Both women were on hand at London’s ExCeL  - along with Olympic gold medallist James DeGale - as London 2012 officials began a public consultation about plans to convert the arena from an exhibition centre into a venue for the Games.

ExCel, in London's Docklands, is set to host seven Olympic events, including boxing, along with six Paralympic events.

Sackey and Beharry believe that with London 2012 showcasing women’s boxing in the Olympics for the first time for 108 years, the sport could become as popular as its male counterpart.

Beharry told insidethegames: "Now that women’s boxing is an Olympic sport, people from all over are going to see the best women in the world competing at 2012.

"At the Olympics, it won’t be a mediocre standard; you’re going to see the very best performing and showing the artwork and beauty of women’s boxing which could put it up there with men’s boxing."

High profile figures in British boxing, including promoter Frank Warren and popular WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan, have publicly criticised women’s boxing but Beharry claimed that this is a naive point of view.

Beharry (pictured) said: "A lot of people that speak about women’s boxing haven’t actually seen it.

"People always claim boxing is a brutal sport and perhaps it can be in men’s boxing but the percentage of women that get knocked out in boxing is ridiculously low because we don’t have the power to produce knockouts.

"Therefore, you see more of a technical element in women’s boxing involving tactics and skill rather than pure knockouts."

Beharry’s comments were echoed by Sackey, who said: "[London] 2012 is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate female boxing at its best.

"I’m not going to criticise people for having a negative opinion on women’s boxing because everyone is entitled to an opinion but at least have an informed opinion. 

"Give us a chance and watch a couple of fights in 2012 before making a decision on our sport."

DeGale admitted that, although he is not keen on women’s boxing, he sees no reason for it not to be an Olympic sport.

He said: "Personally I don’t like women’s boxing because I don’t like seeing girls get hit.

"But they have the same rights as us and there are some very good girls out there like Lesley and Hannah and I hope they can bring us some medals in 2012."

DeGale also admitted that part of him wishes he had stayed on as an amateur boxer so that he could compete at 2012.

Asked if he regretted is decision to turn professional, DeGale said: "A little bit, I’m not going to lie.

"But I’m in a happy place and I’ve got five wins and no loses as a professional so I’m cool.

"There is obviously a little bit of regret at not competing at 2012 but not too much."

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