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World Series of Boxing Signs up 14th Franchise in Ukraine after Decision to Switch to Nation-based Series |
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Boxing - 27 Jun 2012 -
The World Series of Boxing, the annual professional series backed by AIBA, the sport’s world governing body, has signed a deal for a new franchise with the Ukrainian Boxing Federation, bringing to 14 the number of franchises that will compete in the 2012-13 season.
The deal follows a similar recent agreement for an Argentinian franchise agreed with that country’s boxing federation, and an earlier decision that from next season franchises will represents nations, instead of cities, as was previously the case.
So, in addition to Ukraine and Argentina, there will be franchises representing Azerbaijan, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, and USA next season.
Ching-Kuo Wu, the president of AIBA, said: “Ukraine is one of the world's true boxing powerhouses and we are absolutely thrilled to welcome their franchise to the World Series of Boxing. I am convinced that this is only the very first step of the involvement of the Ukrainian Boxing Federation in AIBA's projects, especially with the AIBA Professional Boxing (APB) that begins in the fall of 2013. We look forward to working closely together.”
WSB told Sportcal that the decision to switch from city-based to nation-based franchises was taken to enable the franchises to extend their appeal across the relevant countries: for instance last season two of the city franchises staged matches outside their home cities - Dynamo Moscow in Perm and Milano in Sicily - with both attracting over 3,000 spectators.
In May, Wu announced that professional boxers will be permitted to compete in the Olympic Games for the first time, beginning at the Rio de Janeiro games in 2016.
The idea had been mooted since AIBA announced its intention to launch a professional programme, AIBA Professional Boxing, in August last year. The APB will feature both individual and national team contests at domestic, continental and world level.
The APB is an extension of WSB, which launched in November 2010. When it launched WSB, AIBA said it was trying to change an established pattern in which up-and-coming amateur boxers make their names through competing in the Olympics and then frequently sign professional forms with a commercial promoter.
At present WSB boxers are still deemed amateur - although they are paid by their franchises - and can still compete in the Olympics.
Under the guidelines of the APB, professional boxers will be able to compete in WSB from 2013 onwards.
Once established, APB will consist of two core programmes, an individual ranking competition and a worldwide competition. In the former, all APB boxers will compete at different levels representing their country but with some emphasis on individual achievements. This will start as soon as APB comes into effect.
The reforms will mean that headguards will not be used in elite men's competitions in AIBA amateur, WSB and professional programmes, although headguards will be maintained in women's, youth and junior categories.
Sportcal
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