By Zhenyu Li

Six decades ago, when Chairman Mao declared that the Chinese people have stood up, it marked a whole new chapter in the nation's 5000-year history and the beginning of change.

Six decades later, with the reform of the systematic innovation and opening-up policy, Chinese people stand tall and firm.

While other economic superpowers barely squeak through the recession, China has recorded significant GDP growth and is on the verge of taking Japan over as the world's second largest economy in the coming years.

China's global influence is not only on the economic sphere, but showcased through its growing soft power as well, even in its traditional weak spot, the sweet science of boxing.

One of the four major boxing sanctioning bodies, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) sends its cordial wishes from overseas when people of over one quarter of the world's population hail the 60th birthday of New China today.

"Congratulations to all of the people of China on the anniversary of the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China!" WBO vice president John P. Duggan voiced his celebration to this journalist via e-mail.

"Throughout history, China has been the center of scholarship, culture, scientific development, and the garden of the world. China is now a leader in technology, industry and finance as well," he wrote.

The ancient eastern nation is known for many things, the legendary pioneers of unfathomable philosophies, the occult Chinese Kung Fu, the rich flavored Chinese cuisine, the ornate chinaware... you name it, however it was seldomly seen the words "boxing" and "China" in one sentence, until recently.

As much as in the same neighborhood of time in Beijing, the Eastern Dragon smashed the triopoly of Cuba, Russia and the United States, any of whom had ruled the tally table in boxing at every Olympics since 1942. With two golds, one silver and one bronze, China emerged as the new king in the amateur boxing world.

Unlike amateur, professional boxing in China is still at its infancy, but will be experiencing its major shift, as China's first ever boxing league tournament, namely the Chinese Boxing Association (CBA for short), which should mostly be operated under the market regulations, is to be launched next year in April.

"The World Boxing Organization is very pleased that China has undertaken professional boxing again," Duggan wrote. "Sports is another important way that people and cultures can come together and increase affection, esteem, and understanding of each other."

Following last year's hugely successful performances by the Chinese boxers in the Olympic ring, the Chinese Boxing Association is set to keep its triumphant momentum going and tap into the virgin land of domestic boxing market.

"We (the Chinese national boxing team) are now a world-class strong force," Jianping Chang, the president of the Chinese Boxing Association said to this journalist. "The boxing league, to be held next April, would be marketed and commercialized in a business model just like those of the super league matches of football in China and Chinese Basketball Association (CBA)."

He expects it to have a decent commercial future.

"Based on some well-grounded facts, the sport of boxing is relative sought-after among Chinese people," Chang said. "A number of potential business partners have shown adequate interests in next year's boxing tournament. It's fair to say that the league will have a promising future."

Bob Arum, Don King and Oscar De La Hoya, the world's three top-notch boxing promoters had all publically expressed their keen interests in China.

The legendary promoter Don King brought the WBC World Boxing Championship Fights to Chengdu, China last November, which are the highest-profile boxing cards China has ever staged.

Bob Arum, currently the No. 1 boxing promoter in the world sent his good wishes to this journalist from America on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, saying: "Congratulations! May the coming years continue to foster the bonds of friendship between the people of China and the United States."

Apart from Bob Arum, Joe Cortez, one of the all-time great boxing referees also voiced his celebrations to this journalist one day prior to the New China's 60th birthday.

"I'm so happy to see that China's boxing has improved so much for the past years. I would be very pleased to lend a hand to China's boxing enterprise for the near future," the Hall of Fame boxing referee wrote.

China's boxing has stood up and, in the real sense, caught global attention! 

 

Zhenyu Li is a bilingual sports/culture columnist for People's Daily and a member of the International Boxing Research Organization. His agent can be reached at sunboxing@gmail.com .