Doha: With just seven days to go to the start of AIBA World Boxing Championships, Qatar is all set to host the biggest event in the sport featuring top pugilists from all over the globe.
Between October 5 to 15, a new glorious chapter will be written in Qatar’s already impressive history of hosting major international sports events, as the AIBA Worlds will be held in the Middle East for the first time in history.
The competitions of the 18th prestigious event will get under way at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiya Indoor Arena.
Fans are eagerly awaiting for the start of the championship that will see around 260 boxers representing 73 nations from different weight categories in action.
On Friday, the official list of confirmed boxers who will be competing in AIBA World Boxing Championships was announced.
Top boxers in ten weight categories will be contesting.
“This edition of the AIBA World Boxing Championships will be a key event in the run up to Rio 2016 Olympic Games as the top boxers from all five continents converge in Doha, Qatar, to compete in an astounding venue. For the 1st time, all boxers had to qualify to the World Championships ensuring that boxing fans will enjoy the most remarkable show the Elite of the boxing world has to offer“, said AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu. Top boxing names including Philippines great Manny Pacquiao are also expected to visit the Qatari capital during the event.
A total of 94 boxers from Europe, 66 from Asia, 51 from Americas, 32 from Africa and 17 boxers from Oceania region will take part in the event. Beyond the iconic gold medal, boxers will also be competing for 23 Olympic quota places to Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The current medal table leader Cuba are coming to the World Championships with a ten-men-strong squad, while Russia will be looking for more medals with seven boxers representing their team. Amongst the headliners in Doha boxing fans will be able to witness reigning champions Lazaro Alvarez (60kg), Daniyar Yeleussinov (69kg), Zhanibek Alimkhanuly (75kg), Julio César la Cruz (81kg) and Mahammadrasul Majidov (91+kg).
“Doha is ready to welcome all of the boxers and officials to AIBA World Boxing Championships Doha 2015 and we are confident that the event will be held at the highest level. Local fans are looking forward to the event, which demonstrates the vitality of boxing in our region”, said Qatar Boxing Federation (QBF) President Yousuf Ali Al Kazim.
The first World Boxing Championships were held in Havana, Cuba in 1974 and a total number of 274 boxers from 45 countries entered the competition where 11 World Champions were crowned while Cuba and Soviet Union won eight medals respectively. AIBA World Boxing Championships will be broadcast live in key markets on free-to-air channels, including BBC, Fox Africa and RAI Italy.
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