Olympic medallist Khan to launch pro boxing league

Indian boxing is set to get a boost with two-time world champion Amir Khan launching the Super Boxing League (SBL) scheduled to be held from July 7 to August 12.

Khan, a British boxer of Pakistani origin who took silver at the Athens Olympics in 2004, is launching the SBL in association with AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) who will provide the boxers the right platform to showcase their talent.

British businessman Bill Dosanjh, the founder and promoter of the Super Fight League (SFL) mixed martial arts tournament which was recently held in the capital, is also associated with the SBL as Founder-CEO.

One of the features of the SBL will be its scoring system wherein a boxer will receive six points on winning a bout through knock-out.

The SBL will consist of eight franchises. Each team will comprise six players -- five male boxers and one female boxer with six back up players per team.

There will be competitions in six different weight categories with bouts comprising of four rounds of three minutes each.

International Boxing Association (AIBA) President Ching-Kuo Wu said India has a natural platform for the promotion of boxing.

"It is heartening to accompany the birth of this new competition. It will further enhance Indian boxing perception on the international stage and provide yet another career pathway for AIBA boxers. I am hopeful that this league will do justice to India's vast potential in the sport," he said is a statement.

Khan, who had expressed his desire to promote boxing in the Sub-continent on several occasions earlier, is also excited about the SBL.

"I am very happy to introduce this unique platform for Indian boxers. With Super Boxing League, we aim to provide the right training for potential boxers which will helps in producing more professional world champions," the 30-year-old said.

"We want to create an exciting platform where talent can fight in front of their home fans in their own country. With such a talent filled nation, I believe India can produce aplenty boxing superstars in coming years."

The SBL fights will be held over the week-end -- Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

--IANS

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