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BEIJING China is hoping to build on its success in the ring at last years Beijing Olympics by launching the countrys first national amateur boxing league next year, the Chinese Boxing Federation (CBF) has announced.
Boxing does not have a very long history in the worlds most populous country, where home-grown martial arts are far more popular, but received a boost when the host nation won two golds, one silver and bronze medal at last years Summer Games.
The league, to be launched next April, will feature eight clubs with at least 10 boxers each competing at five weights for individual and team titles in weekly tournaments, the CBF said on its website (boxing.sport.org.cn).
'I hope the league will push forward the professionalisation of Chinese sports to build a strong sporting nation,' said CBF head Chang Jianping.
In the wake of last years hugely successful Olympics, the Chinese government has targeted the domestic sports market as an area of potential future economic growth.
Badminton is soon to launch a new domestic league, while table tennis, the nations favourite sport, has revamped its national league on a more commercial footing.
The new boxing league, which was given the go ahead by Chinas sports ministry last week, will be trialed for a year and only continue if it is considered successful.
The recent decision to admit womens boxing at the 2012 London Olympics could also be a boost to the sport in China, whose only professional world champion is former WBA womens super-flyweight title holder Zhang Xiyan.
Last week, mens Olympic super-heavyweight silver medalist Zhang Zhilei announced that he would be working with US Hall of Fame trainer Lou Duva as he prepares for the London Olympics in 2012.
A promotions company run by Duvas son, D & D Global, said it hoped ultimately to train most of Chinas top amateur boxers and help the CBF in other areas.
A CBF official said on Tuesday that no foreign promoters or fighters were involved in the new Chinese league.
