AIBA, the world governing body for the sport of boxing, has appointed Mr William Louis-Marie as its new PR & Communications Director.
Mr William Louis-Marie has an extensive experience in world-class event and sport communications, media relations and promotions, having previously worked as Communications Director for the Baku 2015 European Games.
AIBA appoints William Louis-Marie as its new PR & Communications Director. photo credit: brl-tv.blog.leparisien.fr
“I am thrilled to join AIBA and contribute to the strong development of boxing under the vision of the AIBA President, Dr Ching-Kuo Wu. The noble art is gaining massive attraction all over the world and the coming months will reinforce boxing’s amazing appeal with numerous high-profile continental events and the AIBA World Boxing Championships Doha 2015 leading up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games”, Mr Louis-Marie expressed.
Mr William Louis-Marie has also worked for the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games and the France 1998 FIFA World Cup as Communications Manager for Coca Cola France. Moreover, he held the position of Senior Vice President of Trace TV, managing the launch of Trace Sports.
One of the most prestigious boxing events of the year begins this week, as the 3rd edition of the AIBA Women’s Youth & Junior World Championships starts in Taipei, Taiwan.
An excellent line-up of boxers from 45 nations have registered to take part in this tournament, and the sporting world will be able to view the future stars of women’s boxing firsthand.
Fast facts
What: AIBA Women’s Youth & Junior World Championships
Where: Taipei, Taiwan
When: 14-25 May 2015
On Wednesday 13th May, a press conference was held ahead of the Championships, where a wide range of boxing dignitaries attended, including AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, Chairman of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee Hong Dao Lin, President of the Chinese Taipei Boxing Association Wunan Lee, Deputy Director of Education Weimin Jiang, Manager of the Gym Zhihan Chen, Supervisor Waldemar Mencel, Competition Manager Ben Cheng, plus the entire boxing team of Chinese Taipei.
Many members of the local media also attended, and the event was a perfect introduction for the upcoming competition.
The Tension and the Drama
Chinese Taipei’s Chen Nien Chin is a hero in her home country, and will be the host nation’s biggest hope to reach the top of the podium.
The Taipei-based athlete was a gold medallist in the 2013 AIBA Junior World Boxing Championships in Albena, Bulgaria, and earned a silver medal at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.
With such high expectation on her shoulders, can the super talented Chen Nien Chin use the pressure to her advantage, and triumph at the top of the strong Middleweight (75 kg) class?
The most anticipated battle of the Championships
Armenia’s Anush Grigoryan and China’s Chang Yuan have both achieved significant victories in worldwide events, and are in the midst of an intense rivalry having met in the ring three times already in their young careers.
The first clash was held in Albena over 18 months ago where the Chinese boxer won their inaugural meeting, while Grigoryan gained revenge in the qualification event of the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Sofia.
Chang Yuan won their third contest in the front of her home crowd during the boxing tournament of the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games, and if they meet again in the Youth Flyweight (51 kg) class in Taipei, their fourth battle will be one of the most anticipated bouts of the entire competition.
One to watch
US star Jajaira Gonzalez is one of the most prodigious talents in all of boxing, and she has never been defeated throughout her boxing career.
Her list of accolades at such a young age is remarkable, with victories in the 2013 AIBA Junior World Championships, the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games and its qualification event, plus the AMBC American Women’s Youth Continental Championships.
Gonzalez is seeking another significant medal in the AIBA Women’s Youth & Junior World Championships, and the hugely talented boxer will attract much attention in the ring if she remains undefeated in Taipei.
AIBA AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, during the press conference in Taipei 2015
AIBA Women’s Youth & Junior World Championships Key Facts
Continuing the excellent ascent of women’s boxing in terms of popularity, the final number of registered athletes is 441 from 45 nations.
The number of Youth athletes is 247, and they will be fighting in the following weight classes: 48 kg, 51 kg, 54 kg, 57 kg, 60 kg, 64 kg, 69 kg, 75 kg, 81 kg and +81 kg.
Additionally, 194 Junior boxers have registered in thirteen official weight classes: 46 kg, 48 kg, 50 kg, 52 kg, 54 kg, 57 kg, 60 kg, 63 kg, 66 kg, 70 kg, 75 kg, 80 kg, +80 kg.
Among the developing boxing nations, Afghanistan, Botswana, Burundi, Guatemala, Haiti, Kosovo, Nepal, Nigeria, Papua New-Guinea and Sri Lanka will all take part, while both DPR Korea and Thailand will make their debut in the AIBA Women’s Youth & Junior World Championships.
