The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that the European qualifiers for Tokyo 2020 will be hosted at the Copper Box in London next March.
The final world qualifier will be held in Paris next May.
286 boxers – 186 males and 100 females – will compete across eight weights for men and five for women at Tokyo 2020.
Japan is entitled to six places at the Games as the host nation while a number of invitation places will be distributed through the Tripartite Commission. The remaining berths will be claimed the hard way, in the ring.
Meantime, Irish boxing is on familiar terms with winning medals at the Tokyo Olympics as legendary Belfast lightweight Jim McCourt claimed bronze at the 18th Olympiad in the city in 1964.
The Immaculata BC man, who has been inducted into the IABA Hall of Fame, was Ireland’s only medal winner in any sport at Tokyo 1964 where Smokin’ Joe Frazier won gold for the USA.
The IOC will run boxing at Tokyo 2020 and the qualifiers for the 32nd Olympiad.
Roads to Tokyo 2020.
Asia/ Oceania qualifier
Location: Wuhan (CHN) Date: 2 to 15 February 2020
Africa qualifier
Location: Dakar International Conference Centre, Dakar (SEN) Date: 18 February to 1 March 2020
Europe qualifier
Location: Copper Box, London (GBR) Date: 11 to 24 March 2020
Americas qualifier
Location: CENARD, Buenos Aires (ARG) Date: 24 March to 5 April 2020
World Qualification Event
Location: Paris (FRA) Date: 11 to 25 May 2020
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