Buenos Aires, Mar 12 (IANS): The American Boxing Confederation's (AMBC) Olympic Qualifier got under way here and will finish on March 19 in Buenos Aires.

On Friday morning, the weigh-ins and official draw took place in the Panamericano Hotel in Buenos Aires, while the first competitions began in the afternoon in Frers Pavillion, inside the La Rural Convention Center, located in the Palermo neighbourhood, reports Xinhua.

The tournament will grant 30 tickets for Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games, a total of 25 for men and five for women. Some 250 boxers will participate in the regional qualifier.

The first three ways to qualify for Rio 2016 were the 5th World Series of Boxing held in March 2015 (17 tickets), the Doha World Championship held in October 2015 (23) and AIBA (International Boxing Association) Pro Boxing held in September 2015 (20) for men.

In Buenos Aires, the top three in each group will be given the tickets for Rio.