The Miami-Dade Sports Commission (MDSC) announced today that the World Series of Boxing (WSB) will call Miami home for one of its 12 international franchises. President of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu, along with MDSC Chairman Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz made the announcement at AmericanAirlines Arena, which will also serve as the team’s home venue.
The Miami franchise will be coached by Patrick Burns, and includes nine (9) fighters from the United States, including 2010 USA Boxing National Championship Finalist Sijuola Shabazz, and 2009 USA Boxing Championship Finalist Adan Ortiz. The 18 man roster is rounded out with nine (9) international fighters, including 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist Kenneth Egan (IRL) and 2009 World Championship Finalist Robert Navarro Gonzalez (DOM).
In addition to Miami, the World Series of Boxing – Americas will have teams representing Los Angeles, Memphis, and Mexico City. There will be four teams each from Europe and Asia to complete the 12 international franchises.
“AIBA has made enormous progress in its effort to revolutionize the sport of boxing and the World Series of Boxing is going to do just that,” said AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu. “An initiative such as the World Series of Boxing has been a long time coming for our sport, and I am pleased to see it finally come together.”
The WSB will be the only professional series in which boxers will retain their Olympic eligibility, and national federations will receive a return on their investment in boxers. AIBA’s vision for the World Series of Boxing is to preserve the best of the new style of professional boxing while capitalizing on AIBA’s strong boxing traditions to reunite the broader boxing world and its grassroots, while providing a bridge between Olympic boxing and professional boxing.
“The World Series of Boxing will change the landscape of boxing in the future,” said Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz. “We are so excited to be a part of this movement and to continue the great boxing tradition here in Miami.”
The regular season starts on November 18, 2010 when Miami takes on Los Angeles at home. During the regular season, each team will play each of the other teams twice (once home and once away). The regular season continues until March 17, 2011. The top team from each conference, plus the best second-placed team, will then enter the play-offs during April 2011. The team and individual championships will then take place during May 2011.
ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF BOXING:
The World Series of Boxing SA (WSB SA) is a limited company registered in Switzerland, and is owned 75% by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), the IOC-recognized world governing body for boxing, with 196 national federations, and in partnership with IMG, the world’s premier sports, entertainment and media company, holder of the remaining 25% equity. This partnership combines AIBA’s expertise and authority in world boxing and sports management with IMG’s sports marketing expertise, global reach, and extensive media rights business knowledge in order to help ensure that the World Series of Boxing reaches devoted boxing fans around the world.
For more information on the World Series of Boxing, please visit www.worldseriesboxing.com
ABOUT THE MIAMI-DADE SPORTS COMMISSION:
The Miami-Dade Sports Commission was created by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners in 2003, and opened for business in April of 2004. The Sports Commission promotes sports in Miami-Dade County, and works to secure sports events that will generate economic impact for the community. The Miami-Dade Sports Commission is a proud partner of the United States Olympic Committee’s Community Partner program.
For more information on the Miami-Dade Sports Commission, please visit www.MiamiSports.org.