WORLD BOXING COUNCIL NEWS

April 22, 2010 – Mexico City.

From the Office of WBC President Jose Sulaiman:

UK TO HOST INTERNATIONAL BOXING FESTIVAL

Cardiff, 29-31 July 2010

Greatest Gathering of Champions in History

Wales has been selected to host this year’s WBC (World Boxing Council) Night of Champions, a Gala Awards event held every 4 years at which the global boxing community unites to celebrate and acknowledge lifetime achievements, unsung heroes, and boxing’s contribution to developing youth and the wider community.

This year, over 100 current and ex-champions are expected to visit Cardiff for the 3-day international boxing festival, making it the greatest gathering of champions in history.  Already confirmed are such names as David Haye, Joe Frazier, Eric Morales, Roberto Duran, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Leon Spinks, Ernie Shavers, and Tim Witherspoon.

The core of the 3-day Festival comprises:

• World Premiere of Welsh-made film ‘Risen’ about the life of World and Welsh boxing legend, Howard Winstone – the inspiring story of the Merthyr man who overcame the odds to win a World Boxing Championship
• An official pre-Olympic tournament between Team GB versus the Rest of the World
• The WBC's ‘Night of Champions’ Gala Awards Dinner

All these events will be held at the Cardiff International Arena, and tickets are now on sale.

In addition to the core festival, there will be:

·         an open-top bus ride by Champions around Cardiff

·         opportunities for fans to meet many of their boxing heroes on the streets of Cardiff

·         visits by Champions to youth and community projects

Announcing the choice of Cardiff as Host City, WBC President Jose Sulaiman said:

“The world of boxing is delighted to be returning to one of the great homes of our sport, to Wales, a country from which so many great champions and traditions have been nurtured.  Celebrating the WBC’s ‘Night of Champions’ in Cardiff will be something we will all remember for years to come.“

Welcoming the WBC’s decision, Neil McEvoy, Cardiff City Council Deputy Leader, said:

“This will be a wonderful event, where Wales welcomes the world, as the sport of boxing returns to its heartland.  Wales has a rich and proud tradition in the sport, and we continue to punch well above our weight in terms of current and recent world champions.

“But this is not about looking back, it is about looking ahead. This Festival will help Cardiff showcase its contemporary face to millions of people around the world.  Hosting the event is the culmination of much effort by the local boxing community, Cardiff City Council and the Welsh Assembly Government. 

“It reflects growing confidence in Cardiff, to hold two major international sporting extravaganzas within a matter of weeks.  I urge everyone to support the Night of Champions Festival, enjoy yourselves, and show the world how Wales celebrates sporting achievement.”

Event organiser, David Walker said:

“This is every Boxing fan’s dream.  The greatest champions, the wider boxing community, and the fans all in one place at the same time.  Cardiff will have a carnival atmosphere.  Everyone’s invited.”

FIRST-EVER WORLD PREMIERE IN WALES FOR A WELSH FILM

‘RISEN’

The Story of Howard Winstone

Cardiff, 29 July 2010

Opening Event of the WBC Night of Champions

International Boxing Festival

The inspirational tale of World and Welsh boxing legend, Howard Winstone – who, despite losing the fingers on his right hand, still went on to win a Boxing World Title -- receives its World Premiere in Cardiff before an audience of the greatest boxers of all time from all round the world.

Directed by award-winning Neil Jones, the film features a galaxy of screen and boxing idols, and stars John Noble (from hit TV Series Fringe).  It tells Howard’s life, from losing his fingers – so, effectively, fighting one-handed -- to becoming Featherweight Champion of the World.

The film is the opening event of the WBC ‘Night of Champions’ International Boxing Festival.  Over 100 current and ex-world champions are expected to visit Cardiff for the 3-day international boxing festival, making it the greatest gathering of champions in history.

FIRST EVER: TEAM GB vs REST OF THE WORLD BOXING TOURNAMENT

Britain’s Olympic Hopefuls Face Their Toughest Test Yet

Cardiff, 30 July 2010

WBC Night of Champions International Boxing Festival

In the first ever Team GB v Rest of the World tournament, Britain’s prospective London2012 boxers face their sternest challenge yet on the road to Olympic glory.

10 of Britain’s finest young male boxers, and 2 of our best female boxers, will assess their progress and preparation for the London Olympic Games in a prestigious international tournament.  The tournament is also the final competitive outing for Britain’s boxers before the Commonwealth Games.

The tournament is also distinguished by being the first time that British Olympic hopefuls have fought before an audience of the greatest boxing world champions, many themselves previous Olympic medal winners, offering advice and encouragement to our next generation of boxing stars.

A British team has never fought a Rest of the World team before, and there are some significant match-ups to give our men and women the best preparation possible to secure medals.  A full list of competitors is attached in Notes to Editors.

Derek Mapp of the British Amateur Boxing Association (BABA) says:

“The GB Team are looking forward to a fantastic weekend of boxing in Cardiff. Our boxers see this as a big opportunity to enhance their selection prospects for the Commonwealth Games, and as a privilege to be able to compete in front of so many former world champions. It stands to be one of the great nights in this year’s boxing calendar.”

