MUMBAI: International boxing association?s professional boxing league has entered the South American market with the signing up of Argentina as the new franchisee.

Aiba president and WSB board chairman Dr Ching-Kuo Wu and Argentinean Boxing Federation president Osvaldo Bisbal Monday signed a WSB franchise agreement for Argentina, thus giving birth to a new franchise and establishing the principles of the country?s involvement in the upcoming Aiba Professional Boxing (APB) program.

"This is a historic moment for the WSB that arrives for the very first time in South America," stated Dr Wu. "We are delighted to explore this new market and are very grateful to the Argentinean Boxing Federation for its support to our programs. We are convinced that both the WSB and APB have a bright future in this country."

Dr Wu also took the opportunity to meet with the National Olympic Committee President Gerardo Werthein, who had expressed a keen interest in supporting both the WSB and the development of the sport of boxing in Argentina.

"Only the very best boxers should go to the Olympic Games and the WSB and APB will prepare the world?s top boxers for that.?

The Argentinean WSB Franchise will enter the competition for the upcoming 2012-2013 season while APB will begin in the fall of 2013.

The WSB has 12 teams spread across three continents including one from India in the form of Venky?s Mumbai Fighters, which is owned by Mumbai-based sports management company TransStadia headed by Udit Sheth.