This event will also mark the first appearance of Canada in the tournament, and their team will be looking for medals alongside Vietnam, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
History of the AIBA Women’s Youth & Junior World Championships
The event was launched in 2011 when Antalya hosted the first edition of the Championships for Youth and Junior women’s boxers, and the best performances was achieved by China, India, Russia, Turkey and Sweden.
Japan and Kazakhstan also claimed gold medals in Antalya, with Australia, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia and Vietnam earning medals as well.
Albena, Bulgaria hosted the second edition of the AIBA Women’s Youth & Junior World Championships in September 2013, where the Powerful Russian side claimed five gold medals, with Poland and United States both earning three top positions.
Ten of the thirteen junior gold medallists from Albena will compete again in the Championships in Chinese Taipei, and the host nation will be looking to improve on their two historic golds from two years ago.
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has decided to withdraw its participation in the SportAccord World Combat Games along with suspending its SportAccord membership following its AIBA Executive Committee’s decision of May 5, 2015.
The AIBA President, Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, said “We have aimed to create a clear identity for the sport of boxing in the past 8 years of my Presidency. Boxing is a Noble Art and a traditional Olympic sport and we feel that the participation in the World Combat Games challenges this identity among boxing fans”.
He also added that “It is with much regret that we suspend our membership with SportAccord with immediate effect. AIBA’s work is based on the Olympic values and it is the values of integrity and respect that we must protect first and foremost”.
AIBA had been a member of SportAccord since 1967 and had previously participated in SportAccord World Combat Games in Saint-Petersburg in 2013 and in Beijing in 2010.
International Boxing Association President Dr Ching Kuo-Wu and President of Turkish Boxing Federation Mr Eyüp Gözgeç have signed an Agreement to host the AIBA European Olympic Qualifying Event in Turkey in April 2016 in the presence of the Minster of Youth and Sport of Turkey, Mr Akif Çağatay Kılıç, AIBA President praised the agreement: “I am very happy that this prestige event will be held in Turkey, and I am very confident that Turkish Boxing Federation will be able to organize the competition at the highest possible standard.” He also expressed his appreciation to the Minister: “I am deeply appreciative to the Minister for his great support rendered to our sport and our National Federation.”
AIBA President, Dr Ching Kuo-Wu; Minster of Yo uth and Sport of Turkey, Mr Akif Çağatay Kılıç; President of Turkish Boxing Federation; APB Turkish Champions Adem Kilicci and Onur Sipal
The President of Turkish Boxing Federation replied to AIBA President: “Turkey is very keen on further developing and promoting boxing in our country and I am confident that hosting this event will help involve more people in the sport of boxing”.
The AIBA European Olympic Qualifying Event in 2016 will produce a total of 30 Olympic quota places which the top 3 ranked boxers in each of the ten weight categories earn the opportunities to represent their countries in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) made history today by becoming the exclusive partner for all Cuban boxers from the Cuban Boxing Federation whenever they compete in international boxing competitions.
A memorandum signed today between AIBA and the Cuban Boxing Federation (FCB) commits that all FCB boxers will only compete in AIBA-approved competitions, including the World Series of Boxing (WSB) and AIBA Pro Boxing (APB).
Both AIBA and the FCB have agreed that Cuban boxers will not be allowed to compete in any non-AIBA professional boxing competitions in order to protect them from being exploited by professional promoters as diplomatic doors with Cuba begin to open.
Ahead of the British Lionheart’s final home match against the Cuba Domodores, AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu welcomed the two teams, as well as representatives from both GB Boxing and Cuba Boxing Federation, to the ArcellorMittal Orbital to witness the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations.
AIBA becomes the exclusive partner for all Cuban Boxers
AIBA President, Dr Ching-Kuo Wu was proud to mark the future union. “Signing this memorandum with the Cuban Boxing Federation is a significant step in AIBA’s history, and it highlights our commitment to supporting the very best boxing talent in the world. We are very grateful for the trust and commitment shown by FCB toward our organization.”
President of Cuba Boxing Federation Mr. Alberto Puig de la Barca also expressed his delight at the signing of the memorandum. “Today is an important day for the development of Cuban boxing and I am happy to be a part of this historic event for our sport. This agreement will ensure that Cuban boxing continues to grow and prosper all over the world,” he said.
