Women's boxing features at London 2012 in the three weight categories of flyweight, lightweight and middleweight and the first ever women's bout saw a flyweight contest with Russia's Elena Savelyeva against Hye Song Kim of North Korea in front of a capacity 10,000 crowd at the ExCeL.

It was Savelyeva who wrote her name into the history books as she defeated her opponent 12-9 in a high class fight that set women's boxing at the Olympics off to a perfect start.

"I feel proud to make history in boxing and it was amazing," said the 28-year-old Russian.

"But boxing is normal for women in Russia.

"There is no discrimination.

"I went to practise for self-defence but the coach saw a talent in me and he wanted to train me so to be here now is unbelievable."

Russia's Elena Savelyeva defends against North Korea's Hye Song Kim to take the win

In total, there were 12 women's bouts in the first ever women's boxing session at the Olympic Games, with the undoubted highlight being the fifth bout of the afternoon where Britain's lightweight Natasha Jonas took on the United States' Queen Underwood.

The entrance of Jonas bought the capacity crowd to their feet but the 28-year-old from Liverpool made a nervy start as she lost the opening round 4-3.

However, the first woman to box for Team GB responded in some style to outclass her opponent for the next three rounds to ultimately claim a comfortable 21-13 win and send the home crowd wild.

"It felt so good to get in the ring and fight after being in the Village for 10 days and I was really pleased with my performance.

"I have a lot of respect for Queen, I beat her last year and knew how hard she would be.

"I knew she wouldn't take a backwards step.

"She is a world class fighter but I felt I more than matched her in the last three rounds."

Britain's Natasha Jonas celebrates her first victory at London 2012 against American Queen Underwood

Jonas has a tough task to progress much further however as she faces Ireland's formidable four-time world champion Katie Taylor in the next round tomorrow.

Taylor is arguably the greatest women's amateur boxer ever but the Briton said she will not be intimidated by the 26-year-old from Bray.

"I know I need to improve when I fight Katie tomorrow," Jonas said.

"She has a thoroughly deserved reputation she has built by winning so many championships but I believe I can beat her otherwise I wouldn't be here."

Watching in the front row was the International Boxing Association (AIBA) President CK Wu.

Wu, who is also an IOC Executive Board member, spearheaded the movement to get women's boxing included in the Olympics and admitted he was delighted to watch the first ever bouts at the Games.

"It was always my great ambition to bring women's boxing to the Olympic Games and now that is a reality," Wu told insidethegames.

"It is a dream come true for me and for our many women boxers who are here.

"It is a very proud moment for me.

"All the effort I have put in to make this happen feels worth it and I will continue to put all my efforts into helping improve the sport and keeping it clean and transparent."

To read David Owen's blog on the first day of women's boxing click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2012: AIBA President hopeful female boxers will impress at London 2012
July 2012: C K Wu - Get ready for a watershed moment in boxing at London 2012
June 2012: American female boxer Queen Underwood granted London 2012 spot after long wait
June 2012: New Zealand name first female boxers to compete at an Olympic Games
June 2012: First ever female Olympic boxers named by Team GB for London 2012