DOHA: With only a few days to go, the countdown to world boxing’s signature event gathers pace as tickets go on sale and the bestboxers are qualified for what is a historic occasion for sport in the Middle East.
260 boxers representing 70 nations have been confirmed for the World Boxing Championships taking place at the state-of-the-art Ali Bin Hamed Al Attiyah Arena in Doha between October 5 to 15.
The event is hosted in the Middle East for the first time in history, and will see the global boxing elite from AIBA’s (International Boxing Association) five confederations fight to be crowned world champions and for one of 23 qualifying spots to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
In the process leading up to Doha 2015,the athletes have been through rigorous continental qualification rounds at official confederation events – another first in AIBA’s 69-year-long history – thus making this year’s World Championships the most competitive ever with only the best making the cut.
Announcing the full athlete line-up yesterday, Yousuf Ali Al Kazim, Executive Director for the Doha World Boxing Championships and President of the Qatar Boxing Federation, had the following to say:
“This will be a historic and special occasion for the boxing sport not only in Qatar, but throughout the entire Middle East. The fact that only the best boxers are qualified for the World Championships here in Doha is testament to the huge importance of this event, and through these exhilarating 10 days of sporting action, we hope to inspire a new generation of boxing heroes across the world.
“With tickets on sale from today, we call on local sports fans to come to the arena for what is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness world champions across the different weight categories try to protect their titlesin the ring. We feel confident that Doha 2015 will be special, and we promise to deliver a fun and unforgettable experience for all the family.”
Tickets are priced between QR10-50 and can be purchased onlinewww.boxing2015.qa and in Virgin Megastores in Villaggio Mall and Landmark Mall, as well as at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena throughout the Doha 2015 AIBA World Championships between October 5 to 15.The Peninsula
