WBA unveil new Chinese franchise

The World Boxing Association Directorate met in Beijing yesterday to rubber stamp the establishment of WBA China as one of its ten independent continental franchises.

Li Yidong, President of Chinese sports company Ti’ao Power, was elected as the new Chairman of WBA China at the Directorate meeting, chaired by WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza.

“Chinese boxing is in a steady expansion phase, which means we need to take more innovative approaches to event organising and marketing. I believe the establishment of WBA China will certainly help develop boxing in China,” said Li Yidong.

More specifically, WBA China will build event centres in key Chinese cities and organise more high-profile boxing events in order to provide Chinese boxers with more opportunities to fight for world titles in their homeland. The organization will also try to create star boxers in China.

The WBA, alongside the IBF, WBC and WBO, is one of four major professional boxing organizations which sanction world championship boxing bouts.

Source: Tencent Sports

Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin