Featured image credit: IBA
The International Boxing Association (IBA) has launched a new boxing league in China called the Kunlun Fight World Cup with bouts set to take place at the Beijing National Indoor Stadium.
Competitions in the first two weight divisions – under-63.5kg and under-71kg – are set to begin on November 16 this year in the capital city.
The prize fund for the event is $2m (£1.5m/€1.8m) with some of the world’s top boxers set to compete.
The Beijing National Indoor Stadium has a capacity of 20,000 and was constructed for the 2008 Olympic Games where it hosted artistic gymnastics, trampolining, and handball.
It was then also used for ice hockey events at the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Three-time world champion and double Olympic silver medallist Sofiane Oumiha from France, Cuban Olympic champion Erislandy Alvarez, and double Olympic gold medallist Roniel Iglesias, also from Cuba, are all confirmed to participate.
“IBA continues to go from strength to strength, dominating the sport of boxing with genius and revolutionary ideas. Evolution and opportunity will remain at the heart of our core business,” said IBA secretary general Chris Roberts.
The IBA partnered with Chinese boxing promotion company Kunlun Star to create the new event.
“We are thrilled to partner with Kunlun Star to bring this groundbreaking boxing league to China,” said IBA president Umar Kremlev.
“This event represents a new era for boxing, where the world’s best athletes will showcase their talents in this format on a global stage.
“With such an exceptional lineup of competitors and a significant prize fund, we are confident that this league will set new standards for the sport and inspire the next generation of boxers worldwide.”
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