Amateur Boxing

New amateur boxing league awards franchise to Miami

BY SANTOS A. PEREZ
SPEREZ@MIAMIHERALD.COM
Miami is one of the four North American-based franchises of an amateur boxing league which will start in

November.

The goal of the 12-member World Series of Boxing will be to extend the careers of amateur boxers who

often don't have pressing professional aspirations, according to Ching-Kuo Wu, president of the Amateur

International Boxing Association, which will oversee the World Series of Boxing.

``We have been thinking of this concept for a few years,'' Wu said Friday. ``By creating the WSB, we are

expanding amateur boxers career's through team competition.''

In addition to Miami, the World Series of Boxing will have teams in Los Angeles, Memphis and Mexico City.

A news conference is scheduled for Monday at AmericanAirlines Arena, where the Miami franchise will hold

its home matches.

``The reason we selected Miami was the appeal of the multiracial societies which follow boxing,'' Wu

said. ``We also looked at Miami's boxing tradition as another advantage the city had in receiving a

franchise.''

Europe and Asia also will have four franchises. The four teams in each region will compete in a 12-match

regular season.

GRADUAL PROGRESS

``There was immediate response from other cities that wanted to join soon after we announced the

formation of the league,'' Wu said.

``But we don't want to increase too much too soon. We prefer a more gradual pace.''

During the matches, teams will compete in five weight categories -- bantamweight, lightweight,

middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight. Each team can carry up to 15 boxers on its roster, Wu

said.

The bouts are scheduled for five three-minute rounds. The winner of each weight class earns a point. The

total points earned in each event will determine the team winner.

The three regional leaders and the best second-place finisher at the end of the regular season will

advance to the playoffs.

The league championship will be held next spring in Macau, China.

AIBA will manage all the franchises, Wu said. Boxers competing in the series were required to sign

contracts with their respective national amateur boxing federations, he added.

The top boxers in each category also will qualify for a separate individual championship next year.

GETTING PAID

Despite the amateur designation, Wu said boxers will be paid a salary. Boxing is one of the few remaining

high-profile Olympic competitions that doesn't allow professionals.

``There will be a salary scale based on performance and ranking,'' Wu said.

The Miami roster will include 2008 Olympic silver medalist Kenny Egan of Ireland. Although the league's

schedule has not been finalized, Miami is expected to host Los Angeles in its first match in late






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