SportsCenter India’s Achint Gupta speaks to Ivan Kohdabaksh, CEO, World Series Boxing on a brand new tournament in 2010.

The Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) says the tournament whose format will be much like that of the Indian Premier League will be held from September, next year. The tournament will feature 12 franchisees based out of participating cities from the three continent of Asia, Europe and America. The organisers have also given guarantees that boxers in the League will still be allowed to compete at the Olympics. This is the AIBA's first attempt to cash in the popularity of the sport. The CEO of the League reveals his inspiration.

AG: This concept of World Series of Boxing. How much is this boxing influenced by the success of IPL?

IK: It surely has influenced from the point of view that IMG has been a partner in IPL. We have tried to adapt the best practice models, which have been the key factors for success in IPL. The franchisee is an old system and is working well in countries like the U.S.A. We have tried to take all the key elements of other franchisee and implement them in World Series of Boxing.

AG: You have announced that the tournament would kick off in September 2010, which is very close to the Commonwealth Games in India. So what would happen if there is a collision of dates or is there a provision to actually avoid any clash of dates with the Commonwealth Games?

IK: The sporting calendar is always very challenging, you have always something going on.Either it is Formula One, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games. So we've tried to choose a period which is least crowded which is interesting for TV, good for the sporting calendar and we will definitely look into it and try to avoid as many clashes as possible.

AG: Can you announce that World Series of Boxing is happening from September,2010?

IK: Yes of course, World Series of Boxing as a company has been registered in Switzerland. We have shareholders in place. We have had the interest for 12 months when the concept was announced for the first time . We did our homework. We created details of the concept and that is now the road towards various other countries where we are going.

AG: Have you started on the franchisee in India or it has been started somewhere else before it now comes to India?

IK: Well, we have today the first presentation and we have been in dialogue with the National Federation of Indian Boxing for sometime. But this is our first detailed presentation. We were already in the U.S.A. We had talks in Europe, I am just coming from Korea to India and I will be coming back to Asia-to China, to Kazakisthan. There is a number of other countries waiting for our presentation.

AG: Have any of the franchisee has been confirmed in countries apart from India?

IK: We have not signed anything but we are giving presentations. We need to evaluate who will be in the World Series of Boxing. We first need to give presentations then we will get feedback and we will make our selection.

AG: Can we expect an Indian company to be the telecasting partner for World Series of boxing or have you had talks with others?

IK: We will give priority to the National Broadcasting Company in India. We will speak and sell the rights in India. That is the priority. Secondly, we will look for Asian and European Broadcasters.

AG: The format of World Series of Boxing is different from Beijing Olympics. For instance, there is no headgear. Why is there a difference from the amateur level in Olympics?

IK: Olympic style boxing is a different kind of boxing. The professional boxing is without headgear, where people see the faces of the boxers. Usually when you start your career and you go from club level to national level and then to amateur level it is more about technique than power. Amateur boxers are younger than professional boxers. There is a difference and we have to make sure that watching boxing is an exciting scene and professional boxing without the headgear what people want to see.

AG: You like the concept of professional boxing but you insist that you can do it as an authentic organisation?

IK: To some extent its true. But infact if you look at any sport at an amateur level there are almost different rules. When you know you are paid and you are practicing your sport on a daily basis, you will be on a different level. We are not doing anything different. In football, basketball you have different levels and if you are good enough to be paid than you step at a professional rank. We are doing something that is sensible and has been done in other sports. In boxing, amateurs aren't professionals. In any other sport, there are no such distinctions.

AG: Do you plan any visit to South Africa during IPL II so you can understand the concept of league based tournament?

IK: Personally, I have a lot of trouble now. IMG is consulting us and working closely with us. There are people working on the IPL and going back and forth on concept. I don't need to personally go to South Africa to watch a game.

AG: Is it because of India that the concept of World Series of boxing is there?

IK: Well, to be honest no .There has been a need for World Series of Boxing globally. Right now big stars of boxing are missing and there is a reason for that. The reason is amateur boxers have not had future careers they wanted to and there is a fragmentation of different International Federations. There was a potential and lack which had to be exploited. All parts of the world have been waiting for this.