During the International Invitational Boxing Tournament held in Beijing on 17-22 November, not many fans showed up and Chinese athletes didn’t get any medals, despite quite big number representing national team. That confirmed the fact of unpopularity of this sport in China. Besides, Chinese culture lack cult and worship of muscular man, as Achilles from ancient Greece.

Organized as one of Good Luck Beijing events, this tournament was held in Workers’ Indoor Arena. And 70 athletes from 15 countries presented 18 teams. Olympic games will stage boxing in 11 categories, but the testing competition was organized for 6 categories (51 kg, 57 kg, 60 kg, 69 kg, 91 kg, and +91 kg). Interesting that youngest fighter was from China – 16 years old, and most experiences from Philippines – 31 years.

Russia and Kazakhstan presented fighters in each category which reflected positive results. Russian Federation took home 2 golden and 3 bronze medals, and Kazakhstan – gold, silver and 3 bronze. These two teams shared the first place. Kazakh Serik Yeleuov in fight against American Sadam Ali (60 kg), and Russian Dmitriy Ivanov in fight against Kazakh Khanat Orakbaev (69 kg) won gold with dramatic points’ difference. However, fight between Denis Sergeev (RUS) and Michael Hunter (USA) in category +91 kg, kept audience electrified till the end and with 3 points Russia took over USA.

At the press-conference, President of International Boxing Association (AIBA) Dr Ching-Kuo Wu expressed hopes for China getting gold in Olympic-2008, based on results of Chinese boxers in International Championships (gold and 4 bronze). As he mentioned: “Each bronze medalist has good chances and potential to win 1st Olympic gold for China next year”. But International Championship gold winner Zou Shiming (48 kg) didn’t participate in this invitational tournament. The best for China was winning bronze medal.

Boxing premiered in Olympics in 1904 and American team was present at the competition. Despite the impetuous development of boxing in many countries and the fact that International Women Championships appeared, many people, especially President of AIBA, wanted to include women competitions into Olympic program. Association also planned to establish World Union of boxers which can unite professional and non-professional boxers. For now, those athletes participating in professional competitions can’t take part in Olympics.

For some boxers this testing tournament was preparation to Olympic Games as they wish to present their country in 2008. All the gold winners of Tournament noticed that opponents in their categories were strong enough and fights were exhausting, but training and mood were deciding.

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