind for the state’s best young female boxers at tomorrow night’s Tasmanian Amateur Boxing Tournament.

Fighters from Tasmania and Victoria will take part.

Jaime Cave from Boxing Tasmania said the tournament was an exciting opportunity for the state’s female fighters to further stamp their name in the sport.

“One of the great things is we’re seeing women’s boxing really starting to take off. The Tassie girls going into this tournament are all highly competitive,” she said.

Among those hoping to carve out big futures in the sport are Georgie Bailey and Krystina “Mousey” Jacobs.

“The tournament is a positive thing for boxing in Tasmania and we’ve got a cracker of a card,” Bailey said.

“Most of my recent fights have been interstate, which has meant it’s been over a year since I’ve fought in Tasmania, so I’m really looking forward to showcasing my skills in front of family.”

Bailey, 26, said the tournament would be the perfect preparation for next month’s Commonwealth Games qualifiers.

“It’ll be good to get some fights in before the qualifiers. I’m as fit as I can be, so If I’m not ready now then I never will be,” she said.

Cave said Bailey and her fellow female boxers could benefit from the greater opportunities given to females in the sport in recent years.

“The international boxing body only allowed women to start boxing as recent as 2012,” she said.

“Women have only been allowed to compete in the past two Olympics, but now they have a clearer pathway forward in the sport.”

The tournament starts at 5.30pm tomorrow at the Italian Club in North Hobart.