A close-up of a bloodstained shirt worn by IBF referee James Cotton during a cruiserweight title match in Frankfurt, Germany, on April 4, 2012. (Photo : Reuters)
China’s boxing scene got a huge boost after the International Boxing Federation (IBF) announced on Monday that it will hold its annual convention in Beijing next year.
IBF's China branch has scheduled regional ranking events since March, with more than 30 matches having been held in seven Chinese cities.
IBF China President Wang Ruihang was also promoted as executive president of IBF Asia on Monday. In a statement, Wang said the cooperation between the Chinese and American sides would help improve ties between the two nations.
According to IBF President Daryl Peoples, the development of boxing in China has exceeded expectations.
"It's not just about immediately having a champion but about sharing a common vision [with the Chinese] of developing professional boxing in China," he said.
Chinese boxing is currently led and headlined by the flyweight Zou Shiming, who won two gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics during his amateur career. Other top-tier boxers from China include Xiong Chaozhong, Yang Lianhui (Ik Yang) and Zhang Junlong.
The latest high-profile bout involving a Chinese boxer came in March, when Zou fought for the IBF flyweight title but lost to Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand.
"I'm sure China is a very talent-rich country," Peoples said. "Somewhere out there are 10 more Zou Shiming."
He noted the need for exposure of more athletes as spurring the IBF to support grassroots fights in China.
"We want to develop boxing, they all deserve an opportunity," said Peoples, who became president in 2010. "I think in the next five years IBF China is going to produce several athletes on world stage, and this is just the beginning."
"Once we get more into fighting professional-style boxing, I think we can find boxing stars in every division," he added.
The organizers vowed to host 100 fights in China by the end of 2015, with the number of registered fighters expected to reach 300.
The global sanctioning body has also hosted seminars for judges and referees.
According to Zhang Xudong, a senior referee with IBF China, two training sessions have already been held, with Chinese referees now able to handle all the matches held in the country.
