In January 2024, the world of boxing will converge in Sheffield, England, for a groundbreaking event. The ‘World Boxing Cup: GB Open, Sheffield 2024′, hosted by England Boxing and World Boxing in collaboration with GB Boxing, marks a pivotal moment in international boxing. Scheduled for 17-20 January at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield, this competition is set to revolutionize the elite boxing calendar.
As part of the innovative World Boxing Cup series, crafted by World Boxing to cement boxing’s place in the Olympic Movement, this event introduces a new competitive format. Both male and female boxers will battle across several stages throughout the year, accumulating ranking points. This cumulative effort culminates in a grand Finals event, where the top-ranked fighters and stage winners clash for the coveted World Boxing Cup trophy.
The Sheffield event, kickstarting the 2024 series, will feature seven men’s weight divisions and six for women, aligning with the categories set for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This event, supported by the National Lottery, UK Sport, and Sheffield City Council, symbolizes a significant collaboration between England Boxing, World Boxing, and GB Boxing.
Simon Toulson, Secretary General of World Boxing, emphasized the federation’s commitment to offering high-quality competitions that prioritize boxers’ interests. Bringing this event to England as part of the World Boxing Cup series showcases their dedication to creating a boxer-centric competition structure, perfectly timed as a lead-up to the Olympic qualifier in Italy. This structure not only benefits the athletes but also enhances the sport overall.
Matt Holt, Chief Executive of GB Boxing, expressed enthusiasm for hosting an international boxing competition in the UK. This partnership with the new international federation and local stakeholders allows GB boxers to compete on home turf, a significant advantage for the squad usually competing abroad. Hosting this event before the second Olympic qualifying event in Italy provides ideal preparation for GB boxers aiming for Paris 2024.
Jerome Pels, Chief Executive of England Boxing, shared the excitement of being part of the World Boxing Cup series. This event offers an excellent opportunity to highlight boxing’s popularity in England and to work collaboratively with World Boxing and GB Boxing. It also serves to promote and grow the sport at the grassroots level in Great Britain.
Councillor Martin Smith of Sheffield City Council hailed the event as a boon for Sheffield, the home of Team GB’s boxing program. Events like the World Boxing Cup are seen as highly beneficial to the city.
All National Federations affiliated with World Boxing are invited to participate in the Sheffield event. Even those not currently members can join, pending approval from World Boxing’s Executive Board.
Launched in April 2023, World Boxing is committed to keeping boxing a central part of the Olympic movement. Seeking recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), its aim is to ensure boxing’s presence in the Olympic competition programme continues at Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.
Currently, 27 National Federations from across the globe are members of World Boxing. These include prominent boxing nations from every continent participating in Olympic-style boxing, demonstrating the widespread support for this new initiative in the boxing world.