In February, various rumors began to emerge about the future of the team Uzbek Tigers in the World Series of Boxing (WSB). The mass media reported that the Boxing Federation of Uzbekistan has suspended funding the team. Kun.uz correspondent had an interview with the President of the National Olympic Committee Umid Akhmadjanov regarding the situation.
- Uzbekistan was represented by the Uzbek Tigers team during the last three seasons in the World Series of Boxing. Last week, information spread that the team broke up. How accurate is this information?
- The tournament occupies a special place in the development of the Uzbek boxing industry. Fights of the WSB series open new stars, strong boxers get the opportunity to show their abilities. A very important aspect is that these competitions are a good stage in preparing our boxers for such tournaments as the Asian and World Championships, the Olympic Games. Strong boxers from Cuba, Russia, Kazakhstan and other leading boxing nations are participating in the WSB. Our boxers, entering the ring, compete with such strong rivals and improve skills.
Turning to your question, I’ll note that the Uzbek Tigers team will take part in the new season of the tournament. We inform you that the team's home matches will take place on the largest and best arenas of our country. In particular, here you can mark the arena of the multifunctional palace “Humo”, the opening of which will take place next month, and the stadium “Milliy”, where you can watch bright fights with the participation of Uzbek boxing stars. The National Olympic Committee is ready to provide necessary assistance and support to the country's boxing federation for effective work of the Uzbek Tigers. All conditions will be created for the team.
- What changes are expected in the new season of WSB? Previously, the tournament began in February, but due to the fact that the 9th season has not yet begun, rumors are spread that AIBA has closed the tournament.
- Starting from this year, AIBA has set a goal to make changes to the format of the tournament. In the Olympic Games 2020, there will be 8 weight categories in men's boxing instead of 10, due to which there are 5 categories in women's boxing. Consequently, there will be 8 weight categories in the World Boxing Series and they will be divided into 2 leagues – lightweight (52, 57, 63, 69 kg) and heavyweight (75, 81, 91, 91+ kg) categories. A participating country may represent its teams in two categories.
Due to the fact that licenses for the Olympics in Tokyo 2020 will be played out in the tournament, AIBA plans to hold team competitions from October 2019 to February 2020. The WSB, which will be held from May 29 to June 6, 2020, will hold licensed competitions and single finals. Following this tournament, 16 boxers will be known who will play at the Olympics. Thus, AIBA does not close the tournament, but thinks about its development methods.
- In 2019, what important tournaments are ahead of our boxers? The main stars of domestic sports have moved to professional boxing, how much will this affect the result?
- This year our boxers will take part in two major tournaments. In April, the Asian Championship among adults will be held in Bangkok (Thailand) and in September, Ekaterinburg (Russia) will host the World Championship. Now, members of the national team of Uzbekistan are regularly at the training camps for decent preparation for the upcoming important tournaments.
The first licenses for the Olympics in Tokyo-2020 will be raffled off at the World Championships in Yekaterinburg. For countries that cannot win licenses at the World Championships, AIBA plans to organize continental licensing tournaments. For the continents of Asia and Oceania, such license tournaments will be held next spring.
I would like to emphasize the fact that Uzbekistan is considered one of the world boxing powers. At the Olympics in Rio 2016, the boxers of Uzbekistan won first place in the team event, which in turn confirms this fact. I am sure that at the Olympics in Tokyo, the Uzbek masters of leather gloves will once again prove their superiority.
Turning to the second part of the question, I am far from thinking that with the transition of some of our leading boxers to the pro, the composition of the Uzbekistan national team has become weak. There is very big competition in our boxing. There are worthy applicants for each place in the team. Despite this, we will be able to use our professionals in some weight categories at the Asian Championships. For example, in the category up to -75 kg and -91 kg in the ring in Bangkok, you can see Isroil Madrimov and Bakhodir Jalolov.
Firstly, it will increase competition in the national team, and secondly, coaches will have a good opportunity before the World Cup to evaluate physical and psychological preparedness of our professional boxers.
We will also be able to take advantage of our professionals at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, of course, if their readiness meets the required level.
