Indian Boxers Among Best in Asia: International Boxing Association
Mary Kom and the recently-turned professional Vijender Singh have been among the most successful boxers to have come out of India over the last few years.
Indian boxing may be afflicted by poor administration, but the International Boxing Association (AIBA) insists that the country is still among the best in the continent.
"Asia has got great potential in boxing and I know the improvement of the continent and the role of their boxers in the world's boxing life. We have got strong and traditional boxing nations in the continent, I would like to mention at least Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China, Thailand, India and Mongolia," AIBA president Ching-Kuo Wu was quoted as saying by asiaboxing.org on Wednesday.
"The environment is perfect in the Asian continent therefore boxing could be even more popular in the upcoming years."
Wu's comments come in the backdrop of an impressive performance by Indian boxers in the ongoing Asian Boxing Championships here with three Indian pugilists entering the finals of their respective weight categories.
Wu was optimistic about the potential of boxing in Asia and asserted that the AIBA is determined to bring India to the World Series of Boxing (WSB) -- a semi-proffessional tournament which sees amateur boxers competing in a professional format.
"We have to keep focusing to involve more nations from Asia especially India and Thailand to the World Series of Boxing which is our successful project. India is a big market with a lot of boxers therefore our job has not been finalized yet in the continent," the AIBA chief said.
"Kazakhstan is our two-time champion in the World Series of Boxing and China also competes in our project. Uzbekistan also joined the tournament and their team will be there in the sixth season which is great news for Asia," he added