The WSB is owed by AIBA and is currently the only professional-style boxing competition - without head guards or vests - that allows fighters to retain their Olympic eligibility.

The Leipzig Leopards will be managed by the Leipzig based PR company 4heads-media in close co-operation with the German Boxing Federation (DBV).

Meanwhile, the Mexico City Guerreros re-join the WSB for their second season after strong support from the Mexican Boxing Federation, local authorities and an offer from the host broadcaster in Mexico Televisa Deportes Network.

But the participation of the Mexican Franchise means that the Miami Gallos will no longer compete in season two so as to maintain the 12 franchised team competition format meaning that the Los Angeles Matadors will be the only American team in the event.

"Taking into consideration the strong heritage of boxing and the importance of our sport in Central and South America, it was felt that maintaining a franchise in Mexico was a great opportunity for the continued growth of the WSB," explained WSB chief operating officer Ivan Khodabakhsh.

"WSB Americas investor wanted to have a franchise in a location where the market has a high potential and Mexico offers a much better local support than Miami.

"This decision also reflects the true global character of WSB as a world league, having a Franchise in Mexico, will ensure that for the second season, there will be one Franchise per country."

The 12 franchises have been divided into two groups to ensure that there is a fair regional representation in each group.

Group A features Pohang Poseidons, Dynamo Moscow, Mumbai (the new franchise from India), Dolce & Gabbana Milano Thunder, Astana Arlans and Los Angeles Matadors.

Group B features Paris United, Istanbulls, Baku Fires, Beijing Dragons, Leipzig Leopards and Mexico City Guerreros.

"All of these owners and franchises' own National Boxing Federations and have greatly invested not only financially but also their passion and time to make the WSB and their teams one of the most valuable commodities in the sports business market," said AIBA President and WSB chairman C K Wu.

"We have fully committed to each other to make the WSB very successful by creating a respected competition with very competitive and attractive event productions.

"By witnessing the outcomes of the WSB first season, a strong competitive balance within the competition is clear.


"It is interesting to note that the least invested franchised team [Paris United] won the Team Finals; however, the most invested franchised team failed to produce any individual champion.

"As AIBA and WSB truly believe that the ultimate success in the sport of boxing will only take place by producing the fairest and most transparent scoring inside the ring, our utmost efforts will be given continuously to produce true winners by preventing any possible manipulation in our organisations.

"With the introduction of the new scoring system which greatly improved the Referees and Judges management system, there is absolutely no room for anyone to control the results of the competition from outside of the ring.

"I have always trusted and believed in our new established culture for a transparent, clean and honest organisation and I am very proud of this trend.

"If any outsider tries to ruin this culture by creating rumours and untruth speculations, I am committed to fight until justice prevails.

"On the eve of the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Baku, the National Member Federations and global boxing family are dedicated to achieving the best possible results and to bringing glory to their respective countries.

"In addition, as we are also preparing for the WSB second season which will start soon after the World Championships, all boxers will be evaluated in Baku in order to be potentially recruited for the WSB Franchises."

Season two of the WSB is set to get underway in November this year.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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