PLANS to stage East Lancashire's first women's professional boxing bout have been slammed as monstrous by opponents of the sport.

The contest at the William Thompson Recreation Centre in Burnley is the first in the country to be sanctioned by the IFBA boxing board of control.

Organiser of the event Alan Clarkin, of the Black Nights Gym, Holmes Street, Burnley, defended the event by saying women's Thai boxing events had been held locally for years without complaint and that was a far tougher sport.

Ninety per cent of the women who took part in professional boxing had come through Thai boxing and full contact kick boxing, he said.

Mr Clarkin said the British Boxing Board of Control had now accepted ladies into boxing and he was not expecting any problems.

But Coun Harry Brooks said the idea of women's boxing was monstrous and that he would raise his concerns at an appropriate council meeting.

Fighting on Saturday November 28 will be Michelle Sutcliffe who lives in Leeds who trains once a week at the Black Knights Gym in Burnley and Tracy McShane of Scotland.

The winner of the 49 kg bout will be given a five-fight contract leading to a world title shot in America.

Mr Clarkin said: "We have lots of young members both boys and girls at the gym. They are better off there taking part in disciplined sports than being on the streets.''

Top of the bill at the event will be a European full contact challenge between Mick Holmes of Burnley, the reigning Commonwealth champion and Owen McGill of Blackburn, the British champion. "It will be a real battle'' said Mr Clarkin. Also on the programme will be three novice events, English title matches in Thai boxing and full contact kick boxing and a British title bout in full contact.

Coun Brooks said: "The programme of events at the Thompson Centre didn't go to the committee.

"Only a few years ago we had a discussion on whether to allow boxing at all.

"That went through with a substantial majority but there was a lot of strong feeling about it.

"I don't think there is the same support for women's boxing.

"I think it is monstrous and I will be raising the matter at an appropriate meeting.''

He added: "Maybe we ought to have a look at the whole thing.

"I have heard the equal opportunities argument and I know there is women's professional boxing in this country now. I still think the council has the right to say no to this. We have a free choice and no-one can force us into allowing women's boxing at the Thompson centre.''

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