AIBA World Boxing Championships
Unlike the stereotypical guy, I don’t actively follow any sports, and there are very few that I’ll actually sit and watch. One of those few is boxing. And for the next couple of weeks, hundreds of the world’s best amateur boxers will be right here in Chicago for the largest-ever world boxing championships.
The AIBA (Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur) World Boxing Championships, taking place today through November 3, qualifies top finishers for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Over 600 fighters from 120 countries will be competing in the two rings at UIC Pavilion on the University of Illinois-Chicago campus. The incredibly competitive field includes champions from previous world championships, Pan American Games, U.S. Championships, and Golden Gloves tournaments.
With athletes from Albania to Zambia in 11 weight classes, there will be as many as 80 bouts a day, each consisting of four 2-minute rounds, with a 1-minute interval between rounds. Five judges will score the bouts, but a referee can stop the fight and declare a winner if one of the fighters is unable to continue.
The whole event is very exciting for both the participants and the planners. The 2008 U.S. Olympic team will be acquiring a lot of much-needed competition experience, as only one member has any Olympic experience (Rau’shee Warren). They’ll be up against some new countries participating, with young fighters showing off skills equal or greater than long-time veteran contenders. Many of the athletes are from small, rural towns, so visiting and touring a large metropolis like Chicago is a great thrill for them.
With all these visitors from all over the world, Chicago is hoping to make a very good impression. Dr. C.K. Wu, the president of the International Amateur Boxing Association, has commended the city for doing such a great job so far. Hosting cities are usually given two years to prepare, but after boxing officials said the federation in Moscow would not be able to host the championships, the U.S. had only five months to prepare. “The effort and determination they have put into this really shows Chicago has… strong capabilities,” Wu told CBS 2.
Mayor Richard M. Daley should be glad to hear that because Dr. Wu is one of the 120 voters who will decide who gets to host the 2016 Olympic Games. (Chicago was selected on April 14, 2007, to internationally represent the United States for the bid for the 2016 Games.) Wu said he would be glad to share his experiences and insights with other voters. “I think I will certainly tell many people Chicago should be an ideal city for the future.” His support will put Chicago all that much closer to becoming an Olympic host.
For schedules, results, and photos, visit http://www.worldboxingchicago.org/
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