International Boxing Association (AIBA) President C K Wu claimed the Arena, built for this year's men's World Handball Championships, was set to be the best ever in the 41-year history of the event, which was first held in Havana in 1974.  

“This is my second time to the venue after I visited Doha and the venue during the Handball World Championships,” Wu said at the conclusion of AIBA Executive Committee meeting in the Qatari capital.

“I am an architect by profession and I can say that the design, the construction, the materials used, etc. are very good.

"Also, I had visited almost six months ago and when I visited this time round, I could see that the venue has also been maintained really well.

“I can say that this is the best venue for AIBA World Championships so far.”

A test event for the World Championships - the Doha International Boxing Tournament - was hosted in May at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena, featuring 71 boxers from 12 countries.

The World Championships, due to take place between October 5 and 15, is set to have 260 boxers competing. 

As many as 23 Olympic qualifying places for Rio 2016 could be available at the Championships. 

Yesterday marked 90 days until the start of the event.

An inspection team from AIBA is due to make a final visit to Doha next month to confirm that everything is on course. 

“I want assure the AIBA President, the Executive Committee and the media that the venue is ready," Qatar Boxing Federation President Yusuf Ali al-Kazim said. 

"Also accommodation wise, we have all the right hotels.

"Transport has been taken care of.

"We are only waiting for the name of the boxers so that we can issue visas to them.”

The Championships is also due to see the launch of a new programme, "HeadsUp!", which is designed to ensure boxers are aware of recent changes to the sport, including the removal of headguards. 

“Boxer’s health is a key priority for the International Boxing Association," said Karim Bouzidi, executive director of AIBA. 

"The decision to remove headguards for all AIBA elite competitions was made following the vast number of studies on the boxers’ safety.

"However, it is very important to continue educate our athletes and officials on the benefits of this rule change and this is why AIBA is going to launch ‘Heads Up!” campaign."

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