India won their first medal in boxing at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, with a Bronze medal going to Vijender Kumar, blue. Officials hope the win will encourage boxing in India. — AP (File Photo)

CHENNAI Indian boxing received a boost when it was confirmed as one of the franchise hosts for the new World Series to be launched by amateur boxings ruling body in September next year.

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) is hoping to spice up the amateur game by find new audiences and new funding through the team-based World Boxing Series.
'India has been given a franchise for 10 years,' Indian boxing federation secretary general P.K. Muralidharan Raja told Reuters on Thursday. 'As to which Indian corporate group won, it will be announced later.'

India, home to a multi-million dollar franchise cricket league, is hoping to tap into the sports popularity which was fired by middleweight Vijender Kumar winning bronze in Beijing last year, the countrys first Olympic medal in the ring.

'Its good for our boxers that India has been chosen as one of four cities from the Asian region,' Raja said. 'They will get paid well' he added.

'We are hoping to build on this and have our own city-based Indian Series. This will popularise the sport in India and also be a feeder series for the Indian franchise.'

The WBS will comprise four city-based teams apiece from Europe, Asia and the Americas, with boxers still able to participate in the Olympics as well. 'Eight of the 12 teams have been decided,' Raja said, without giving further details.

The boxers, who will not wear headgear or vests as in traditional amateur bouts, will clash over five three-minute rounds. Each team will have up to 20 boxers, including reserves, with at least three foreigners allowed. The franchises are expected to be in place by June.

AIBA said five weight categories — bantam, light, middle, light-heavy and heavy — would be included in the series. — Reuters