About 50 boxers from as far apart as Sweden, Indian and Kazakhstan are at the English Institute of Sport (EISS)in Sheffield for the week-long event.

During the week the teams will be put through their paces before going into the ring to represent their countries.

Organisers said the venue would also be available for future Olympic hopefuls.

'Exceptional' venue

Lorenzo Clark, director of operations at Sheffield International Venues, said the event was another step in the city's plan to generate and support potential future medal winners for 2012.

"The international squads are coming into EISS because of the excellent facilities we offer.

"It's an exceptional venue and other countries are talking to us to use the facilities in the build up to Beijing and beyond to 2012."

City councillor Tim Rippon said: "The city is now playing a major role in creating a world class development and training environment for amateur boxers and is already home to the Amateur Boxing Association of England.

"Hosting training camps helps raise the profile of the city internationally and will help with our bid to host teams in the run up to the Olympics."