To the boxing world now and a champ who does not plan to hang up her gloves anytime soon, as of this week, Alicia Ashley is officially boxing's oldest female champion.

Indeed, women's boxing has changed dramatically in the 12 years since its Olympic debut in London — and not just on the amateur level.

Women stepped into the Chicago Golden Gloves ring in 1994, the first boxing tournament in the country to host a division for women, and entered the National Golden Gloves Tournament in 2000.

Gloves, wraps, punching bags, and leggings: here's all the best boxing gear for women to help you sweat it out in the ring.

Boxing for women is really taking off. We're picking up our gloves to get fighting fit but that's not to say some of us aren't intimidated by the idea of boxing.