BBC to screen inaugural GB Amateur Boxing Championships

Simon Vallily (right) won gold for England at the Commonwealth Games

The inaugural GB Amateur Boxing Championships will be shown live on the BBC, with competitive women's boxing broadcast for the first time.

The finals will be broadcast from Liverpool's Echo Arena on 13 November.

It will pit the best amateurs from Scotland, England and Wales against members of GB's elite Olympic squad.

The intention is to create an opportunity for those not currently in the squad to force their way into contention for the 2012 Games.

The finals of the Championship will be broadcast live on the BBC Red Button with a highlights package on BBC Two the following day.

Claire Stocks, BBC Sport's Olympics sports editor, said: "We hope that sports fans will enjoy the chance to watch live amateur boxing on the BBC and get behind our Olympic hopefuls.

"The depth of talent is great amongst the men, who won 11 medals at the Commonwealth Games, including three golds for England's Simon Vallily and Tom Stalker and Scotland's Callum Johnson, as well as five medals at the recent European Championships.

"And the promise of our women, two of whom won silver medals at the women's world championships in June, bodes well for the 2012 Olympics and beyond."

News of the deal was welcomed by the BBC amateur boxing summariser, former Olympic bronze medallist and WBC super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall.

Woodhall, who is also a coaching consultant to GB Boxing, said: "This is great news for boxing and great news for sport on the BBC.

"It will be a chance for the wider public to witness the talent that exists in Great Britain and get a first chance to watch some of the athletes they will be cheering on when the Olympics get under way in 2012."

Commentary will come from Jim Neilly and Woodhall with Steve Bunce providing punditry.