Ukraine deserves right to host top boxing fights - WBC president

Ukraine deserves the right to hold top boxing fights, President of the World Boxing Council (WBC) Mauricio Sulaiman has said.

He stated this at a press conference devoted to the opening of the 56th WBC Convention in Kyiv, Ukrinform reports.

The press conference was also attended by the head of the organizing committee of the WBC Convention, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. He stated that Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk would definitely hold one of his championship bouts at the Olympic National Sports Complex in Kyiv. According to Sulaiman, the stadium in Kyiv can seat 80,000 fans for a boxing match, and Ukraine is today a top state in the boxing world. The fact that Kyiv was entrusted with hosting such a large-scale world event as the WBC Convention is also a sign of Ukraine's authority in the sports world, he added. 

Almost 700 guests from over 160 countries are waiting for the Convention. As for the stars, the main figures will be Wladimir Klitschko, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Julio Cesar Chavez, Tony Bellew, and Oscar De La Hoya. Mike Tyson's arrival remains in question. 

The opening ceremony of the WBC Convention will be held on Poshtova Square on October 1. 

op