Ethiopia to host maiden IBA Champions’ Night in Africa
The first IBA Champions’ Night in Africa will take place on August 17 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The announcement was made at a press conference with the authorities of the country, members of the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) and the IBA. The event will feature African boxers.
The news was announced at a joint press conference held by IBA Secretary General and CEO, Chris Roberts OBE, who was in Africa to make the announcement along with AFBC President, Mr Eyassu Wossen, AFBC Deputy Secretary General, Mr Yohannes Birhane, and Ethiopia’s Minister of Culture and Sports, Mrs Shawit Shanka Shashigo.
“The fight card will feature African talent, which will give a boost to the continent and attract local fans. I am confident that we will see the rise of new African stars after this event,” he said.
Ethiopia is a global athletics powerhouse with some of the best athletes in history. Its ambitious and open policies are giving an exponential boost to other sports. Boxing is one of the disciplines that is set to take off.
“My team is working closely with the IBA to put on the best Champions’ Night ever. AFBC President, Wossen, said, “We’re proud to be hosting this popular event for the first time in Africa. This event is crucial in raising the profile of boxing and providing the necessary resources for its continued growth. Minister Shashigo added, “I would like to invite everyone to the IBA Champions’ Night”, he said.
Traditionally, the African powerhouses have been Algeria and Morocco, which achieved good rankings at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, with Algeria having seven and Morocco six. Cameroon and Zambia also secured three Olympic places each.
Boxing has spread across the continent. It is now considered a viable sport in almost every country. Events like this, Champions’ Night, coming to Africa for the first time, give a boost to those boxers who need a push. -Insidethegames.biz
