India Hosts High Caliber Boxing

(ATR) Nearly two dozen countries are guaranteed medals as the 2018 AIBA Women’s Boxing World Championships head into the quarterfinal round of competition in New Delhi.

"The tournament is going extremely well. Great boxing with many close decisions. It is clear that the level of boxing has increased dramatically around the world as the boxing is of a high caliber," AIBA technical delegate Pat Fiacco tells Around the Rings.

More than 270 boxers from 61 countries started out November 14 in the tournament that runs until November 24. Venue is the Indira Gandhi sports complex constructed for the 2011 Commonwealth Games.

"The venue is first class and the atmosphere during the bouts is electric," reports Fiacco. He says that after more than 200 bouts there has been little controversy in the ring.

"Yesterday the Bulgarian coach did not agree with a decision that saw his boxer lose. His behavior afterthe bout result was announced went against the AIBA code of conduct and he has been suspended from the competition and the case has been forwarded to the AIBA disciplinary commission," Fiacco says.

Outside the ring, international politics has interfered with the tournament. Due to India’s failure to recognize Kosovo, the sole entrant from that nation was not permitted to receive a visa.

"The Kosovo issue did not get resolved and as a result AIBA will have to reopen the 2021 Men’s World Championships bids which were to be held in India. There must me a divide between sports and politics," says Fiacco.

Newly elected AIBA president Gafur Rakhimov was on hand for the opening ceremony and first day of competition. He heads back to New Delhi this week for the final bouts.

As the fourth day of competition opened, China led the metal table with five followed by India with four medals. The U.S., Turkey and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are next on the table.

Boxers from Mongolia, Columbia and Wales have won their first ever medals at a world championship.

Reported by Ed Hula.