World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) has announced its first ever tournament for women’s boxing.
The WBSS Women’s Super-Featherweight, the sixth edition and third season of WBSS since September 2017, will see one woman from one weight class raise the coveted Muhammad Ali Trophy.
Andreas Benz, CEO of WBSS, says the tournament will provide a “worthy stage” for the world’s top women boxers. He added: “In season one and two we delivered the best tournaments in men’s boxing, but it was always our dream to not only deliver the best tournament in men’s boxing but to prepare a worthy stage for women’s boxing and support these fantastic fighters, too. Now it’s time to realise it.
“It will be much more than the greatest women’s boxing tournament. We plan to strategically help to broaden women’s boxing, both at the grassroots and elite level, and develop a professional environment where talents and profiles can grow and legacies are born.
“As always, the WBSS will do everything to deliver the best fights and productions possible and we are dedicated to entertaining boxing fans around the globe. We can’t wait to turn the lights back on.”
Kalle Sauerland, WBSS chief boxing officer, said: “It’s been something we have talked about since our inauguration. The sport is an amazing place. Competition is hotter than ever. The super featherweights we feel is a division that has such depth and also allows those in the divisions around it to take part. We feel that this is the time, the right time, women’s boxing has never been this good. We are looking forward to a spectacular season.
“Women’s boxing goes back to a time where it was banned to times where it was non-existing is a male-dominated sport. It goes back to fighting for places on cards to get any sort of attention.
“I remember the first world title fight I promoted for Cecilia Brækhus two decades ago. It took place on an undercard. Cecilia went on to unify the sport and became a headliner in her own right, a national hero, a global ambassador for the sport.”
The eight fighters and schedule for the WBBS Women’s Super-Featherweight tournament will be announced in due course. Fighters will compete in quarter-finals, semi-finals and then a final.