THE Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) are hoping to stage the World Senior Boxing Championships in Dublin as part of their 100th birthday celebrations in 2011.

IABA President Dominic O'Rourke confirmed yesterday that they were putting together a substantial bid for the tournament in conjunction with the Government and the Irish Sports Council.

Founded in 1911, the IABA have already outlined their intentions to the president of the World Amateur Boxing Association, Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, when he was a guest at last year's EU Championships at the National Stadium.

And according to O'Rourke, Dr Wu, from Chinese Tapei, was very impressed with their set-up ahead of the 2011 World Championships, which will act as a qualifier for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

O'Rourke said: "It is our dream to hold the World Championships in Dublin in our centenary year and with the continuing support of the Government and the Irish Sports Council I would be confident that that dream will come true.

"Dr Wu was very impressed with our set-up and that can only augur well for what I would describe as a very substantial bid which will be completed over the next few months."