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Updated August 29th, 2021 at 15:32 IST

Roy Jones Jr leads International Boxing Day celebration in Belgrade

The world boxing family came together today on International Boxing Day to celebrate their shared love of the sport with more than 50 National Federations hosting boxing activations and mass participation events.

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The world boxing family came together today on International Boxing Day to celebrate their shared love of the sport with more than 50 National Federations hosting boxing activations and mass participation events.

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) led the celebrations from Belgrade, Serbia - the host of this year's Men's World Championships - with an open-air masterclass run by legendary boxer Roy Jones Jr, exhibition bouts and a boxing show, all held under the theme #BoxingUnites in Belgrade's Republic Square.

Attendees at the events in Belgrade included AIBA ambassadors Roberto Cammarelle, Zeina Nassar and Said Taghmaoui, as well as current boxing stars such as Oleksandr Khyzhniak from Ukraine, Bakhodir Jalolov from Uzbekistan, Albert Batyrgaziev from Russia and Stoyka Zhelyazkova Krasteva from Bulgaria.

Speaking following his masterclass for members of the public Roy Jones Jr said: "I feel good with the achievement. I'm glad I had a great boxing career. I enjoyed all of it. God blessed me to be something spectacular, that I never expected to be something far more than I expected. It's been a beautiful run. I loved it. And I'm grateful to God for all that he gave me."

A number of high-class exhibition bouts with impressive performances from athletes such as Wanderson de Oliviera from Brazil took place shortly after. Boxers faced off in a friendly manner, yet still delivering an unforgettable display of grace and skill.

"The boxing community coming together is beautiful to see. There is unity in boxing. We hope events such as this continue to showcase that, as well as demonstrate what boxing is all about. Everyone here loves our sport and we want nothing more than to see more people get involved."

Meanwhile, over 50 National Federations joined AIBA in celebrating International Boxing Day. Many of them hosted open-air or online training sessions and masterclasses of their own, which were broadcast live on linear channels or digital platforms. Some Federations organised community-based events, such as Czech Republic, who dedicated the day to children by organising a whole day out centred around boxing, for families to enjoy. Nepal's National Federation hosted a mass blood donation event, along with a street-cleaning effort.

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Published August 29th, 2021 at 15:32 IST

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