Haye, who is also successful boxing promoter, said:  “It’s a shame it has taken so long before females have been given the opportunity to box in the Olympics.

"Many people have said that women’s boxing isn’t as technically good as the men, but I have watched many female fights and they definitely have just as much skill as the men.

"It is a great move for female boxing and for the Olympics in general.”

When women's boxing was introduced by the International Olympic Committee last month Khan, the 2004 Olympic silver medallist, condemned the decision.

But Haye claimed Khan was out of step with what people wanted. 

He said: “There is the dinosaur brigade who say women should be at the kitchen sink, but modern society doesn’t work like that.

"Women’s boxing is here to stay.”


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