HKBA faces a long and difficult bout

THE Hong Kong Boxing Association has a long way to go before professional boxing can be introduced to the territory according to former HKBA president Antonio Martinez.

Martinez, who now acts as a supervisor of the World Boxing Council, retired from the HKBA in 1981 after seven years of service.

He said professional boxing in the territory had been a long-time dream of his and he believed Hong Kong could soon become a venue for international fights if the HKBA get their act into order.

Being surrounded by such famous Asian boxing countries as the Philippines, South Korea, Japan and Thailand, Martinez said he could see no reason why Hong Kong could not attract quality fighters.

According to Martinez, the sport's main obstacle locally is a lack of facilities. ''Although government financial support for the HKBA has increased, there is still a lack of facilities.'' He added that there should be more incentives for local boxers: ''There should be more competitions for the boxers or they will lose their interest in the sport.''