Belfast has been named as the host city for next year's European Schoolboy/Schoolgirl Boxing Championships.
The major competition was confirmed on Saturday afternoon at Corpus Christi Boxing Club on the Whiterock Road.
It will be the first time Belfast has hosted an international boxing tournament since 2001 when the World Championships were held in the city.
That competition featured future world champions Guillermo Rigondeaux, David Haye and Carl Froch, and it is hoped next year's event will shine a spotlight on more young boxing stars.
The European Schoolboy/Schoolgirl Championships are expected to be held from June 25 to July 9 next summer at the new Brook Leisure Centre.
Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) president Dominic O’Rourke and Belfast boxing strategy development officer Liam Corr were both in attendance at Saturday's announcement.
Belfast boxing star Michael Conlan and three-time Olympian Paddy Barnes also showed their support.
"It is massive for this city. It is the first time it has come to Belfast and to the north," Corr said.
"Grassroots boxing is the height of what we are doing. So to bring the Europeans to Belfast is huge, and shows what sport in Belfast can attract to the city."
O'Rourke said the tournament - which will be open to 12-13-year-olds from across Europe - would be an "big occasion" for boxing in Ireland, particularly Belfast.
"We had the World Championships in 2001 which were a massive success," h said.
"We want to bring in major events, and this will be stepping stone to possibly the Under 22 Championships and possibly the Elite Championships in two years' time."
Barnes - a former Commonwealth Games gold medal winner - said the championships were a "big coup" for the city.
"This is fantastic news," he said.
"There are so many clubs in Belfast looking to see the best from Europe in their age groups.
"So this will be a brilliant experience for them to see these young boxers up close."
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