3 nations try for men's boxing worlds

The tiny South Pacific island of Vanuatu is competing with Russia and Qatar to host the 2015 men's world boxing championships.

The sport's amateur governing body, known as AIBA, says they are among five countries expressing interest in hosting the event. It's a qualifier for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

AIBA says Thailand and Venezuela also want to stage the tournament.

Bidders will present their case to the governing body's executive committee in July. AIBA says boxers winning each of the 10 men's weight categories will qualify for the Rio Olympics.

The women's world boxing championships will be held in 2014 in Canada.