With the British Lionhearts v Cuba Domodores match-up taking place at the Copper Box Arena, the event was made even more significant by its location on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, home of the London 2012 Olympics, reminding many of the young boxers of their Olympic goals.
AIBA unveiled today the logo for 2015 World Boxing Championships, which will take place in Doha, Qatar on October 5-18th, 2015. “I am delighted to see that the preparations for the AIBA World Boxing Championships are moving at full speed.
The upcoming tournament edition is crucial for many boxers as it will be a direct qualification for Rio 2016 Olympic Games. I am very much looking forward to one of the most exciting events in the boxing calendar”, said AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu.
The logo includes a series of elements representing Qatar with a sharp shape of a boxer serving as a central element and representing the shape of the Qatar flag center. The burgundy and white colors are the traditional colors of Qatar, while yellow represents the country’s sand.
Mr. Yousuf Ali Al-Kazim, the Chairman of LOC Doha 2015 expressed his delight with the new logo: “I am really happy with the 2015 World Boxing Championships logo as it truly represents Qatar and the country’s aspiration to successfully host such high profile sports events as 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships”.
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) President, Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, has completed his appointments of Members including all Chairpersons for AIBA 11 Commissions (list attached). However, for the AIBA Scientific Commission, which is a newly developed Commission, an additional 4 experts from different areas such as the Medical field, Scientific field and Boxing Equipment field will soon be appointed as Members.
“I am very proud and happy to have found highly competent and knowledgeable boxing members to take part in all Commissions’ work. I believe that these members will greatly contribute to the further enhancement of our sport and continuous success of our organization”.
The mandates of the Commission Members are from January 2015 until next AIBA Congress. All Commissions will have held their first meetings as well as a Joint Meeting from February 3 – 5 in Lausanne.
In addition to re-electing the AIBA President Ching-Kuo Wu, delegates from national federations at the International Boxing Association’s 2014 Congress also voted to appoint new Vice Presidents and Executive Committee members for the coming four years.
CKWu elected President
The Vice President appointments are:
VP for Africa: Kelani Bayor (Togo)
VP for America: Osvaldo Bisbal (Argentina)
VP for Asia: Serik Konakbayev (Kazakhstan)
VP for Europe: Franco Falcinelli (Italy)
VP for Oceania: Ted Tanner (Australia)
In addition, three new Vice Presidents were appointed:
Di Wu (China) VP representing the Boxing Marketing Arm (BMA).
Timur Kulibayev (Kazakhstan) VP representing the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB)
Gofur Rakhimov (Russia) VP representing the World Series of Boxing (WSB)
Executive Committee members are:
From Africa: Mohamed Moustahsane (Morocco) and Nabil Sadi (Algeria)
From America: Alberto Puig De La Barca (Cuba) and Ray Silvas (USA)
From Asia: Yan Yue (China) and Yoon Seok Chang (Korea)
From Europe: Terry Smith (Wales) and Suleyman Mikayilov (Azerbaijan)
From Oceania: Mapu Jamias (American Samoa)
Additional EC members elected are:
Fran Lopez Almeida (Venezuela)
Jurgen Kyas (Germany)
Eyup Gozgec (Turkey)
Steve Ninvalle (Guyana)
Pat Fiacco (Canada)
Indian Boxer Sarita Laishraim Devi today apologized for her improper behaviour at the Award Ceremony for the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, Korea, which took place yesterday at the Sunhak Boxing competition venue.
The Head of the Indian Mission at the Incheon Asian Games 2014 Mr Adille J Sumariwalla has forwarded to the President of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, a letter of apology of Woman boxer Sarita Laishram Devi (57-60kg) who had refused to receive the bronze medal at the Award Ceremony for the 17th Asian Games.
Mrs Devi expressed “an unconditional apology” for her “emotional outburst” at the ceremony yesterday, writing that “I regret and apologize. Such an incident will never reoccur in the future“.
The Head of the Indian Mission has furthermore asked the AIBA President to take into account this letter and the specific circumstances which led to such a “spontaneous knee jerk reaction”, which according to Mr Sumariwalla, was not “a planned effort” of the Indian delegation.
AIBA, the world governing body for the sport of boxing, yesterday appointed David Gough as Chief Executive Officer for its exclusive global marketing company, the Boxing Marketing Arm (BMA).
Mr Gough has significant experience in world-class sponsorship sales, sports marketing and commercial partnership having previously worked for IMG and Coca-Cola amongst others.
