CES Boxing featherweight Iman Lee (12-0, 8 KOs) has been selected to compete in the WBC Grand Prix, a single-elimination tournament set to begin this week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and televised live worldwide on DAZN. "This is a fantastic opportunity for Iman," said CES Boxing Founder Jimmy Burchfield, Sr.  "This young man has the talent, the character and the skills to go all the way in this tournament.  The sky's the limit if he can bring home the trophy."  The 25-year old from Yonkers, NY is among the field of 32 featherweights, mostly under 26, chosen to compete in the global boxing showcase. 

 

"We knew just before my last fight, so I had about 2 to 3 months’ notice," said Lee, who stopped Bernardo Uribe in four rounds on February 22nd.  "I don’t know who we’re fighting yet.  I believe we’ll find out when we get there, so we’re just preparing for any style." 

 

The world cup style tournament features 128 boxers from 41 countries competing across four weight divisions: heavyweight, middleweight, junior welterweight and featherweight. "To be chosen as one of the 32 fighters in my division out of the entire world is an honor," states Lee from his training camp at Champs Gym in New Rochelle, NY.  "But I’m not just here to participate.  I’m coming to win." 

 

The tournament will unfold in 4 segments throughout the year, with the first phase taking place this week from April 17-20.  64 six-round fights will take place over four days, with the winners moving on to fight again in June, August and October, culminating in a Grand Finale in December.   

 

"We are bringing to life a tournament that will revolutionize the sport and unearth incredible new talent," said WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, who added that the rules include open scoring and instant replay to ensure transparency and fairness. "This is the first ever event in which the young talents are going to have the opportunity to come out from unknown parts of the world to shine through the Grand Prix." 

 

When asked whether he would be ready to face the division’s best after the tourney, Lee did not hesitate: "If all goes well, we’re ready to compete for a world title."

 

With only six rounds to make a statement and no margin for error, every bout in Riyadh could be career defining. For Lee, the path to championship greatness begins on April 17th.