Boxing: Seedings criticism is 'a cheap shot'

Amateur boxing's world governing body the AIBA have hit back at criticism of their seeding system for the World Championships in Azerbaijan, describing media "insinuations" as a "cheap shot".

All nine Azeri boxers have been given a top-eight seeding for the competition, in which fighters at all weights bar heavyweight and super-heavyweight are guaranteed Olympic places if they reach the quarter-finals.

The host seeding rules were only introduced at an AIBA congress last month, raising allegations of favouritism.

PA