Some 500 athletes from 100 different countries will take part in the 2009 world boxing championships here from August 28 to September 13 of next year.
Boxers will be competing in 11 different categories in around 500 bouts organized by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
''I was in Rome for the 1983 boxing World Cup and I saw how important this sport was for your country,'' AIBA chairman Ching-Kwo Wu said Tuesday during a press conference to present next year's event.
''Last October, the AIBA decided unanimously to stage the 15th world championships in Milan. Your city is one of culture, sport and fashion and I'm sure many wives convinced their husbands to vote for Milan,'' he added.
''It is a very good moment for boxing and this event will be an excellent occasion to restore this sport to its proper place, after years of indifference,'' observed the chairman of the local organizing committee, Andrea Locatelli
Italy won four medals at the last world championships in Chicago and six Italians have qualified for this summer's Olympics in China.
A joint statement from the region of Lombardy and the city and province of Milan said that ''thanks to teamwork between local institutions, which has already resulted in Milan being chosen to host the 2015 World's Fair and to be named European Capital for Sport 2009, our latest success will allow this noble art to return to Italy for the first time since the 1960 Rome Olympics''.
Organizers said they plan to stage a number of events related to boxing during the world championships, including a film festival, an exhibition and initiatives aimed at children.
