TICKETS for one of the sporting highlights of Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture year are on sale now.

The city is to stage the European Senior Boxing Championships 2008 from November 6 to November 15 – the first major post-Beijing Olympics tournament. It will also be the first time the prestigious annual championships, now in its 40th year, are staged in the UK.

David Price, Liverpool super heavyweight boxer and Captain of the GB Beijing Olympics boxing squad, gave the event an immediate boost by pledging to be there in November.

David, a Beijing gold medal hopeful and 2006 Commonwealth champion, said: “It’s fantastic for Liverpool to be staging these championships and I will definitely be there – and maybe as a competitor.’’ The 25-year-old, who is employed by Liverpool City Council, in the country’s only local authority elite sporting scholarship programme, added: “Liverpool has given so much to the sport by producing so many great champions and coaches to the many international tournaments it stages.

“I’m sure the atmosphere for these finals, with numerous Olympic champions and medallists competing, will be extra special.’’ The 2008 European Boxing Championships will be staged by the Amateur Boxing Association of England, in partnership with Liverpool City Council and the European Amateur Boxing Association, supported by UK Sport and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Liverpool secured the championships after developing an unrivalled track record in hosting tournaments such as the Four Nations and the World Cadet Championships to high profile English internationals with the USA, Canada, Russia and Cuba.

The city also currently boasts more boxers involved with the current England and Great Britain squads than any other in the UK, including London.

Councillor Warren Bradley, Liverpool City Council Leader, whose great-grandfather Ike was the first Liverpudlian to fight for a world title in the city, said: “Liverpool’s passion for boxing is legendary and the city has always been committed to developing the sport and giving it the platform it deserves.

“Hopefully our boxers will taste glory and put the icing on the cake.”

To book tickets log on to accliverpool.com or call the Echo Arena box office on 0844 8000 400.

Tickets are priced £15 for adults and £10 concessions.

A season ticket covering all preliminary, semi final and finals sessions at the venue is also available at £80 for adults and £40 for concessions.