David Gough BMA C.E.O with AIBA President and BMA Board Chairman, Dr Ching-Kuo Wu
AIBA President and BMA Board Chairman, Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, said: “I am delighted that David Gough is joining the BMA, and there is little doubt that his excellent international experience will provide us with significant support as we move into an exciting new era for boxing.
“AIBA is the global governing body for the sport of boxing and David’s knowledge of international sports sponsorship and marketing will certainly boost the commercial success of our boxing competitions and initiatives.”
Mr Gough, whose appointment was reviewed and approved by the BMA board, said: “This is an important time for AIBA and the sport of boxing and I am thrilled to be joining at a time of such revolutionary change.
“Having worked for some of the world’s biggest brands and events, I am convinced that APB and World Series of Boxing (WSB) can establish themselves as top sports competitions on the international stage.”
Mr Gough has significant sports experience, having worked with Coca-Cola at the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games, five Super Bowls, four NCAA Final Fours, three MLB and NBA All-Star Weekends and Disney events.
BMA is the marketing company established by AIBA to manage all commercial properties of AIBA’s three main programs, AIBA Open Boxing (AOB), AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) and World Series of Boxing (WSB) focused on TV/Media and Sponsorship Rights Sales.
The boxing competition of the 2014 Commonwealth Games ended in Glasgow showcasing the excitement and underlining the progress being made by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
HRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and HRH Prince Harry were among the thousands who packed out the SECC Arena during the Games where 13 gold medals were being contested.
The AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone who has taken part in the Commonwealth Games and made the boxing competition such a great spectacle.”
“Nothing provokes more pride than to see how these competitions have captured the imagination of sports fans and even members of the British Royal family. Commonwealth Games 2014 success underlines progress AIBA as the governing body for the world of boxing is making”
Among those to emerge victorious were the popular London 2012 gold medallist Nicola Adams, who beat Northern Ireland’s Michaela Walsh in the flyweight final and the AIBA President believes the Women’s Boxing competition has built on its success at London 2012 to confirm its importance on the world stage.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for women’s boxing, with the sport truly beginning to blossom following landmark inclusion in the London 2012 Olympic Games. We witness the birth of new personalities who lead our effort to bring the women boxing at the top of any other women sports,” – underlined AIBA President.
Finally, Dr Ching-Kuo Wu commented on head guards removal polemics: “Boxing is a contact sport and of course the boxers are going through an adjustment as we move to a consistent format for our competitions. As spectators will confirm, the changes AIBA are instigating are for the long term benefit of the sport and all to participate in it.”
This Conference was staged on June 5-6, just before the two-legged WSB Finals which starts today, in order to provide each of the future 15 WSB Franchises an overall evaluation of Season IV, and to discuss detailed plans and clear objectives for the upcoming Season V.
“The WSB program has overall significantly improved and expanded throughout these four seasons, and the great support from all Franchises and participating National Federations in this continuous development have been the keys to this success”, stated Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, the AIBA President and the WSB Board Chairman at his opening speech of the Conference.
In the course of the Franchise Conference, the WSB team presented the overall evaluation of the Season IV emphasising on the matters to be improved by the next season.
The second part of the Conference was dedicated to the upcoming Season V.
As the number of Franchises has been increased to 15 teams which new additions China, Morocco and Venezuela, a new competition format and schedules were presented.
In addition, new PR and Marketing Strategies and plans were discussed to enhance the overall revenues for the Franchises and WSB.
One of the most important issues to agree was the overall improvement of the quality of TV production.
All host broadcasters in hosting franchise countries will work closely with WSB in order to provide the best quality of TV programs for the success of WSB Season V.
Important decisions were made including the news that Season V will start at the beginning of January 2015 this time.
In addition, all foreign boxers will be selected via Boxers’ Draft due to the Olympic Qualifying Process.
As we all are aware, the next WSB Season has a significant importance as it will be the first Olympic Qualifying Event for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Therefore the Olympic qualification process became one of the central themes of discussion.
The WSB Chief Executive Officer Karim Bouzidi highlighted after the Franchise Conference that all the WSB Franchises this opportunity for discussion very seriously, and had worked very hard over the course of the two days.
He also announced that the WSB Team Draw will be held on July, 16th in Istanbul in the framework of the AIBA Executive Committee Meeting.
Finally, WSB provided Franchises with some of the upcoming innovations for the new Season V, amongst which will be the new WSB website, the construction of which is being completed by one of the biggest design names in the industry.
Don’t forget to follow the WSB on Twitter to stay up to date with events.
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