During season one, the Pohang Poseidons staged their home matches in the South Korean capital Seoul but the move to Bangkok is aimed to help raised the global profile of the franchise and the WSB as a whole which is currently the only professional boxing competition that allows amateur boxers to retain their Olympic eligibility despite featuring professional-style scoring with three judges and no head guards or vests.

"We are happy to launch the WSB in Thailand, a country with a great heritage in boxing, and we look forward to an exciting new challenge in the development of our sport," said AIBA President and WSB chairman CK Wu.

"This hugely positive association with Bangkok will introduce WSB to a whole new audience, increasing the reach of this popular new sporting format in a move that will benefit not only the region but boxing fans around the world.

"Pohang Poseidons was a great servant during the inaugural season of WSB and it was of great benefit to have them on board in what proved an extremely successful year.

"WSB and AIBA would like to personally thank the management team and all their staff for their contribution to a spectacular show."

Season two of the WSB competition is due to start on November 11 and will have a new look format with 12 teams divided into two groups of six.

Group A will feature Pohang Poseidons, Dynamo Moscow, Dolce & Gabbana Milano Thunder, Astana Arlans, Mumbai Fighters and Los Angeles Matadors.

Meanwhile Group B features defending team champions Paris United, Istanbulls, Baku Fires, Beijing Dragons, Leipzig Leopards and Mexico City Guerreros.

Indian franchise the Mumbai Fighters and the German franchise the Leipzig Leopards will be making their WSB debut in season two which Wu predicts will build on the success of the first season which saw Paris United with a hard-fought win in the final against the Astana Arlans in Guiyang, China, in May this year.

"The interest generated in WSB has been immense and we are extremely excited not only to have a new Franchise in Bangkok but also to have the Mumbai Fighters and the Leipzig Leopards join this fantastic project," said Wu.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2011: World Series of Boxing set to be streamed live on the internet through new YouTube channel WSB TV
September 2011: Indian World Series of Boxing franchise named Mumbai Fighters
September 2011: Leipzig Leopards set to compete in World Series of Boxing while Mexico City Guerreros return
July 2011: New look for World Series of Boxing in second season
May 2011: Derevyanchenko and Benchabla add names to WSB roll of honour