80th Layton Cup Boxing commences today

The 80th Layton Cup Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championship conducted by the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) will commence at the Royal MAS Arena Stadium today. Boxing will commence at 2.00 p.m. on each day while the finals will start at 11.00am on the final day of the competition on Saturday. This is the first major boxing tournament being held after a lapse of two years since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 79th Layton Cup was held in August 2019 with Army’s M.P.G. Sajeewa Nuwan being presented the coveted Layton Cup awarded to the Best Boxer of the meet while K.A.K. Hansika of Unichela was adjudged the women’s Best Boxer. Sajeewa Nuwan went on to win a bronze medal at the 58th World Military Boxing Championships in Russia last year.

Over 100 boxers representing 14 clubs are expected to take part in this tournament which will serve as the second trial to select Sri Lanka boxers for 2022 Commonwealth Games. The first selection trial was held in December 2021.

Another significant feature of the meet will be the introduction of new weight classes introduced by the world governing body IBA (International Boxing Association). There will be 13 weight categories for men and 12 for women pugilists. Dian Gomes the President of Boxing Association of Sri Lanka will grace the finals as the Chief Guest.