WBA Asia Convention Kicks Off in Suzhou – World Boxing Association

WBA Asia will host its second Annual Convention at the Shangri-La Hotel in Suzhou, China, running from September 3 to 5, in what promises to be a landmark gathering filled with surprises.

After last year’s successful debut convention in Vietnam, the stage now shifts to China—one of the continent’s giants and a close ally of the organization.

The growth of WBA Asia has been steady in recent years. To date, the region has sanctioned more than 30 regional title fights, and that figure is projected to surpass 40 by the end of September.

The regional office has also expanded its reach, staging events consistently in countries such as Pakistan and India, while breaking new ground in Mongolia with a major show last year. Beyond that, WBA Asia has maintained a presence in Russia, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Tajikistan, and more.

This convention is part of the WBA Regional Development Plan, one of the cornerstones of President Gilberto Jesús Mendoza’s leadership. The mission to take boxing global is already bearing fruit, opening opportunities for fighters from territories once considered outside the sport’s traditional hotbeds. In 2024 alone, more than 300 regional title fights were sanctioned, a number expected to be surpassed in 2025, with over 600 athletes in action.

The regional convention program also drives initiatives like the WBA Academy, WBA Kids, and WBA Future, while fostering direct exchanges between WBA leadership and local boxing stakeholders.

In Suzhou, President Gilberto Mendoza and members of the WBA Board will join WBA Asia Director Won Kim for what is set to be the premier gathering of Asian boxing. China, considered a strategic hub for the region, takes center stage. Also attending will be Ferlin Marsh, Director of WBA Oceania, another region of growing significance within the WBA structure.

So far this year, the WBA has already staged two other successful regional conventions—WBA Europe in Madrid, Spain, and WBA Fedelatin in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Now, it’s Asia’s turn to take the spotlight.