Tough task facing Rio boxing hopefuls

Australia's female boxers face daunting paths in their bid to secure Olympic berths after drawing seeds in the early rounds at the world championships in Kazakhstan.

Australia's Kristy Harris and Caitlin Parker both need to finish in top four in their weight divisions to qualify for the Rio Games, where they would join the already-qualified Shelley Watts on the Olympic team.

Watts, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist, booked her Rio berth by making the final of the 60kg division at the Asian and Oceania qualifiers in China earlier this year.

There are only three weight divisions for female boxers at the Olympics, with Melbourne's Harris hoping to qualify in the 51kg division, and Perth's Parker aiming for glory in the 75kg division.

Harris has the tougher of the two draws, with a first round bout against Sri Lanka's Anusha Koddithuwakku on Thursday night (AEST).

Should Harris win, she would then go up against Russian second-seed Elena Saveleva.

Parker has a first round bye and will take on local hope, eighth-seed Violleta Knyazeva, in a second round bout on Friday night.

Australia has six other boxers competing in non-Olympic weight divisions at the world championships, including Commonwealth Games team member Kaye Scott in the 81kg category.