Women's boxing eyes London 2012

Ali (right) boosted the popularity of women's boxing

Boxing chiefs will press for the introduction of women fighters at the London 2012 Olympics.

"We will make a proposal and submit it," said Amateur International Boxing Association president Wu Ching-Kuo.

"Boxing is the only sport in the Olympic programme without women and we believe we are ready."

A spokeman for the International Olympic Comittee told BBC Sport that a decision on allowing new events within a sport would be made by 2009.

Any application for a new discipline within an established Olympic sport must be made three years before a Games, she said.

606: DEBATE What do you think of the proposal? Saj C

It is envisaged a women's boxing competition would include 11 weight classes, as in men's competition, and the bouts would be held over four two-minute rounds.

Existing world and continental championships would be used as qualifiers.

And a venue is already established - the men's boxing event in 2012 will be held at London's ExCel Arena.

Women's boxing has grown in popularity over the last decade, with daughters of former heavyweight champions Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier, Laila Ali and Jackie Frazier-Lyde, raising the sport's profile.

Aiba is hoping to hear a decision from the IOC by December 2008.