World Boxing Council News
From WBC President José Sulaimán:
I regret to inform of a day of mourning for the boxing family for the passing away in Karachi of Anwar Chowdri of Pakistan, the former President of AIBA. His wife and family were at his side when he passed away.
Mr. Chowdri was a fine friend of the WBC, with whom AIBA had signed a mutual medical agreement during the annual WBC convention held in Moscow, Russia, in 1999.
Mr. Chowdri held the presidency of AIBA for about 25 years and was a real leader of amateur boxing in the world. His leadership was the basis for enjoying a solid support from the affiliated nations for the dedication of his life to AIBA and amateur boxing, making loyalty and gratitude to his institution and his friends, the most sacred behavior of his life. May he rest in everlasting peace.
PUBLIC INVITED TO WORLD PREMIERE OF MAJOR NEW BOXING MOVIE
In a break from tradition, members of the public will be able to join celebrities and the stars of film, television and the boxing ring at the World Premiere of the Welsh-made film Risen, about the inspiring life of Welsh World Boxing Champion Howard Winstone.
The highest profile World Premiere ever to be held in Wales, and one of the largest-ever attended film premieres in the world, the event opens a major 3-day international boxing festival being held in Cardiff from 29-31 July. Supported by Cardiff City Council, and in part by the Welsh Assembly Government, the Festival will be attended by dozens of the greatest names in boxing history, and modern-day stars like David Haye and Vitali Klitschko.
Directed by award-winning Merthyr-based filmmaker Neil Jones, Risen stars John Noble (from cult TV series ‘Fringe’), Shane Ritchie, and the largest number of World Champion boxers ever gathered-together in one film, playing a wide range of lead and cameo roles. The champions in the film are: Erik Morales, Tim Witherspoon, Leon Spinks, John H. Stracey, Richie Woodhall, Glenn Catley, Enzo Maccarinelli, Alan Minter, Steve Robinson, Jane Couch, Robin Reid and Junior Witter.
Stuart Brennan, the actor who plays the lead role of Howard Winstone, trained for 5 years for the role, and reached a standard of fitness and technique which many world champions admired, recommending he turn professional and properly challenge for a world boxing title!
Event organiser Kevin Hayde said: “The whole Festival is being designed to be as accessible to ordinary people as possible, with low ticket prices and opportunities for fans to meet champion boxers. The film premiere is an important start to celebrating the heritage and camaraderie of the Welsh and global Boxing communities.
“It’s been said by the BBC that this will be one the great boxing films. We want everyone to come show their support for Wales, for contemporary Welsh culture, and for a Welsh legend, as Wales hosts the World in one of the greatest extravaganzas that the sport of boxing has ever seen.”
The film’s Director, Neil Jones, who’s preparing to shoot his next feature film in Wales in November, commented: “As a Merthyr-boy I grew up on the inspirational stories of Howard Winstone, and it has been a privilege to have the opportunity to make the film of his life, to do most of the filming in Merthyr, and to launch it so spectacularly before an international and boxing audience.
“Everyone should know the boxing ring scenes are real, with no punches pulled, and we have a stellar line-up of boxers playing some of their own childhood heroes.”
The World Premiere of Risen will be held at the Cardiff International Arena on Thursday, 29 July, 2010. For those people wanting to join celebrities and boxing stars, tickets are available from the CIA box office or at the WBC Night of Champions festival website www.wbcnightofchampions.com
Proceeds from the World Premiere and the Festival will be going to two charities: Noah’s Ark, supporting the children’s hospital, and WBC Sporting Chances, a long-term legacy project to support disadvantaged youth and the rehabilitation of young offenders in South Wales.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The core of the 3-day Festival comprises:
World Premiere of Welsh-made film ‘Risen’ about the life of World and Welsh boxing legend, Howard Winstone – the inspiring story of the Merthyr man who rose above the odds to win a World Boxing Championship
An official pre-Olympic tournament between Team GB versus the Rest of the World
The WBC’s ‘Night of Champions’ Gala Awards Dinner
2. All these events will be held at the Cardiff International Arena, and tickets are now on sale.
3. Tickets for all 3 evenings of the Festival can be purchased from:
Ticketmaster tel: 0844 999 999
Cardiff International Arena Box Office tel: 029 2022 4488
St David’s Sport & Stage tel: 029 2023 4567
4. Details on each element of the Festival can be found online at www.wbcnightofchampions.com
5. The WBC Night of Champions International Boxing Festival is supported by Cardiff City Council, with Welsh Assembly Government support for the Team GB tournament.
6. To find out more about things to do and see in Cardiff, visit www.visitcardiff.com, or to book accommodation, go to www.conferencebookings.co.uk (quote ref CDFWBC2010)
7. All ‘Night of Champions’ press and media enquiries to:
Roy Payne tel: 029 2023 4567 or 07900 243007
email: roy@wbcnightofchampions.com
Sam Holland tel: 029 2023 4567 or 07854 147438
email: sam@wbcnightofchampions.com
Press and media enquiries about the film ‘Risen’:
Neil Jones tel: 078900 71580
email: neiljones@burnhandfilms.com