BOXING: With just over seven weeks until the start of the 2016 Rio Olympics, a handful of Australian boxers are in Azerbaijan this week hoping to earn their ticket to Brazil.

Australia has already qualified male boxers Daniel Lewis and Jason Whateley, as well as female boxer Shelley Watts, and will be hoping to add up to another seven male boxers this week.

Almost 500 boxers from throughout the world will be competing for a total of 39 quota places remaining in Rio across all weight divisions.

There are two positions available in the 49kg division, in which Australian Commonwealth Games boxer, Josh English, will compete, while just one position is available in the super heavyweight division, where Commonwealth Games silver medallist Joe Goddall will be competing.

There will be five positions available in every other weight division.

David Biddle will contest the 64kg category, Harry Garside the 60kg division, Alex Winwood will box in the 52kg division, Fano Kori in the 69kg, and Jack Bowen in the 81kg.

Six of the Australian boxers competing in Azerbaijan this week boxed at the Asian Continental qualifers in China earlier this year, with Queensland’s Bowen replacing Victoria’s Matthew Sheehan.

This week will feature boxers who have not yet qualified for Rio through last year’s World Championships and this year’s Continental qualifiers.

The official weigh-in and final draw takes place on Thursday night, Australian time.

Ross Solly for Boxing Australia