Boxing tournament begins today

KARACHI: All Pakistan Amir Khan Boxing tournament, featuring a record 178 boxers, will start here at the Abdullah Baloch Boxing Gymnasium at People’s Sports Complex on Monday (today).

In the event, 18 units from across the country are fielding their pugilists. The tournament ends on December 21.

The competitions are being organised by Pakistan Rangers Sindh with the collaboration of Sindh Boxing Association (SBA) and Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF).

The details of the slots were unveiled here at a press conference by Pakistan Rangers Sindh 92 Commandant Zahid Hussain on Sunday.

SBA secretary Asghar Baloch, the event coordinator, told ‘The News’ after the press briefing that the draws were held on Sunday which was attended by two representatives each of every participating unit.

He said the preliminary bouts would be held on Monday (today). The pre-quarter-finals will be conducted on December 15 and 16, the quarter-finals on December 17 and 18, the semi-finals on December 19 and the finals on December 21.

December 20 will be rest day.  Asghar said that England’s star professional boxer and former two-time world champion Amir Khan would witness the finals.

Amir will land in Karachi on December 18.  Asghar said that Zahid promised to provide jobs to 2000 youngsters from Lyari.