Boxing 

HCM CITY — Asian boxing experts will get together to talk about issues related to boxing in the region and discuss the future development of the sport at the WBA Asia Convention on August 9-11 in HCM City.

More than 50 delegates have confirmed their participation at the event at the New World Saigon Hotel. They include senior leaders of the World Boxing Association (WBA) and WBA Asia, representatives of the federations and professional boxing committees across Asia, such as WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, Championships Committee Vice Chairman Julio Thyme, President Advisors José Oliver Gómez, along with representatives from Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Singapore.

The event, held by Shadow Entertaining under the guidance and coordination of the Việt Nam Boxing Federation and WBA Asia, is being held for the first time in Việt Nam and will also offer a training course and certification for referees and professional judges. Participants will directly observe the actual weigh-in and expertise test prior to a professional tournament within the conference's framework.

The event is expected to help improve the quality of Vietnamese referees and judges, contributing to building a solid foundation for the sustainable development of boxing in the country.

At the boxing event, WBA Asia will launch a new title to find the champion of each country member including Việt Nam and China. In addition, two dinner parties will be organised to create opportunities for participants to make connections and talk about the issues that they care about. 

Promoters, boxers, coaches, referees, judges and lovers of the sport can also attend.

Việt Nam's boxing is in a strong development phase. Along with local tournaments, the country has hosted a number of international events and Vietnamese boxers have also impressed with remarkable results in world boxing.

Among them are WBC Asia super flyweight champion Trần Văn Thảo, WBA East Asia Title and WBA Asia Title super middleweight winner Trương Đình Hoàng, WBA Asia minimum weight champion Lê Hữu Toàn and WBO female mini-flyweight title holder Nguyễn Thị Thu Nhi.

According to the organisers, a successful WBA Asia Convention 2024 will not only be an opportunity for Việt Nam to demonstrate its ability to carry out international events, but also a chance for the local boxing community to interact, learn and exchange experiences with world and continental leading experts. 

It will promise development potential for Vietnamese amateur and professional boxing, while luring the attention of investors and sponsors.

The WBA, founded in 1921, is one of the leading and oldest boxing management organisations in the world. It is responsible for supervising, regulating and ranking professional boxers globally and organising world championships. — VNS