Hosting World Boxing Championships 'huge coup' for Liverpool
Securing the role of host city for the inaugural World Boxing Championship is a “huge coup” for Liverpool given its potential link to Olympic qualification, it has been claimed. It was revealed last month how the M&S Bank Arena will stage 10 days of elite fights in the first event of its kind hosted by World Boxing.
It is the first event to be set up by the new federation which has been formed to combat concerns over integrity, governance and financial management and aims to receive IOC backing to manage future Olympic boxing competitions. It is thought the event could bring around £5m into the local economy in September 2025. It is the latest in a long list of major boxing events held in Liverpool, with the city hosting the European Championships in 2008.
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City leaders have spoken of the opportunities the shows will present for Liverpool, given the historic success our region’s boxers have had and the potential for it to help secure qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games. Addressing a cabinet meeting as details confirming the event were signed off, Cllr Harry Doyle, cabinet member for health, culture and wellbeing, said: “It’s pivotal in terms of the journey to LA and the next Olympics, because of the issues around the previous federation, this is the first event they’re holding and is a potential qualifier event for the Olympics so it’s a huge coup for our city to be hosting such a prestigious event.”
Cllr Doyle added how the championships would represent a good chance to highlight the importance of boxing to communities in Liverpool. In 2016, Tony “Bomber” Bellew won his first world title when he defeated Ilunga Makabu at Goodison Park.
The world bouts will feature competition in 10 weight classes for both men and women and will be the first time ever that male and female boxers have competed in Olympic-style boxing for the title of world champion at the same event. Precise weight categories will be finalised in the new edition of World Boxing’s competition rules, to be published following its Congress in November.
City documents said it is estimated up to 750 athletes from up to 80 countries will be represented in Liverpool next year. This is the equivalent of 11,000 bed nights. It is expected around 4,000 fans will be in situ on finals days, with access to discounted and free tickets for communities and schools.
In a short video played to the cabinet, Matt Holt, chief executive of GB Boxing, said: “We’re all delighted Liverpool has been chosen to host the inaugural World Boxing Championships. It’s great opportunity for the boxers to compete on home soil in a city that has such a fantastic reputation for sport, boxing and Olympic boxing.
“We know Liverpool’s going to be a brilliant host, it’s such a passionate place and has such a passion for the sport of boxing.”