The city of Liverpool, England, has been selected to host the first-ever World Boxing Championships for men and women in 2025. The event, organized by World Boxing, the new International Federation committed to keeping boxing in the Olympic Games, will take place from September 4 to September 14 at the M&S Bank Arena.
This historic championship will feature both male and female boxers competing in 10 weight classes each, marking the first time that men’s and women's Olympic-style boxing will be held together at a global event. The weight categories will be finalized following World Boxing’s Congress in November, with the updated competition rules set to be released shortly after.
Liverpool’s successful bid to host the event was developed in partnership with England Boxing, GB Boxing, Liverpool City Council, and the M&S Bank Arena, with support from the National Lottery and UK Sport. The event is expected to draw global attention to both the city and the sport.
World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst expressed his excitement about the event:
"Liverpool is a globally famous city with a proud heritage in boxing, and it will be a fantastic place to host our first ever Elite World Boxing Championships."
Jerome Pels, speaking on behalf of England Boxing, emphasized the event’s importance for the future of the sport, calling it a "game-changer" that aligns with the organization’s goals of unifying international governing bodies and inspiring the next generation of boxers.
Since its launch in April 2023, World Boxing has worked to ensure boxing remains part of the Olympic movement, with the organization’s membership expected to grow significantly by the time of the 2025 championships.
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