Canada off to slow start at women's boxing worlds

Mandy Bujold and Sandra Bizier won't be fighting for Canada at the London Games after the pair lost their first bouts at the world women's boxing championships Saturday.

Bujold, of Kitchener, Ont., dropped an 11-9 decision to South Korea's Hye Song Kim in the 51-kilogram division in the bout at Qinhunagdao, China.

Meanwhile, Quebec City's Bizier was defeated 15-10 by Mexico's Erika Cruz Hernandez in 60-kilogram weight class.

Women's boxing is making it's debut at the Summer Olympics, with the worlds in China is serving as a qualification event.

The championships are being held in 10 divisions, but the focus is on three: 51-kilogram flyweight, 60-kilogram lightweight and 75-kilogram middleweight.

They are the only three classes that will be part of the sport's Olympic debut. Eight places are up for grabs in each of the three categories.

Canada has sent eight women to the tournament.

Montreal natives Vicky Pelletier (54-kg), Sara Kali (64-kg) Myriam Da Silva (69-kg) fight on Sunday.

Three-time world champion Mary Spencer of Windsor, Ont., marks here first bout in the 75-kg category on Monday, with Quebec City's Melissa Guillemette debuting in the 57-kg class.

Kim Clavel of Montreal (48-kg) received a first round bye and has her first bout on Tuesday.

In other action Saturday, teen phenom Claressa Maria Shields of the U.S. defeated Pooja Rani of India, 27-10 in middleweight action.

The 17-year-old Shields is unbeaten in 26 bouts, including a 27-14 decision  over Canada's Spencer earlier this year.

Two-time world champion Sofya Ochigava of Russia and Olympic test event winner Natasha Jonas of England won their first bouts in the 60-kilogram weight class.

Ochigava scored a 19-7 win over Kiria Tapia of Puerto Rico, while Jonas beat Rebecca Price of Wales 18-8.

In the lightweight division, Quanitta Lee Underwood of the United States defeated Dayana Sanchez of Argentina, 24-13. In the welterweight, Raquel Miller of the U.S. defeated Daena Stephenson of New Zealand, 20-12.