Women's boxing World Championship to take place in December, in Istanbul

The women's World Boxing Championship will take place in Istanbul, Turkey, in early December, AIBA announced on Saturday.

AIBA president Umar Kremlev said in a statement, "I am glad to announce that the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships will be held here in Istanbul. Turkey is a big boxing country and has a rich history. I would like to thank all Turkish authorities as President of the country, Prime Minister, Minister of Sports, Deputy Minister of Sports of Turkey, Head of the Istanbul Sports Department, the Turkish Boxing Federation, and others for support.

"AIBA is rapidly changing, we are on the way to big reform. We are doing a lot of work for the sake of National Federations; a large program of assistance and financial support is implemented. We allocate budget and sports equipment, communicate with NFs directly. We will protect our boxers and coaches in every country of the world, AIBA is their home," he said.

Kremlev also announced the same prize money for the women and men boxers.

"Gender equality is one of our main goals in the sport of boxing. I am happy to confirm that prize money for the medalists will be exactly the same as for Men's World Championships. For the first time in AIBA's 75-year history, medal winners will be rewarded with significant prize money from AIBA. The prize money fund has been set at $2,4 million USD for 12 weight categories. The prize for first place is $100 000 USD. Silver medalists receive $50 000 USD, and both bronzes in each weight category receive $25 000 USD," Kremlev added.

The dates are yet to be finalised for the women's event but, the men's World Championship will take place in Serbia, Belgrade from October 24-November 6.