A total of 596 athletes from 73 countries are competing for titles, with the IBA claiming it helped nine nations - and consequently 52 athletes - to participate in Spain.

Boxers from Venezuela, Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago, Bolivia, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Cameroon, Palestine and Estonia were helped in getting to Spain.

IBA President Umar Kremlev staged three meetings prior to the start of the event with athletes, coaches and then referees and judges.

He used the time to call on young boxers to do their best at the competition and also galvanise their fighting spirit into boxing's battle to remain an Olympic sport.

Boxers from Russia and Belarus are absent owing to what the IBA called "logistical restraints", despite it now allowing both nations' flags to fly at its tournaments.

Some countries have threatened to boycott events where Russians and Belarusians compete.

"You are our future," Russian official Kremlev told athletes.

"Fight here like never before to achieve your dreams.

"We will do our best to continue creating conditions for your further development."

He continued: "Coaches and boxers are the main values of IBA, together with the National Federations.

"If there were no coaches, there would be no athletes and no boxing at all.

"I am here to help all of you.

"We cleaned our sport and saved the organisation from bankruptcy.

"Now, we shouldn't be silent, we should fight for our rights.

"If we don't speak up, there will be no boxing at the Olympics.

"We shouldn't be afraid to prevent this crime."

The Opening Ceremony was staged today at the Ciudad Deportiva Camilo Cano arena, with American Olympic silver medallist Roy Jones Jr performing a catalogue of music.

The competition is set to last until November 26.