A source close to the sport told insidethegames that the prestigious venue – opened in 1871 and situated in Knightsbridge south of Hyde Park – was likely to be more acceptable than Wembley since it would be adjacent to a dedicated Olympic traffic lane. 

 

It is understood that AIBA, the international amateur boxing association, recently wrote to London 2012 to indicate that they were not happy about the idea of staging the Olympic competition at Wembley Arena, although discussions are thought to be still ongoing.

 

The Games organisers want to move boxing out of the ExCel centre in East London to make room for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics as part of a money-saving initiative.

 

The issue is the sole outstanding problem regarding where sports at the 2012 Olympic Games are to be staged.

 

Boxing is expected to enjoy a high profile at the Games both because it looks more and more likely that women athletes will be involved and because Britain will probably field a strong team.

 

Boxing is one of a number of sports to have been staged at the hall, which is probably now best-known for the Proms, an annual summer season of classical music concerts.

 

These Promenade concerts would normally be expected to be in full swing when the Olympics get under way on July 27, 2012.

 

It is not known whether any approach has been made to the hall about becoming a possible Olympic venue.