TOP RANK AND SECA LAUNCH LEAGUE OF FISTS
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 05 Sep 2015
SHANGHAI, CHINA ? Professional boxing in China marches on.
Top Rank and SECA opened another chapter in their historic partnership Friday with the launching of the LEAGUE OF FISTS, a tournament style competition which aims to develop the pro boxing talent in mainland China.
This new boxing program was announced Friday in a press conference held at the Shanghai Marriott Hotel Luwan in Shanghai. The event was attended by Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, SECA founder and CEO Sheng Li, WBO VP and Asia Pacific chief Leon Panoncillo and PBC representative Samson Iu.
The American Hall of Fame boxing promoter stated that together with his partner SECA, they will build the sport of boxing in China. Through this competition, they will develop the best fighters in China who will go on to fight for world titles, not only here in the mainland but around the world. Sheng Li said that there will be 80 boxers involved in the tournament with the winners moving up to the semi-final and final phases. The inaugural card was held Friday September 4 at the Mixing Room of the Mercedes Benz Arena with ten pairs of four rounders.
This endeavor is supported by the World Boxing Organization (WBO). Panoncillo emphasized that the WBO will work with the two promotional companies for the ranking of the fighters and for sanctioning of the fights once the boxers are eligible to fight for the greater China championship and for regional titles. He stressed that this tournament will be a good foundation to build and develop the boxers? careers. This was echoed by Iu, who said that the Professional Boxing Commission (PBC) has been working together with the said organizations to run China pro boxing in a professional manner.
The second fight card for the LEAGUE OF FISTS will be held September 5, Saturday, also in Shanghai?s Mercedes Benz Arena.
Sheng Li (L) with Chinese boxers.
L-R: PBC's Samson Iu, Leon Panoncillo Jr and Bob Arum.
Photos by Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
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