What would feminists think of the attention women's boxing is getting these days?
First-wave feminists are probably turning in their grave with the news that Jaime Ridge and GC "star" Rosanna Arkle will bounce around a boxing ring as light entertainment before the main bout between Shane Cameron and Monte Barrett.
Second-wave feminists, however, may have felt their call for gender equity and broader opportunities for women were heard last year by two other wave enthusiasts, Paige Hareb and Hayley Holt.
The brawl between these two athletic women demonstrated that, with the right training and preparation, women can produce a decent fight that is more than a bit of "fluff" on the side.
Second-wave feminists may rejoice that, finally, women's boxing will be included at the Olympics.
The first nine modern Olympic Games were male only, and women have increased their participation only over a long period of time. Sports such as golf, tennis, archery and yachting for women were permitted in the early 1900s, while stereotypically feminine sports such as gymnastics, diving and figure skating came soon after.
It wasn't until 1928 that women were permitted to take part in some track and field events (such as the 800m). It took another 40-plus years for women to participate in the 1500m, 5000m, 10,000m and marathon races.
Permission to participate in the strength and power events was less forthcoming, and it wasn't until the new millennium that women were included in the hammer throw and pole vault.
It seems allowing women to box at the Olympics has been a difficult concession for the International Olympic Committee to make - but, finally, it has.
It is great timing for New Zealand hopefuls Alexis Pritchard and Siona Fernandes, who qualified at the world amateur championships in China recently. They could be trailblazers for other girls and women keen to become pugilists, and that is something to celebrate.
Not everyone agrees with women punching each other in a ring, but then they don't seem to mind watching them fight if they're covered in jelly, or wearing a bikini, as Arkle suggests she may.
If Jaime and Rosanna want to fight, good luck to them. I'd much rather watch Alexis and Siona fighting for a medal at the London Olympics, so I hope they get the green light from the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
I can't really hold anything against "famous" women for risking everything to be in the limelight if that is what they crave.
Ridge (18) is New Zealand's version of a Kardashian with her famous sport-personality Dad and design-savvy Mum, fleeting romance with Sonny Bill Williams, good looks and intelligence (you need at least some brains to take law and commerce). With a reality show on the cards, it is no wonder she has agreed to this brawl to increase her profile even further.
She also claims this fight may help to inspire other girls. The only girls who will be inspired are those who want to (and can) exploit their bodies and sexuality in pursuit of fame, but that is what third-wave feminists are suggesting is the right of women in modern times.
Women are diverse, complicated and contradictory.
On the one hand, we want to be taken seriously and given the same opportunities as men to prove ourselves and pursue excellence (Olympic boxing).
Meanwhile, the other aspect of our personality tends to want attention, to be considered attractive, and to seek out that elusive goal of being "famous for being famous".
First and second-wave feminists may be reeling in shock at what progress (or little progress) we've made in women's rights and equality, but they are also likely to buy ringside seats at both the Olympics and the Godfather of Fight Nights to cheer on their "sisters" in whatever fight against oppression they choose to fight.
