Canada's Mandy Bujold, Bizier fail to qualify for Olympics in boxing

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.

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.

Mary Spencer of Windsor, Ont., considered a medal favourite for Canada in the 75-kilogram category at the Games, still needs to qualify.

The 27-year-old takes on Sweden's Anna Rosalie Laurell in her first bout on Monday.

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.

In other action Saturday, 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, Quanita 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.

In the middleweight, American Claressa Maria Shields defeated Pooja Rani of India, 27-10.