Tehran, Dec 27, IRNA - Secretary of Boxing Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that a boxing tournament attended by four countries will open in Tehran on January 5.

The Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA, quoted Fariborz Shams as saying that after the adult boxing team returns from the United States, a tournament will be held for the national boxing team during which they will fight their counterparts from Armenia, Tajikistan and Turkey.

"The Republic of Azerbaijan has indicated its willingness to come, but it has not been finalized yet.

"The tournament will be held on January 5-15, 2008. The date of the matches has been finalized quite recently after boxing teams from the above countries announced that they would take part in the competitions," he said.

Secretary of Boxing Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran further noted that boxers who are to take part in qualifying matches for Beijing Olympics in Thailand will attend the tournament.

"After the tournament, a joint camp will be held attended by all teams and it would be very useful for our national team," he said.

... Payvand News - 12/27/07 ... --