Santo Domingo.– Dominican boxers and fighters from 41 national teams are participating in the World Junior Boxing Championship which started today in Yerevan, Armenia.

Eight national teams that previously applied to be included in the tournament, did not attend: Venezuela, Tunis, Check Republic, Slovakia, Nigeria, Mongolia, Ghana and Botswana.Other teams, such as Mexico, Argentina, Wales, Turkmenistan refused to participate.

In other news, some Internet sites point out that over the past decade, Dominican boxing has been immersed in a crisis that has seen boxers immigrate to the Unites States, few attractive new figures and scarce attendance to uninspiring boxing cards.

But the panorama may change as a slew of former amateur stars have been allowed to turn pro and provide promoters with the new blood needed to bring the fans back to boxing shows.

Last year 15 top amateur boxers have joined the pro ranks to the delight of boxing Commissioner Franklin Nunez. “We have improved our relations with the Amateur Federation and we are now working hand in hand,” says Nunez, “and we have provided incentives for our local promoters.”

Among the prospects who are making a name for themselves, are exciting welterweight Melvin Betancourt (8-0, 6 KOs), recently elected Novice of Year 2008, explosive featherweight Jenifel Vicente (11-0-2, 7 KOs), slick bantamweight Geysi Lorenzo (9-0, 2 KOs), former amateur lightweight standout Javier Fortuna (2-0, 2 KOs), just to name a few.