The tournament, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, is part of this year’s WBC (World Boxing Council) Night of Champions, a Gala Awards event held every 4 years at which the global boxing community unites to celebrate and acknowledge lifetime achievements, unsung heroes, and boxing’s contribution to developing youth and the wider community.

This year, over 100 current and ex-champions are expected to visit Cardiff for the 3-day international boxing festival, making it the greatest gathering of champions in history.  Already confirmed are such names as Eric Morales, Roberto Duran, Hector “Macho” Comacho, Tim Weatherspoon and Leon Spinks.

Team GB to fight on the night will be selected from the British Amateur Boxing Association’s (BABA) elite squad, selected for specialised support and development in preparation for London2012.  The squad includes 4 Welsh athletes.  The two British female boxers will be selected from the elite womens’ squad.  Male and female squad lists are attached below, and bios on each of the boxers can be found on BABA’s website, www.gbboxing.org.uk

BABA are in contact with other Associations around the world, and the Rest of the World team will be selected from leading European, US, Asian, African and Latin American countries.  The opponents will be selected on the basis that they provide a developmental challenge for Team GB members, in the most important tournament in which Team GB competes this year.

The Team GB Podium Squad is:
 

The Team GB Development Squad is:

The Team GB Womens’ Podium Squad is:

WBC NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS,

CARDIFF, 31 JULY 2010

Greatest Gathering of Champions in History

The WBC (World Boxing Council) Night of Champions, is a Gala Awards event intended to be held every 4 years at which the global boxing community unites to celebrate and acknowledge lifetime achievements, unsung heroes, and boxing’s contribution to developing youth and the wider community.

The First Night of Champions, 4 years ago, in Cancun (Mexico) attracted almost 100 current and past world title-holders.  This year, over 100 current and ex-champions are expected to visit Cardiff for the 3-day international boxing festival, making it the greatest gathering of champions in history. 

The Night of Champions is the boxing equivalent of the ‘Oscars’, with Awards being made to a variety of champions, ordinary people who commit themselves to supporting young boxers, community projects using boxing as a way of re-focusing young offenders or giving disadvantaged young people new opportunities.

As well as celebrities from the ring and silver screen, the Awards ceremony is open to the public, unlike the ‘Oscars’, allowing ordinary people to join the boxing fraternity and All-time Greats.  The ceremony is being held at the Cardiff International Arena, and tickets are now available for the dinner event.

BOXING CHAMPIONS TO HELP YOUTH & COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Legacy projects of the WBC ‘Night of Champions’

Cardiff, 29-31 July 2010

Funding community projects in Wales for disadvantaged and at risk youth, is a primary objective of the WBC ‘Night of Champions’ Festival. 

As the world’s largest sports governing body, the World Boxing Council (WBC) dedicates a portion of its resources to help disadvantaged and ill children around the world.  In the UK, ‘WBC Sporting Chances’ supports this ethos by providing community-based schemes to help young people.

Boxing is an excellent way to help the disadvantaged, particularly in helping young offenders to re-focus their lives more productively.  The discipline and dedication required in the Sport makes it the perfect vehicle for young people to learn transferable life skills that can really make a difference, giving them the tools to make a positive change and a platform for success.

Night of Champions event organiser, Kevin Hayde said:

“People have their own views on boxing, but there is no denying the sport’s beneficial impact on many young people, teaching them discipline, respect and leading a healthy lifestyle.  Far better they expend their natural energy in a ring than on the streets, developing life and work skills alongside their boxing talents.

“Every fan visiting the Festival will also be contributing to a fund to be reinvested back into the community, which not only helps our most troubled and disadvantaged youth, but gives them hope and skills for the future.”

Event organizers are currently in discussion with a range of interested organisations, including the police, Cardiff City Council and Princes Trust, regarding the development new programs to meet the needs of young people in Wales.  WBC Sporting chances will continue engaging with local community groups and other organisations to meet the ongoing needs of these young people.

Welcoming the initiative, Cardiff City Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Judith Woodman, said:

“As a child, the local boxing gym was an integral part of my community.  We should take the best traditions of the past and shape them to meet the challenges of tomorrow.  Boxing is proven to be the most effective sport in helping many young people back on the path of leading successful, satisfying lives.”

UK Director of WBC Sporting Chances, Mervyn Turner said:

“So many Champion boxers themselves come from difficult backgrounds, and so many of them readily give their time and support to community and child projects. 

“In the UK we provide boxing-based courses for a variety of people with the aim of helping them make positive changes in their lives, that not only improve their own life but those of others around them, helping them become a valuable tax paying member of society rather than a drain on the public resource.  We are giving young people a ‘Sporting Chance’ in life.

“All our courses use proven methods and principles to impart valuable information to participants enabling them to gain the valuable life skills they so desperately need.  We also use local, national and international role models to deliver key messages, lifestyle skills, and inspiration to help young people find a better future. Many former WBC world champions offer their services in their role as WBC ambassadors.

“The ‘Night of Champions’ Festival is a fantastic platform for us to develop projects in Wales and across the United Kingdom.”

4-23-2010
 

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