BOXING: AMATEUR BOXING body AIBA rejected criticism of the seeding system for the world championships in Azerbaijan yesterday and accused critics of landing a "cheap shot" and lacking understanding of the rules.

All nine Azeri boxers in the championships, which serve as qualifiers for the London 2012 Olympics, are seeded in their weight divisions under a system introduced last month.

The decision means some boxers are seeded above their world rankings and should have an easier passage than normal to the medal rounds.

“AIBA objects to the insinuations contained in recent media reports that changes . . . in relation to the seeding of boxers at the World Championships were introduced for any improper purpose,” AIBA said in a statement.

“The insinuations are nothing more than a cheap shot and demonstrate unfamiliarity with the rules, structure and ethos of AIBA and AIBA competitions.”

The draw has fuelled further controversy after the BBC last week aired allegations, strongly denied by AIBA, that Azerbaijan was promised two gold medals at the Olympics in exchange for a €6.6 million loan to World Series Boxing run under the auspices of AIBA.

British MP Damian Collins has called for the International Olympic Committee to ensure all competitors in London next year are there on merit.

AIBA has promised to set up an investigation committee into the allegations.

The world body, which emphasised its “zero tolerance attitude to corruption”, declared in an initial statement the new seeding practice brought the world championships into line with the Olympic boxing tournament and other Olympic sports.

However, after saying Britain would have six seeds automatically at the Olympics as host nation of London 2012, they later recognised that was not the case.

“The explanation should have referred to the quota system rather than the seeding system,” AIBA said in a revised statement.

AIBA added that the rule change was introduced to encourage countries “which might not otherwise consider hosting the AIBA World Championships, to host this prestigious event”.

This year’s world championships had been scheduled for Busan, South Korea, but were switched to Azerbaijan last year.

“The practice of automatic seeding and qualification for host countries is widespread across international sport,” AIBA said.

BAKU BOUTS: Sheehan next up for Ireland today

ROY Sheehan will continue Ireland's campaign at the World Championships and Olympic qualifiers with a last-64 bout in Baku, Azerbaijan, this afternoon, reports Bernard O'Neill.

The St Michael’s, Athy, welterweight, a gold medal winner at the 2007 EU Championships, will be in the ring between noon and 1pm (Irish time) versus Carl Hield of the Bahamas.

European Light-welterweight Ray Moylette will be in action tomorrow, followed by Darren O’Neill and David Oliver Joyce on Saturday.

Michael Conlon, European light-heavyweight champion Joe Ward and Con Sheehan will be between the ropes on Sunday, followed by Paddy Barnes, John Joe Nevin and Ken Egan on Monday.