World bronze medallist Stephen Kirk of Cairn Lodge has been called into Ireland's team of champions for the international boxing match against France at the National Stadium in Dublin on July 10th. The formidable French squad, which includes no less than nine European qualifiers, will be here in conjunction with the Tour de France.

A second international against the French, confirmed at Saturday's IABA standing committee meeting, has been arranged for Waterford on July 12th. Kirk did not box in this year's national championships and takes the place of Adrian Sheerin at light-heavy. Along with Neil Gough, Kirk has been invited to box in the Goodwill Games in New York later that month.

Belfast has been confirmed as the venue for the world championships in the year 2001. The IABA and the Ulster Sports Council will meet soon for preliminary discussions on the staging of the championships. The much deferred National Junior Championships (under-18) are fixed for September 18th, 25th and October 2nd. Ireland will be hosts to Wales in Limerick on October 27th.

The IABA are requesting funding from the National Sports Council for a full time executive officer to deal with the "excessive work load that has accumulated".