by EZRA STUART

BARBADOS has landed another major boxing punch.

Resulting from the historic hosting of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) Women's Boxing Championships in September, the country will now be the venue for an all-expenses Road To Barbados training camp.

The decision was taken at a meeting of amateur boxing's governing body AIBA, last week in China after president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Barbados (ABAB), Joyce Bowen delivered a comprehensive progress report card to delegates.

As a result, Bowen said 60 boxers and 20 coaches would come to Barbados, two weeks ahead of the championships, which would be staged from September 7 to 19.

She also revealed that there would also be a referees/judges seminar as well as a medical seminar.

"While in China, AIBA was very impressed with our progress, so it was announced that Barbados would be the second country to host the Road To Barbados," she said.

Bowen said Milan was the first city, having hosted the Road To Milan ahead of the Men's World Championships in Italy, last year.

"It is a great honour for us. We are really happy and excited about this. It is going to be a lot of hard work but we are looking forward to it," she said.

"They (boxers) will take part in a 15-day training camp in Barbados - all expenses paid by AIBA. All we have to provide is our national coach (Gary Bowen), who by the way is a three-star coach in AIBA, and a training venue equipped with the necessary things," she said.

The Christ Church Foundation School has been chosen as the training venue.

"This is to assist the lesser developed countries, who cannot afford to send their boxers to the world championships, so AIBA is paying for them to have an intense training programme here for two weeks and after that, they will stay on for the world championships," she pointed out.

"The best ones coming out of that will take part in the world championships. This will also give our female boxers an opportunity to train along with these female boxers," added Bowen.

Bowen also said the mascot, which was designed by national judo coach Ian Weithers, was also unveiled in China and delegates said it was the best they had ever seen.

Legendary entertainer Mighty Gabby has composed the championship jingle, while the logo for the championship is to be approved by AIBA.

ABAB's vice-president Vincent Carter is the chairman of the local organising committee, while various sub-committees have already started holding meetings under their respective chairpersons.